National Republican., 1885-01-12

At Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church
the rector, Rev. Thomas Addison, d. d.,
yesterday morning preached an eloquent
sermon from tho 10Th and 18th verses OF
the drst chapter of Johns Gospel: "But
az many as received him to them gave no
power to become tho the sons Of God,
even to them that believe on his name:
which were born, not Of blood, nor Of tho
will of the flesh, nor of tho will Of man,
but Of God"
Of God. A heathen poet wrote, For We
are also his offspring aud tho holy
spirit by tho lips Of tho apostle to the
gentiles adopts and uses this utterauce rs
a fitting expression of great truth. The
divine word assures US also that wo arc
made in His image.
But It is not Of tn Is primal fact. but OF
the peculiar relation of ronewed and
Transformed soul to the divine Father
that the text treatg.
There is a vast difference between tho
two. Tho chemist tells us that the char
coal and diamond are both Of the same
carbon, but we recognize great difference
in their appearance, their enduring quail
ties, and in their value. So of higher
than o carbon brotherhood Is the receiver
and wolcomer Of tho divine Son Of God.
The words Of inspiration describe him rs
partaker of the divine nature; now
creature; born again. There has como to
the soul q real, conscious, ennobling
change-the change of which John speaks
in his epistle when ho says, "Behold
what manner Of love the Father hath bo-
slowed upon us that we should bo called
the sons of Godw This truth is so inn
portant that it occupies large. place in
the inspired word.
"The text corrects the Jewish idea that
divine paternity was Of blood. Impor-
tant as the blood Is In the formation and
transformation of the human body, the
recreation Of the soul In the divine char
actor can not have from IL its origin.
The descendant Of Abraham had much
to rejoice in as partakor with him of
the promises Of the holy oraoles. But in
the spiritual kingdom descent, even from
the Father Of the Faithful, is not enough
to ensure the blessing Of sonship with
God, And knowing that some OF the
wickodest characters in history have de-
scended from the best Of men, Christian
parents should not fail to bring their
children up to depend not on them but
on God.
The work OF Transforming tho soul Is
exclusively Gods own work. The great
truth shines forth from the text that,
while this adoption (or rather incorpora-
tion) into the family Of God is not OF
mans WILL nor within his power to ac-
complish alone, there is for man way of
its attainment-the new and living way
in the Son of God.
Man is living, acting, voluntary in
telligonce. Ho Is visited by ono who
comes with tho gift Of power. To every
one He gives the privilege to come, to
ask, to seek, to knock. And whosoevel
comes Is welcomed. He that asks re.
ceives, whosoover seeks finds, and to him
who knocks there Is an open door.
Man has power of will not indeed OF
himself to renew his nature. but he hai
the power to accept his wisdom his sano
tification and redemption. "The grea
lesson of the text" the preacher con
cluded. sis tho duty and privilege o
prayer. An exalted gift, even tho gift o
power to become son Of God-is t,
be had by every one-there is only on
condition, receiving Him who brings /
as the Son Of God, and depending on Hin
and following Him. The Divine Son o
God stands at the door of the humal
heart and seeks admission. VIII you re
fuse his unspoakable gift2 VIII you re
fuse to let Him enter2 Or will 20
throw wide the door, and, receiving Hin
become a new creature, partaker Of tn
divine nature, q son Of GodP"