The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-08-18

9t0nQlUI tlc t89ItoslFc dttItutt Oh lGOu@h-
ism. aud the widespread prevalence Of in6del-
iry and other evils, this meeting looks with
perfect confidence to the coming of the time
when, according to the sure words of Scrip
ture prophecy, the earth shall be filled with
the knowledge Of the glory of God as the
waters cover the sea. lie said Ii is with
great reluctance that I appear this evening
to address few words to you, although it is
with my whole heart that l enter into the
objects you propose. But feel almost
physically incapable to address you as half
a century ago perhaps | might have done.
{" Hear, hear, and oheers) But though
feeble and withered, You must allow me TO
say just as much as viii 20 to indicate the
inteusest desire Of my heart. Alluslon has
been made to the reception Of the delegates,
ar6 70 the h6eraGy and hospitality With
witch strangers have been treated. have
TO say that / cannot sufficiently admire all
the. arrangements that the good friends IN
London have made, because London in this
respect is at last beginning to tread upon
the heels Of our good kinsmen across the At
lantic, whose reception of strangers Is some
thing magnificent. (Cheers.) / cannot help
referring for moment or TWO to our first
meeting the other evening, when the true
keynote was clearly struck IN the psalms
which were sung, in the Scriptures which
were read, in the prayers which were offered,
and, must add, in the remarkable address
Of DR.. Dykes. (Cheers The tact and
skill no exhibited, the spirit Of Christian
charity which breathed through the entire
address, were well fitted to attract the ad-
miration of all present. / hope it will be
published, and so further good be DONE
The resolution I have TO move Is a conclud-
ing one, and I may add that it might almost
be left to interpret itself. la thinking OF
the increase of Romanism, and OF the wide
spread pre7alenceof infdelty and other evils,
we seem to see an accumulation of evil such
as we have never witnessed before. But
notwithstanding the darkness around us, 1t
is gladstone to see that the light is breaking
and growing stronger, and this, too, In
manner that perhaps has not been witnessed
since the Pentecostal day. Hear, hear
1t would seem that the devil is now putting
forth all his force, as Christ is putting forth
his power. Some can only look at the dark
side Of the present state of things, but there
are others who ike to look little to the
bright side of the subject. [ confess | like
to look at both sides, and to turn from the
darkness to the light and to the truth
Hear, hear) We have not yet begun in
right good earnest to evangelist the world,
and We have yet to bring out more clearly
and cOnvincingly the relation of the Church
Of Christ to the evangehzation of the
world. Efforts on behalf of the unsaved
world should constitute the chief end OF
the Christian Church. l cannot help say
ing that, sometimes when l look at the
growing darkness around Us, my spirit
- oppressed, and | should be deeply
cast down were it not for the pale star OF
prophecy Whatever may be the turbulent
prospect by which brighter day shall be
ushered in, we ought not to relax one jot or
title of an assurance that even the most
glowing prophecies shall one day be fulfilled.
1t may be through times Of trial and dark
ness but of their accomplishment there can
be no manner of doubt. We may expect
troubles and trials that have never before
been experienced in the history of the world
we maT have much opposition to the truth,
and endless confusions of ignorance, and
of prejudice, and of worldly selfshneSs and
we NAV have to mourn over the way in
which Christian brethren have been wrOnged.
Yea, more than this, | state my conviction,
believing as LIDO that have the authority
Of Gods word for it, that the existing order
Of things throughout the world will come to
an end. believe that our ecclesiastical or
ganisatioOs may have to 20 down into actual
dissolution, so that there may arise new
Church, though not new ssen5ally, but a
cosmopolitan Church, bright and pure with
the light and love of its Divine Head
loud cheers.) To those who will only look
on the dark side, there may seem a success
sion Of towering mountains in the way; but
with the Bible in cur hands we can exclaim
TO one after another of these What nigh
mountain is this? 1t shall become plain.
(Cheers.) We ought to feel and may God
help US TO feel, that the Divine Saviour will
level these mountains BY the power of His
Spirit, and pour a plentiful efusion of His
Spirit and Of Divine grace over a ransOmed
world. To the eve Of sense all things may
look dark and the shadows of evening may
be creeping over ChristendOm. TIE sun
may be setting in a red and angry glow; yet
though all around the horizon the clouds may
look dark and lurid, and though in their
bosom may be the tempest that will burst
over and engulf the nations, yet very thank
ful we are that our star shines through the
gloom. All this and much more there may
be, and viii De. But what of all that? As
believers in Jeboyah's holy Oracles, we ought
not to be dismayed by the strugghngs and
perplexities around US. Notwithstanding all
the Tyndalls and all the infdels on the face
of the earth, we have no doubt and can have
none. Our cry is, Come, come, Almighty
Saviour Come in the infinite compassion
of thy .boundless benevolenee. Cone, Al
mighty Spirit of Grace, and let out hopes be
brighter than ever, and sueB IS they have
never been Let there be an end 70 the
night go dark and starless that has been
broodi0g over the nations and when the
gloom is thickest, and the rage of Satan the
6ercest, may our hopes be brightest and
strangest! Then, IN the dawn of millennial
glory, viii be seen the glorious oonsumma-
ron of the hopes Of prophets, aud apostles,
and martyrs, and confessOrs, who through
the ages to come viii speak His praise
Hear, hear.)
DR.. Rogers, of the Reformed Dutch
Church, U. s., seconded the resolution. lie
said the cause which they met TO inaugurate
this week was truly based on Gods sure
prophecies, and there could be no truer aud
immutable foundation. Hear, hear.) 1t
wa, however Of little use for him to enforce
thI doctrine before eoneregatiOn such as