The New York herald., 1876-09-04

not produce changelessness in man. Nan might
change IN the methods by which his work was done,
but God Proof OF lay the TACT that while
the Old Testament written centuries ago. It's great
TRUTH, Notwithstanding the centuries when nad
passed SINCE remained the same and were revealed
again Ia tie New Testament IL mad, and dd stii,
afford him great pleasure feel assured OF the fact
that Gods purposes in His declarations man, fore
saw and provided for the changes n mans existence
through all time.
He WAS and would be through all eternity. Men, he
thought, while advancing In knowledge OF the material
progress equally in their knowledge OF the spiritual
conditions which He had prepared for them. There
able evidence OF Gods power; and yet, wonderful
though It appeared to be- 1t WAS not a full display
for mans spiritual welfare was evidence OF s greater
power and mercy. In tact, II was only when God Him.
sell whispered TO US that were enabled to under
stand the wonderful greatness Of His care for us On
tins latter pEasc OF his discourse the preacher built
the position that faith is the substance OF things hoped
Tor. and that by faith we imperfectly found The
truths OF God We, unregenerated were
accustomed to look with our own eyes
upon the work Of God but 1t was only when VIC turned
the spiritual side of nature toward HIM that We
succeeded IN understanding Him. In conclusion after
vivid picture suGerings OF Christ The
and rapid review Of Gods mercies he called upon
his hearers to consider them and thereby learn how
much the Creator had done for them, both here and
hereafter
EIGHTEENTH STREET NJ. E. CHURCH.
GODS CARE OVER HIS PEOPLE GROUND FOR
GRATITUDE AND oBEDIENcK-sERMoN BY
fEv W. F. HATFIELD.
This church, which has been supplied during tho ab-
OF the pastor by Rev. I. b. smith well hlled
yesterday morning with attentive and fashionable
congregation. The text was selected from Genesis
xviii, 20-22-'.And Jacob vowed a vow, say ing II
God will be with and will keep IN has way that
20, aud will give bread to cat aud ranent to put
on, that again to my iathers house IN peace,
then shall the Lord be my COD"
This incident in jacobs lite, Mr.. Hatfield remarked
stands not alone. From that day to the present Gods
people have often sad whom they about to enter
upon piigr images engage IN important duties, III
the Lord will be with us aud give US protection and
prosperity then will we serve Him and consccrate TO
Him bodies, talents, substance-aL" several
weeks ago very many OF US went forth IRON homes
here 10 And homes elsewhere Tor brief period some
went among friends. near or remote; some 10 the
tented grove, to the Exposition their way TO
the Great West; some to quiet places far away among
the hills by the shore Some voyaged seas
while others lourneyed TO the mountains and all went
forth pursuit Of heal and increased vigor,
and escape noise and heat OF this great city.
Before out II not untrue TO ourselves Tor
gctul Of God. sought HIS guidance and protection,
and nromi,rd Him # He would care lor Us ana our
property behind and safely friends
and homes, we woula follow HIM more faithfully than
aud devote TO Him the residue OF our days. THIS
Jacobs life suggests the subject tor medi
tation this morning-God's caro- over us ground tor
gratitude and Obediencc.
gratitude to the Beng from whom he derives lie and
by whom that life Is prolonged. That is q weak argu-
ment advanced by inhdey against grateful rec0gni-
ton OF divine merces that II useless and waste OF
time, since the Almighty has nothing TO do with the
preservation OF human life; that this follows natural
law. and that governed by laws belonging the
realm OF matter and not to that realm which is IN
visible aud OF which nothing positive is known. But
the Bible teaches different doctriuo that God is
governor and preserver OF all things, and that His
providence is over HIS people, and, though the
good may fall by accident and by the hands Of
their enemies this does not initiate against
the fact that God does exercise over those
put their in Him. 1t is ground for obedi-
ence. God knows dispositions and weaknesses,
character FREQ agency to induce follow
Him. What more powerful motive could be presented
persuade to IA life OF obedience than the
His Heavenly Father exercises over Limy Is he in
pcr2 hand divine 10 Outstretchcd to deliver Is he
In need That same hand is open wide to supply his
wants. Is he trouble a1ictOnY A way is devised
for his relief and grace promised to comfort him in the
efforts promote the temporal and spiritual welfare
the Church. God calls upon US to take care OF the
interests OF Zion Jacob promised tho Lord that he
would give oretenth unto Him If He would 20 with
him and bring him safely back. II IS our duty TO give
more hberallJ the various charitable and religious
enterprises at appeal TO us for aid. Now is the
to labor Tor Christ At the beginning OF this
perod-after a of rest-it becomes every
tian enter upon the great work Of building up the
Redeemer's kingdom with renewed purposes conse-
Grafton and earnestnesa
The reverend speaker alluded to the Affections
had exper enced during their separation and reminded
them dark and mysterious as were the trials they
had experienced thcy would finally appear have
been for their eternal good