New-York tribune., 1891-03-07
PROF. BRIGGS AT ST. GEORGES
A HEARTY WELCOME FROM DIR. RAINsFoRD
PRACTICAL THOUGHT on GREAT DOCTRINE

PRACIlCAL THOUGHT ON GREAT DOCTRINE
DISCUSSING LIFE WITH GoD."s
Professor c. A. Briggs preached last evening in St.
Georges Church. In Stuyvcsant Square, the fourth in
series Of Friday evening Lenten sermons by non.
Episcopal cersymen. Next week the Rev. Thomas
Dixon, ir., Is the preacher. The audience last even
ing flied the body of the church. DR.. Ransford
conducted the devotional service preceding the ser.
mon, and presented Dr. Briggs with these words:
" 1T is not necessary for me to introduce to New.
Workers the Rev. Or. Briggs, OF the Union Theological
seminary, but cannot let the opportunity pass with.
out expressing to him how thankful all thai
he has stepped out of the arduous duties which press
upon him at this time TO come TO preach 10 us this
Friday evening"
Dr. Briggs chose for his theme "The Life Hid with
Christ in Gcd,' his text being the third verse Of the
third chapter Of the Epstle TO the Colosians le arc
dead and your life is hid with Christ in Cod Tho
sermon was practical the aim Of the speaker being W
lead his hearers to more consecTated hie The
passage he said, is difficult one, because 1t presents
doctrine infinitely great. 1t describes an experience
which transcends that OF the ordinary Christian Under
a variety of symbols this truth is expressed, Jesus
calls Himself the vlne and the disciples the bFaiches
Ue is the head and they the body lie Is 'hS
foundation OF the spiritual temple, the hsh' aho
centre of the City Of God The life Is d no" Deoau''
Christ is hidden. lie is on the heavenly thfohe'
From whom Is the life hidden! Not from uou, ho'
from Christ not from ourselves, DuI iIVhi 'AN "V~'
After discussing briefly the reality OF the spliltuA
and heavenly life the preacher eXhorted Ills heafcs
~ make that reality part OF their everyday eAper
once He expressed the fear that many KNOW ud
only as the God of history they must DO more lhey
uust know Him as a living and present God ana lay
hold Of Him. He must be nearer TO them tiah Ihe ar
,bev breathe Unless the Scriptures have thuS 70
vcalcd God TO the believer, he cannot nave Inae CA
rcnce in his soul that his life Is hid with Chfist IN
cod The same Is true Of the son ot Dou' 1o many
Io ia the Christ of history-notMnS more. Du' io'
+bose who know Him only as such, tle piSssed ca
rorionces of q life hid in God must 10 aoselt'
- oI tbe doctrine of the Holy spri1'
noidos the scriptures another means OF grace Is una
|hig+,,p Church The low level on winch many
christians live was depored and those present "e''
urged 10 use every endeavor TO ascehd lhVo VIC 'oJ
court Of Heaven. The speaker drew VNiu p'Vuia
here: he imagined all the members oi e'oiS u"
nomination gathered in vast cohsresduon ." INV U.'
tamne in the centre OF which is the Living God Inc
templo is made up Of many rooms ana m ihS oou,s @ %
I'm ibc outer court are the majority OF inc cohsres%
ZION some fearful OF approaching nearer some ohoushS
less many admring the structure, dlu % ~ cenrs
nearer the centre he finds III each sue
fewer people and only a few, d very lew hn'o"'s
at the feet Of God. , - .r. of crocs
already mentiOned-the Bible ana tle Snuruni Snin ~.
Vriycs emphasiZed q third the peTsOhdl eAP
Of The individual believer. The man WHO aePeIms PT
only upon the first two will lind tlehl Only orueoo,
Lat tho ora was near at hand when Christian Sincu
ucatOn would be the rule and not Ille eN1sP.o.i @
Tho leaders cannot far ahead OF tlier iOiione'e
but the day is near when the ideal VIII be rea!zea'