The New York herald., 1875-09-13
H AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN
FIFTH
CHURCH.

NECESSITY OF UNPREJUDICED SCRUTINY OF THE
scRrPTUREs-sERMoN BY REV. JOHN HALL.
The crowd Of worshippers that filed the Fifth
nue. Presbyterian church to overnowing yesterday on
the occasion Of The Rev. John Halls first sermon
since his return from his vacation, reminded one
strongly Of the crush at Plymouth church in BROOKLYN
In its palmiest days. The reverend preacher, who
appeared to be greatly invgoraed by his soourn
the theme OF his discourse the popular mis-
readings of the Bible.
THE STRUGGLE WITH TEMPTATION
AT the opening Of the Book Of Genesis of the Old
Testament, have episode of the temptation of
Ihe devil, and the same thing meets at The opening
Of the New Testament with regard TO Jesus They
afford striking illustrations Of the constant the never
seasng struggle with the ev-with the devil On the
side OF the devil we always meet sophstry-on tho
side Of Jesus simplicity. We sec this in everyday
hfe Vice has always many virtue has always
lew It is demonstrated in the temptations of the
devil for which he always able 10 suggest many
reasons
THE BEST GUIDE LIFE
The word OF the Lord sufficient TO give the rule
Of life without any subtle reasoning. But from the
cunning Of the devil, this guide which the Lord has
gwen US in the Scriptures may easily mslead u.s. We
may easily misinterpret and misread. In proportion to
Ihe authority which attach TO the Bible win be the
cunning with whom some people will use specous Bible
readings to lure 20 destruction, just fraudulent
money making schemes skilfuly advertised under
lhe very ngls Of religion in the religious newspaper.
But how are to the Bible arighty BY carefully
and sincerely comparing Scripture with Scripture
NECESSITY COMPARISON
When n man takes up the Bible with any prejudice
and disregard OF the Lord and comfort read
Ings into confirmation OF his erroneous no
comparison can, of course, avail him, for this deter
mined prejudice will prevent all appreciation Of the
truth revealed by God An idea is frequently better
presented by examples, and let give you some of
these. God is presented, for instance, as "unknow
on this ground that faith IN Him is prepos
ferrous But when turn TO the Gospel lind
that know God in hearts our Father, that
III hears cry that we can know Him IN Christ, and
that look Him and say, "Our Father who art
in heaven There difference between knowing
and knowing fully We can know God, but being finite
beings cannot fully know Him who Is infinite We
know the ocean we bathe in il, we can hold
tiny portion of in hands; but yet cannot pcne.
trate all It's reccsses We apprehend God, though
We cannot comprehend him.
THE UNITY OF THE GODHRAD
Another allegation in regard TO the unity Of God.
sfThcrc is only God" This statement is tortured
into n negaton of Christ But We find examination
that titles and attributes given TO the Son
md the Holy Ghost. IL Is true that there Is only
Jehovah but that Jehovah, in his nscrutabe mystery,
is Father Son and Holy Ghost.
We know much OF Chrst's personal history We
know Of His mother of His suferngs of His death on
the cross We read in the Gospel, "Bcfore Abraham
was ! am &c, ana by comparing we scriptures IN
this manner we find affirmation OF the true human
lty Of tie Lord
II expressly told that all things are determined
by Cod Now this idea is sometimes tortured into IA
alism People say .-'Wcl God determines all things
thore's no need OF exertiDg my own will or en-
ergyn Others torture IT into panihclsm Coo IS
everywhere they say; He is in the blade OF grass IN
the breath Of wind; lie Is In the murderer as well M
IN the saint This is perverting the truth. when We
compare the Scriptures we find that we nave grave re-