Morning journal and courier., 1882-04-03
St. John Street M. E. Church.

fore conference on the Divinity of Christ. ; Tho church was crowded, many members of tho Jewish persuasion being present.
 In his prayer the preacher earnestly in- voked the aid of Almighty God for the re- lief of the Jewish people in Russia
 Before commencing his discourse Mir. Harris announced full choral Easter ser vice by forty voices on next Sunday evening, under the direction of Professor Jepson.
 h opening his discourse he said that many objections had come to him from his Jewish friends and others, with the request that he answer them. He said that his time had been 50 much occupied that he had not been able to make his answers, but would try and do so at some future time. Proceeding he said I shall this evening take exception to the trial and crucifxion of Jesus Christ. I 1 believe that Jesus was not put to death by Jewish people, but by an upper faction who were jealous of his success. Modern Juda- ism had no more to do with it than this con- gregation before me. Therefore I ask my Jewish friends to bear with me if I speak plainly. l know there is a difficulty in
 
 foreordination. But in the trial of Jesus there was free will, and while we admit this, we must not reject the foreknowledge of God. These truths are perfectly consist ent with one another. It may be that these two truths form paradox to foreordination. Regarding the trial of Jesus you have the whole scheme of human salvation. I desire to fbic five that modern Judaism had nothing to do with the trial, conviction and sentence of Jesus The preacher then described the court room where Jesus was tried, then the seventy-one judges who tried him, who he said were selected for their learning and piety The judges sat in semi circle, the high priest in the center with the scribes in front. The courts were usually held with open doors but on this oc- casion the trial was held in secret and Jesus appeared without counsel. I propose then, in an imaginary way, with all due deference to appear as counsel while you shall be the listeners to the trial The preacher then read the charges against Jesus, charging him with mingling with harlots and wine bibbers, publicans and sinners, and fin ally with blasphemy in claiming that he was the Messiah, the son of God The question is asked, are you guilty or not guilty. He hears the indictment in patient silence, but says nothing, knowing the judges are all against him. Tho trial is over and Jesus is sentenced to be crucifed and it only awaits the Roman seal to carry the sentence into execution. The judges are about to depart when a stay is demanded. I protest against this trial The law demands & days deliberation. The criminal has been tried at midnight. Again newly discovered evidence entities him to new trial. The prisoner not allowed to se cure evidence or see friends, and he was not to be convicted on his own confession Hav- ing made my protest I propose to review the evidence. You have required of the prison CT to state his doctrine and what he taught. You would not ask the people as to what he had done. You did it once and they replied, 'sWe find no fault in Him." o it was shame fully unfair because he would not swear to that that would take away hls life. I read from the record. 'Then they sought out false witnesses to convict Him." You sought them, yet their testimony was so untrust- worthy that 1t was of no value at ali. With 1 the ingenuity of islander they perverted their l meaning. They accused Him of saying, ''Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up again" But 1 it had no reference to the temple of Jerusalem, but only the temple of l his own body which, if they killed, he would raise again on the third day. He I came to give up his life for the world, but shall he give it up, the injust for the just :? ! No, it shall be the just for the injust. You ! proceed, and withssolemn mockery, and ad- dress the prisoner at the bar. What you have attempted to gain from your own wit nesses you shall draw from his own mouth You call upon him in the name of the living God to tell you whether he is the Christ or not. This is the final method you adopt to subvert the testimony of previous witnesses The answer brings everlasting life and peace to the soul. Speak now the prisoner must. If he answers in the affirmative it is to die the cruel death by crucifxion, and if he says no 1t is the same. It was crafty question. Now at this awful decisive moment the si- fence shall be broken. Now you shall not only hear 8 reply to your question but more than you have demanded. He answers, It is as thou hast said" He says unequivocally l am the Son of God. I may die, but you shall see me coming again in the clouds of heaven with all the holy angels. And then the high priest rent his clothes and says, Now you see | his blasphemy. You, sir, were the first to l exhibit your passion toward the Son of the living God. Behold now you say to your col
 leagues, what think you of this plaasphemy | You have heard it, and they all cry out
 guilty. o! is this the grand court of the Sanhedrim? What farce is this. You have l sought a pretense that he must die. He
 guilty? Look at him. Does not that face
 show the stamp of innocence and purity? o, | cruel men. Have your consciences become
 so torpid that you cannot see your great
 crime? But he shall be the judge in the end l and you the prisoners. He will come in the
 clouds of heaven and the glory of the father.
 Throw your doors wide open, witness for
 the Saviour approaches. It is the noble
 mans son. I was a maniac, but am now
 clothed and in my right mind. And you sir.
 l was poor paralytic and he healed me.
 And you sir Why, was sick with the pal
 sy and this man healed me. And you I
 am the poor boys mother that he raised to
 life And you! I am the one that touched
 the hem of his garment and was healed And
 you! 1 am the Lazarus that was covered
 with sores and was cured That will do, that | will do; no more witnesses. There is one 1 more It is myself, Jew like yourself. I 1 have felt the power of his saving grace. Give | thanks to God that Jesus died to save us from | our sins.
 | Second Church, Fair Haven.
 | The annual meeting of the Second Congre gational church in Fair Haven last Friday night occurred on the thirtieth anniversary of its organization, and of the dedication of their house of worship. The pastor, Rev.
 II. c. Hovey, presided, and reports were read by Deacon Lucius Rowe and Supt. H.
 w. Loomis, showing the statistics for the past year in the church and the Sunday school