New-York tribune., 1880-09-27
MISSION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Rer Dr. William M Parton at The FIRST Presbgteran
Church.

MISSION Ot lie IhBSDl SuOhNh'
The Rer Dr. william M Parton at te frSt PfesoHfra"
Church.
The Rev. DR.. William NJ. Paxton, pastor OF
the First Presbyterian Church. at Ffth-aye and
Eleyenth-st repeated yesterday the sermon which he
delivered before the PanPresbyteran Council at Phila-
delpha on the past history and future mission OF the
Presbyterian Church. The text WAS from Matthew will,
IL "And say unto you that many shall come from
the east and west and shall sit down with Abraham and
Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom Of Heaven" The
preacher said IN part:
These words were called forth by the expression OF
tho faith of the centurion. Others had been led to be
leve by coming in contact with the Saviour, but here
was one who said Speak the word only The manner In
which he reached this conclusion is plain he was him
self man In authority, and he came 10 believe that
Jesus had dominion all nature Tho faith OF this
heather was an example OF what was TO take place In
the world on larger scale May not say that this day
the Scriptures have been fuhledf Who are
these who have assembled at Philadelphia in
the Presbyterian Council Gentle believers In the
ngship OF Christ. They represent the thousands who
have been saved throughout the world through the
nreochng OF Gospel by those who were commauded
to 70 forth. They tell OF difficulties encountered but
also of success 50 mat today the decree snu III tn
earth. Tbs delegates came together not only 10 open
NOT assemble in any spirit OF narrow denominationa
issue. for recognize all branches OF the Evangelical
Church and cooperate with them Yet 1t must be re
membered that II Is Presbyterian Council assembled
to ask, What mission now Our future must be
snapea ne ro on ,%n onr has been Loyalty
10 Christ. Not distinction from other denominations
but this been characteristic OF the Presbyterian
Church. Tho question VINO Cnrist Is, Is ap4no a
aud the Church IT, according to the modern pbilosoph
teal theory Christ he recognized only as perfect man.
Won sink Hin the level OF humanity The declaration
OF Peter was, Thou art the Christ" There you nave
glorious persona very God and very man. This IS
the glorious person 10 whom the Presbyterians nave
been faithful Obscure Ills name and the Church sinks
into mbecity. , ,,, =,
Another characteristic OF the PRESBYTERIAN Church s
the pnrt have played rs witness bearers; We nave
tho testimony OF the whole family OF churches OF the
Reformation 20 the absolute supremacy OF the Bible
the voice of king. Is tho voice Of John knox.w-
nessng that Christ Ia King To-day the voices OF AL the
witnesses aro ringing In our ears.
do not caim IL TO be tho Catholic Church No Church
cau be such until Its doctrines are preached and ac
ceptod throughout the world But II Ia part OF the
arc catholic. The Presbyterian idea OF u Catholic
Church Church composed Of all those who believe In
Christ Tho Churchs power rests not In tho clergy but
IN people II s also catholic In its spirit OF charity
Its Willingness ~ cooperate Win EVah9euch Shrstans
OF every name
Again the Presbyterian Church has had an intimate
connection civil ana religious liberty 1t fact
that Presbyteranism has always been IN object Of
hatred 10 tyrans II there is liberty IN the Church
there is liberty State The nrst principle OF
Church embodies the rights OF the people and II the
Church power rests IN the people he Gyi msgistra,e
that John Calvin sowed the seeds OF liberty In Europe
bancroft says he who will not honor the memory OF
John Calvin knows but little of the origin OF American
liberty Other characteristics are ts educatonai spirit
and its missionary zeal . - r, . Ar,
What ought To DC done In tho future Follow In the
same line stand fast by tho principles OF religious
liberty cultivate the spirit OF missions ~ day OF
our plans and creed but by increased ACTIVITY Zeal anu
owe toward all men.