Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1889-10-07

A Comprehensive Sermon by Rev. DR..
Newman Smyth-Two Great Ecclesi-
assical Bodies-Dlverslties OF Gihss
Hut Union OF Christian Purpose.
Rev. DR.. Newman Smyth preached an ad-
mirable and comprehensive discourse yeeter-
day forenoon at Center church from the
words in frst Corinthians, 10, a, o: NOW
there are diversities of gifts. but the same
spirit" etc. 1t was sermon breathing
noble Catholioity of spirit and full of I'm
pressiye thought. He referred, in opening,
to tho general convention of the Protestant
Episcopal church, now in session in New
York, and to the triennial Congregational
council, which begins Its sessions at Worces-
ter next Wednesday. The diversities between
these two representative bodies of large
Christian communions are apparent to the
casual observer. The one body meets with
more imposing rite and ceremony; 1t is
clothed with legislative authority; 1t repre-.
sents the unity and strength of an organized
Christianity, pervaded and elevated by the
consciousness Of organic life. The other body
is also representative, but IL Is without au.
thority over the churches in whose name it
assemblies. 1t has no dignity save that of its
own great simplicity; without organic unity
II gathers the free forces of Christian
brotherhood, which is pervaded and elevated
by Q common spirit of one service of man and
God. The diversities which are apparent at
the first glance between these bodies of men
will be found to penetrate into every deliber-
alton and to distinguish their mode of appre.
bending every subject which may be brought
before them.
In the similarity of questions which ap-
peal to these historically opposite bodies of
Christian men, the speaker saw first the ten
denotes towards future unity in questions of
church government. The Congregationalists
he also saw an unmistakable impulse to unite
in happier combinations their own working
forces of Christianity. Another significant
eign of the working of the same spirit is to
be seen in the present discussions concerning
the worship of churches. Is 1t not deeply
significant also, said he, of the working and
diversities of gifts of the self.same Spirit
that this subject of the enlargement and en-.
riohment of public worship is now occupying
to such an extent the thoughts of Christians
In different communionsl On our
part 1t is decided sign of
approach towards that true Catholicity
which was once lost when Rome succeeded
in making one visible church, and which can
only be regaiued upon the highest plain of
Christian worship and love. And still an
otner Important Sign OF the WORKING OF the
same spirit will be found in the fact that
those two bodies of men are providentially
called to face the same urgent social prob
lems, and beyond and above all matters per-
tanning to these special ecclesiastical affairs.
to rally and marshal the forces of Christiani.
~ against kindred powers Of darkness and
destruction.
How to keep business honorable and
wholesome; how to counterfeit the tendency
of wealth to heap itself up in a few vast
menaoing sums, and preserve to every hon.
est, temperate and frugal man fair chance
to make home for himself, to earn enough
to live in 1t, how to put the saloon under the
best possible police regulation, while men
are taught self.restraint, and the moral
forces are kept playing in and out of society
to keep 1t sweet, pure and beautiful; how
not simply to convert here and there q
soul, but to redeem a community, to build
up city In righteousness, to make q peo.
pie holy; such are the moral and religious
problems whose pressure surrounds our
churches, and which the wisest aud most de-
voted men and women feel most profoundly.
These are more than questions of creed, or
ritual, or ecolesiasticions; they are the essen
tial social problems of the kingdom of God
on earth,