Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1884-04-07
United Chu ch.

Rev. DIR. Newman Smyth breaches the
FIRST SermOn-TOpic, the Expectancy of
the Church-RecOEnitfon Services by
the Council of the Old Third and North
Churches.
The first sermon to the United church was
preached by DIR. Newman Smyth, who con-
Quoted the forenoon service yesterday. The
anthem of praise after the singing of the
doxology, the morning invocation and the
Lords prayer, repeated in concert as usual,
was rendered with much animation and ex>
cellence. For the morning lesson the first
chapter of Ephesians was read. Its author
itative exhortation to walk worthy of the
high vocation of our Christian calling, to
reach the stature of the fulIness of Christ, to
be kind, tender-hearted and forgiving,
seemed exactly appropriate to strengthen
the union of the two churches. The same
thought and expression pervaded the
prayers. The thirteenth verse of Heb. K.
was this text: tFrom henceforth expecting
till his enemies be made his footstool." The
expectancy of the church of Christ was the
subject of the discourse. Tracing this char
acteristic of the people of God from their
earliest history the speaker showed that since
our Saviour's advent the expectant state of
Gods people was more manifest than ever.
Though his kingdom comes not by observa-
ton, the signs of the times can be clearly
discerned. As in the first seventy years of
the Christian era the gospel was preached
throughout the then known world, SO espe-
cially in the last seventy years all nations
had been Joined together into one and parts
the most remote had all been brought near
Every kindred and tribe and nation are now
looking for the coming of Christ, for the
reign of peace and good will The disciples
and earliest apostles of our religion looked
for the immediate second coming of Christ.
The speaker pictured the ancient, and all
other beliefs than Christian, as taking the
form of one looking backward with the head
turned over his shoulder, while the form of
true religion looks right onward and upward
to its source in a brighter and better world
beyond. Fortified by the past it presses on
to be crowned with life everlasting when
death itself is numbered with the experiences
of the past. Excellent lessons suited to the
union of two large historic and honored
churches were given in the sermon. The hymn
stBlest be the tie that binds" and the others
as fifty chosen were sung, one by the choir
and two Joined with the congregation, with
pleasing effect. The seats il the body of the
house were well filled Harmony, good feel
ing and satisfaction were expressed by all.
The services of recognition by the council
called to act on and ratify the union of the
North and Third churches were last even
Ing ne10 at the Oiu NOEtu cuUrcu Inc
moderator Rev. Timothy Dwight, D. D.,
called for the reading of the minutes of the
last meeting of the council. They were read
from the pulpit by the SCRIBE the Rev. E. E.
Atwater. After prayer and singing the
moderator gave the first address of recogni-
ton and welcome to communion and fellow
ship of the sister churches. President Porter
was first introduced and in fitting terms Of
encouragement and advice made a cor
dial recognition and welcome to the new,
''the United church" He alluded with much
feeling to his long friendship with Dr.
Cleaveland before and during his long pas
torate over the Third church. The Rev.
DR.. Todd was next introduced, and as the
senior minister of the denomination gave the
new church kindly and affectionate vel
come He hoped it would never break in
two, but would grow to such fullness as to
send out new swarms for strong and useful
new churches in our city. Rev. T. r. Bacon
as one of the council was introduced as next
to give welcome. His pleasant
most call out a round of applause,
which was reproved. The great church
earthquake had reached beyond the city's
central squares, to the Dwight Place church,
and shaken apart the pastor and people SO
far that they might not again meet in union,
DIR. Newman Smyth made the closing ad-
dress. Good naturally abiding to his occu-
plying the pulpit in the morning service, he
gave a cordial sincere welcome to the new
United church. The Center could now con-
fdently advance powerfully supported by the
grand old Episcopal church on the right and
by the new one of redoubled strength on the
left. The services were very fully attended,
acceptably rendered and received.