Morning journal and courier., 1888-12-31
ANEw YEAR,s SERMON.

DP. Smyth at Center Chureh-The Be-
 ginning of Christ's G Gospel-Propaga.
 ton of Faith-A Personal Christ and
 Church-GFeat Reforms in Local and
 National Administration and Law
 The Church and Hts Duty In the
 Missionary Work and the Mission
 Societies Duty.
 A large congregation filled Center church yesterday morning. A New Years sermon was preached by the pastor, Rev. Dr. New man Smyth. He founded his remarks partly upon Mark 1, i; "The beginning of the gos- pei of Jesus Christ, the son of God," and,
 "Concerning all that Jesus began, both to do
 and to teach"
 After few words upon the closing of the
 year, the pastor continued: The gospel did
 not at first carry instant conviction, but at
 present it is the greatest power in the world.
 On this first Sunday after the advent we
 may inquire how Jesus himself expected his
 gospel to continue on earth. It was not to
 be transmission of abstract principle, it
 was to be a flesh and blood example Of
 Christ's teaching. It was, therefore, mo-
 meDt of exalted joy to Jesus when he per
 ceived in Peter his church established in one
 believing soul and continued in one strong
 man. The divine simplicity of Jesus per
 sonal gospel is wonderful. Remembering
 then that Jesus first founded his church in
 Peter's soul and founded his church in
 man, we must apply the vital
 tests of apostleship to our own personal
 lives Peters confession was not great one,
 nor did it express the exact phraslDg of his
 two natures He had recognized the spiritu-
 al lordship of Christ. He was still far flom
 understanding Jesus; he felt the divineness of
 his master, and he began to know what God
 is in all his spiritual spIendor. So practical
 ly must it be with us. There must be some
 personal sympathy on our part, otherwise our
 confession of God as Christ will be meaning
 less.
 The elemental, vital thing is not doctrine
 of the church or lyceum, but Peter's continu~
 al experience of Christ. Through our life
 what impulse has been received and trea-
 sured? The call of the world or the influence
 of Jesus? The strife and clash of self-interest or the higher voices of conscience and right? Secondly, the Gospel that Jesus founded on earth is continued in his church. Its continuation must be sensible and real. It is not a true church if it does not succeed to Peter's soul The spirit of the church must be in his possession. It is the first in which the church is consecrated and made living part of the body and Gospel of Christ. We ought not to tolerate any true form of matter that does not conseerate Christ as man and for man. It has been easy to raise the church as the humble place for God to 1 reign Service, suffering, death seem to ! have beer overlooked as the true offerings to the imperial Messiah.
 As look up to pulpits and over pews I sometimes have wondered whether the church ! in prosperity and wealth Gan ever appreciate the grand, self-sacrifeing service of the Mes- siah. The imagination of an ethereal Mes siah who is to live with his people and die for their sins is only the phantom of phari- see and not the thought of the true Christian heart.
 Thirdly, the gospel is to be continued in the collateral institutions of Christianity. Were there only one church in community these outside forms would be grouped around the church. But our churches of to-day are developed into an institutional Christianity. Yet it is a recognized and most necessary part and representation of Christ's teaching on earth. It is made custom of gatherings to inquire into these institutions and determine with systematic calculation what quota shall be given them. At all times, whether the amount of benevolence is more or less, 1t ought not to be an accidental thing tending ! to the impulse of the moment. Moreover, the management of these societies should be in accordance with the teachings of the gos- pei. No society can appeal to us unless l it shows to us that it is representing Christ ] in some systematic work. A benevolence even may sometimes need to be born again that with single eye it may see the king dom of God. Our local charities seem to be simple and of true spirit. The one mission ary work for men and churches to do IS to put men and women with gospels in their souls among the needy, and to keep them l there.
 It has lately been forced upon some of our ] missionary societies to support missions in 1 other lands by contributions otherwise than those of the regular form. It should be re- membered that the sole object Of the work Is l to send men with gospel in their souls and | not to found 8 theological school in Boston. Fourthly, the gospel is also in the State. | The chief battles of American civilization are to be fought in civil conflicts of sovsr- t~;es.>Ay- And ..a.seasl .ieht The r0sarzaa of | our local political centers sometimes seem weak and ensrvated. Msl. -1ould be more l than lockers on in municlpa affairs Our local institutions should be made sound and pure and the bar kept spotless, with no moral I deflements. Our public schools should be l maintained in moral toll, untouched | by sectarian ends; the stride of advancement kept open and free to all; l our newspapers put in the best light and encouraged if possible, to tell the truth; the hands of the administrators of the 1 law kept pnre and faithful by high power; ] the moral reform of election in 8 way to prohibit bribery and corruption; the laws against gambling made stricter. When a bet is degraded to the station of disrepute and gentleman feels insulted at the offer of wager, then will the doors of gambling, houses which lead to all kinds of vices, be closed far frmer than at present under the locks of our tax laws.
 Let me end by referring to simple Christmas test: Suppose we should live the year through and be ss happy as men are wno have led a good, Christian life; then our hearts would ioyfully admit that Christ was indeed born a savior, and his words,
 ''Ye are my disciples if ye continue in my work" be of marvellous moment to us.