New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-26
DUTIES OF PASTOR AND PEOPLE.
Ths Rer. William huntington, D. d. at The Cit0n -irenu
Congregational Church, BrooLtyn.

tn, Rer. William Tres Budiagon, D. d. at ne Cion ,irenps
Congregational Church, brooklyn.
The twentieth anniversary of the Rev. DR..
Budngtons pastorate, in the Clinton Avenue Congrega
tional Church, was celebrated yesterday, and a
memorative sermon was preached in the morning. The
church, at Clinton and Lafayctteayes, was well filled
Dr. Budin gtOns was based on Corinthians w.
"Let man so account of us, Of the ministers OF
Christ and stewards OF the mysteries of God"
The religion OF Christ said the preacher. is a mys-
terry in the in which that word used by the sacred
wrters-as something that they did not know but which
God revealed by special revelation Christianity is sub
stantiaed by miracles, and by the greatest Of miracles
the resurrection OF Christ, the becoming seal OF His
life character, DEATH and entire manifestation 1t
true that the laws OF nature are never interrupted but
sustain continuous uniformity The testimony OF the
Church contradics this. Ii rests on the fact
that have revelation in Christ. II is nothing IL it
is it true that nothing exists except matter and the laws
OF matter. Thoughts and feelings are real trees
and stones There many evidences OF spirit OF
matter. Nothing is certain thought, for by it we
know things. II all testimony were against miracles, II
natural laws were uniform II we knew only nature and
nothing spirit angel, If Christianity Is incredible,
then only do we take away the grounds on which religion
rests The Church tesrs To its supernatural origin, its
history confirms II, and the experience Of every man
makes il a living reality.
precious thing earth IL cost the most That is what
precious means price is involved In it, The price OF
the Gospel Is miracle and the greatest OF miracles God
manifested In the flesh. The word Gospel signifies glad
udings. II belongs to the New Testament prominently
Epise To the Hebrews we read that the Gospel was
preached TO those who knew God only in priest and
ritual and fiery sacrifice The Gospel began with the first
promise that God made to man. and that, you remember
followed close upon the first IL is good tidngs
from Heaven OF God and of His mind aud will respect
ing us. This Is the most precious revelation or God
and shows His love nothing else can. Nothing IN con-
nection with God l. great that He $50 loved the
world give His only begotteu son to die for H. and
did not spare Him: lie is great in His government OF
mankind aud in dis laws; He sheds abroad the sunlight
beautiful and commemorative morning and IN the
silent night watches He gives the light Of moon and stars
He ordans for sowing and reapng He dispenses
good those that good, and evil for those that disc
bey When all these fail to make happy lie Is moved
to introduce system OF forgiveness conserving
the ends both OF public justice and Of private compass
sion There Is good IN nature in the laws OF human gov
eminent, IN rewards where they are deserved, and III
punishments where they due. But there Is higher
good in special grace The light OF the Is blessed but
the light OF the OF Righteousness is more besved
The morning Is sweet when jocund day stands misty
on the mount tops :" but IL Is mornng risen noon
when God himself appears. The voices Of father and
mother sweet but 1t Is sweeer far when God speaks
IN the Eden planted in the East, or when again Hi'
voee sounds irV heaven on the cars VI the wondering