Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1884-02-18
Trinity M. e. Church.

Conan mora1ive Sermon by Rev. Dr.
GoodseII in the AIorntng-The Evening
Praise Service Postponed on Account OF
the Storm.
Yesterday was the first anniversary of
Trinity NJ. E. church in their new house OF
worship, and the occasion was celebrated by
q commemorative sermon preached by the
pastor, Rev. DIR. Goodsell, in the morning.
The attendance was large notwithstanding
the Indictment weather. The text of the
morning was selection from the 9th verse
of the oath chapter of Genesis: ST being in
the way the Lord led me-" The doctor, in
commenting upon the beautiful story from
whence the text was taken, said: Here was
man sent upon mission by his master, the
object of which was the union of family ties.
The mission was accomplished successfully
because the work was deemed important,
and il is only when We estimate rightly the
true line of duty that we can expect final
success. When we make life little it is lit
tie; but when We see the dignity of our
tells us that 'this ways are
not as our ways, nor his thoughts like our
thoughts While we know this we do not
always acknowledge it. We have to confess
that there is an element OF mystery which
surrounds US. When We contemplate his
greatness we are not to belittle his work be-
cause we do not understand it. Do not look
at the follies of men, but see the better side
of human nature developed by God himself.
We are constantly making mistakes, yet we
know Gods ways are holy. We see men who
are prosperous in worldly goods, but many
times devoid of the peace of an enlightened
conscience. When we look back over the
history of the world we see how men planned
and failed and how they prospered. The way
Of God is generous, bount1ful and holy.
God sustains the universe and directs the
affairs of his children, lifting up
those who are cast down, helping us
in bearing our burdens. AS We
study the character of Jesus we stand awed
and amazed at his goodness. Gods way can
be discerned in this world and he will help
us to walk therein. The spirit of obedience
must ever be before us. We should be con-
tent in knowing that God is leading US. There
are passive attractions well active at
fractions, and it is sometimes as necessary to
stop and think as to go forward. As we
look back We see how strange the pathway
has been to US. None of US would have dared
to mark out our own way and yet through
out all our career we can see that there ls
mission; we can only rest upon this fact,
that Gods ways are best. Not what We do
for ourselves, but what We do for others is
what tells upon our Christian life. One year
ago to day we came into this church,
and to-day it stands out as monument to
your generosity. You have tried to put your
selves in the way of the Lord. and the Lords
blessing has been added to you. This then is
the foundation of our success. Union of sem
timent has had its reward. God has opened
the way and hath directed our work, and
when look at the cares and Rnxieties of the
year just closed the words of our text come
with peculiar beauty and force, and we know
that the covenant of the Lord is to them that
fear him. The pastor made closing appeal
to the membership urging still greater dill
gence in the Lords service so that the hand
which had guided them in the past might
still be their guiding light in the future.