Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1884-05-08

possible was not, primarily, because some
thing was needed to exert mo1aI influence on
man; but yet Christ's life and death do
exert such an influence, and that
is in part what they were designed to do.
III. do not believe that Christ lived and
died in order to pay debt to the law; for
guilt is not a debt which can be paid by
another than the one owing it; neither is il
ANYTHING which can be assumed or trans
ferred: Il attaches to the sinner only, and
only he can bear its penalty. And yet be-
lisve that Christ's sufferings do in some way
take the place of our punishment and that
they are in that sense vicarious and expia-
tory.
". do believe that what Christ did and
suffered was necessary, because, in part al
least, that God both as ruler and especially
as person, could not forgives sin, and be
either satisfied with himself or just toward
his subjects. without also fully expressing
his adherence of sin. To do otherwise
would be to act as if there we're no difference
between guilt and innocence. But for God
to do that would be for him to belle himself
and to rnisIead his subjects, which is impos-
sibIe. :.
8. believe that this salvation from sir
through Christ is offered to al
on repentance and faith. Repentance
is necessary, for, except as the
sinner is sorry for his sin and turns from it.
he cannot come into friendly relations will
God, to whom his sin is unutterably abhor
rent. There can be no reconciliation be-
tween God and man till they are IS one II
their attitude towards sin. Faith is neces
sary, because the sinner must trust in Chris
to suspend for him the action of Gods Law
of retribution. No one but Christ can de
this He will do it for those who truly re
pent of sin and trust in him. Immediately
on such repentance and faith h'
d. he oakT nf
as to remove in Esrt g.. at leas
the feeling of guilt and in SO far as in par
at least to liberate us from the bondage Of
sin and from the love of it. The extent tC
which he can d@these things for as may b'
measured perhaps by the sincerity of our re
pentance and the absoluteness of our faith
We are hedged about here, and are very un
receptive of what he can do for us. I believe
that in the other world he will free US en-
tirely from the action of the law of retribu
ton, and permit us to dwell forever with
him in love.
8. believe that there is another and {
very mysterious element in this matter of the
souls salvation. We should know nothing
of it except as it is revealed in the Bible. Il
is the work of the Holy Spirit on the heart
Although man is undoubtedly able to repent
of sin and have faith in Christ of his owr
free will, yet he is so under the bondage Of
sin that he will not do this unless moved
thereto by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit
renews and sanctifies. Without him we
should do nothing acceptable to God. In the
constant and universal work of the spirit or
the hearts of men, trying to persuade but
not compelling them to be saved
love of God to men. Taken together
with Gods love in Christ it fills the world
with solemn grandeur. In a most distinc.
tive sense this is Gods world, for here he
shows his love most wonderfully.
10. The transcendent greatness of the
effort put forth by God, as Father, Son and
Holy Spirit, that sin may be forgiven in this
world, the exceeding Importance to men that
their sin should be forgiven, and the num-
bers who apparently go hence with their sins
unforgiven, suggest the inquiry whether
there will be opportunity for forgiveness in
the world to come. I feel very much at times
the pressure of this question in its relations
both to Gods justice and to the uncertainty
which hangs about the future of many per-
sons. Gould I be sure that the conditions of
the other world were such that pardon could
be offered there it would be a great relief.
But know very little about the other world;
too little to speculate on. It is all las trees
walking" Are the conditions for repent
ance and faith better there than here? Then
why does God imperil mems future by crowd
ing them as he does to decision here? Are
the conditions there worse than here? Then
what hope of repentance there if it be neg
lected here? I accept the Bible as revealing
Gods will concerning salvation. I open it
to get light on this question. I find running
through it decided, and, under the circum-
stances, tremendous drift of impression
that the offer of salvation through Christ is
an affair of this world only. I find a few
texts which may mean that it is an affair of
the other world also. They may also mean
something very different. I dare not as
sumo for ouch text a meaning contrary to the
whole tenor of scripture. Neither dare ]
presume on any conceptions of nay own as to
what think God might do. am estopped
from that both by the general teaching of
scripture and also because this whole world
is SO very different from what should ex-
poet. Goods ways are not as our ways, nor
his thoughts as our thoughts" Do imag CINE
that some people do not have a fair chance
here? I know so little about any PERSONS linn
itations and environment, SO little about bis
conscience or about Gods work on his
heart. that cannot tell what cons titutes a
fair chance for him. 1 believe in Gods
fair dealing with all men. know
that salvation is offered here and now. !
find no reasonable ground for hope that it
will be offered in the great hereafter. This
is sin. My relief concerning both comes
wholly from my confidence in God. God
reigns. God is love. Knowing that I am
content.
On motion of Rev Dr. Burton it was voted
to accept the expression of belief without ex-
animation. In private hearing it was voted
by an individual vote and many
expressions of admiration for the new pastor
to approve of his settlement at the church.
The council was then adjourned in order to
make way for the public exercises, which
took place after a collation. had been served.
The public exercises in the afternoon were
we'll attended, many New Haven people be-
ing present besides the members of the
church and congregation. After an organ
prelude and an anthem by the choir the min
utes of the council were read by
the scribe. Prayer and reading of ths
scriptures by the moderator and another an
them preceded the sermon, which was
preached by Rev. N. J. Burton, D. D.. pas
Tor of the Park church, Hartford. DIR.
Burton has been heard quite frequently in
his city during the past winter either as q
ecturer preacher. but at no time has he
made finer effort than in his sermon yester-
lay. His theme was "The Church of the
Living God" He told of the mission OF the
,hurch, its history. its glorious achieve
nents, and showed why the church
'ould justly be called the church
# the living God. A hymn was then sung
" the congregation, and Prof. William M.
3arDOur, II. d., pastor or the Yale cOlIeg6
hurch, offered the installing prayer. The
barge to the pastor was delivered by Prof.
timothy Dwight, D. D., of Yale Theological
eminary. He said the occasion reminded
i'm of the time when he preached the1e
bout twenty-five years ago. He exhorted
Ir. Blakeslee to remember that the chief
york of the minister is preaching the gospel.
he preacher should bring to the pulpit the
est of his thinking He should endeavor to
make his sermon fresh, strong and helpful.
'rof. Dwight also deprecated the growing
estlessness of pastors and churches which
threatened to make long pastorates an i'm
disability. An ode composed by DR.. j. G.
'arnett, the organist of the church, was rem
cred by the choir. Rev. Burdett Hart pas
Dr. of the First church in Fair Haven, ex-
ended the right hand of fellowship. He
aid that the Second church was formed by
pine members of his church, the First
hurch, and the, two churches had always
cen very closely united Although separated
y water they were united by ties of blood
D the name of his church and all the
nurches of the city he welcomed Mr..
Lakeside to his new passionate. He congrat-
lated Mr. Blakeslee on his faith, and said he
Zpected his help in many ways. The address
the people was given by Rev. Gurdon W.
Dyes, pastor of the church in Stony Greek,
Id formerly pastor of the Second church. |
e exhorted the people to give their pastor |
leir confidence, esteem and love Show him |
at you have deep interest in him. Pray |
II him and hold up his hands in every good |
ork that he shall undertake. The choir |
ndered selection from DR.. J. G. Barnett's |
atorio of the resurrection. The exercises |