Morning journal and courier., 1885-05-18
YALE THEoLoG1oAL SCHOOL.

The Anniversary sermon By Rev. pr.
 Coe, of New York City-Address To
 The Theological School of Yale-The
 Anniversary Exercises This Week.
 The anniversary sermon of the Yale The oIouical school was given last evening in the Center church by Edward B. Coe, D. D., cf secretary of the American Home Missionary society, made the opening prayer. The Yale theological students were present in body in the center aisle. A number of the faculty were present on the.platform. Dr. Coe took his text from Matthew, 13, 52: Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the Kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is householder which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old" There was teaching which distinguished him from the scribes with whom he must have been ranked in the ministry. He was regarded as Scribe if not so called. In this chapter he compares his own work and so by infer ence the work of Christian teachers in every age The comparison is strikingly true and has much in it that is old. The old laws are presented with no subtitle casuistry. not as rules of conduct, but to be incorporated into the life of every penitent heart. Like every true teacher he taught the supremacy of character. The doctrine ''Be ye perfect' is as old as the race. Christ gave new clear ness and depth to the doctrine of worship; he made it universal and by precept and exam pie extended the worship of God He start ed a new era in the sphere of thought. He showed us not only the father but the son. These were placed in such a new light that men thought that they heard for the first time.
 Tie frin o'off fbo ho11- iriR Ix, revealed the personal existence Of the divine being and instructed us to wait for his con- ing. No scribe gave such sacred truth for Christ brought them forth from his infinite knowledge
 Christ drew aside the veil that separates us from the unseen world and has shown us the judge exercising his power with love and pity, but with hostility to sin. Christ de- picted to us the glory that lies beyond. His public ministry was followed by four great events that possessed strange reality and power after their occurrence. The cru cifxion at the moment struck the people dumb with amazemert and despair. It was one of the new facts to which they bore wit ness and can never be. severed. It was known that the resurrection had taken place for the risen Lord and the sepulchre had been seen. Its effect is life and immor- tality to all. Christ assembled but he did not cease to live; he gave pledge of his
  These.were new things to publish to the world Nothing but the spirit of God could give such insight to truth and the modes of presenting it. Therefore the holy spirit was given to formulate and proclaim the truth and the truth itself was new. There is pow er in conviction, but more power in facts.
 Now the volume of the book is closed, but the work of the ministry goes on. The work of redeeming love is accomplished and con- plete. The volume is strangely composed and we can find no new doctrine ill it. No where can we discover new conception of God. Though new aspects are unfolded the one great fact is not subject to change. We cannot find in the volume further disclosure of the nature of man and his rela- tions to God, his fe bowman and the here after. The. history of the Bible stands changed be it true or false Theories may change, but no new ones can be derived from the Bible. What, then, is there left in the treasure house of God2 First, one can get 8 new and more profound knowledge of the Bible itself. It is building of God, though consecrated with human hands. Its foundation is buried in the mounds of the history of ages past. It is not the work of ministers to pull it to pieces and build it again, but reverently to remove the coating of earthly tradition which has been deposited upon it. The Bible is not mate rial structure, but living organism, like the
 
 strength. It is record of inspired deeds and words. Thus the work of the Christian preacher to-day is scientific, exploring the new phases of truth in the Bible and dig ging for the new truths in the foundation. Besides, the truths found in it are also con frmations of other truths elsewhere discov- cred
 The Bible is not the only treasury of truth, but it is the chief one; book whose treasure is so varied and inexhaustible must be from God, word of life to all the world. To be the interpreter of this word is of the highest honor; there is no nobler or reward ing work. As voting men go into the re- responsibilities of the ministry they must re- member these facts and also the one "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and thy neighbor as thyselfi" these who keep this Goramandment the sane shall be great In the kingdom of heaven" The prayer was offered by President Porter.
 Wednesday evening the services of ordain- ing Mrs. E. E. Aiken, who will soon go as a will be held in the Battell chapel, Rev: Joseph p, Twitehell, of Boston, will deliver the ordination sermon. Fhe an niversary exercises of the Divinity school will be held on Thursday morning at 10 o'clock at the same place.