The morning times., 1897-02-15

The New York Avenue Presbyterian
Church was thronged yesterday morning,
the occasion being a sermon delivered there
by the Rev. W Merle Smith, D. D.. the
learned pastor OF the Central Presbyterian
Church OF New York. The occasion had
also probably an additional interest from
the fact that Mrs. Cleveland is a member
OF the congre CATION Of the Central PreSby-
terian Church, and it was expected that
she would attend the services. Those VINO
took this special interest, or both the
interests mentioned, in the occasion were
not disappointed either in the presence Of
Mrs Cleveland OF the excellence Of the
discourse.
Mrs. Cleveland was attended to church
by Mr.. Perrine, her stepfather. who is a
guest just now al the Executive Mansion,
where also the Rev. DR. Smith is staying
while in town. Mrs. Cleveland was dressed
IN black velvet, her hat being Of the same
material, with black tips and single band
OF the universal green.
Dr. Smith is well-knowu to the theo-
logical world from Iis writings and CON
troversies in tile councils OF the church,
and is regarded everywhere as one Of
tie dearest. and at the same time one
OF the most progressive, and therefore
aggressive, thinkers OF the church Dur
ing his sermon yesterday lie took occa-
sion To cnucise the commonplace in thought
and treatment OF tie serious subjects Of
life and religion
His theme was The Power Of an End
less Life lie suggestion being from the
.pistlc @ tie Hebrews His prayer con
tanned references to tie Presidents, re-
firing and elect, and aspirations Cor their
success and for the safety Of cur inSti-
:uuons under our form Of government
He would leave tire common ruts. he said,
In treating the power OF an endless life,
and to simplify the discussion he would
eliminate death, as merely an incident;
and time, in its place substituting eternity.
The span OF human existence he COM
pared with infinite time or the approach
10 infinite time by showing the immeas-
urable lengths OF tine it requires for light
20 travel to US from even the nearest
Of the fixed stars.
He then argued that the doctrine OF free
viii IL unteHarle by those VINO must admit
casual relation between the present. the
past and the future. He held that it is
impossible for one to change ones charac-
ter instantly. OF tomorrow or next day,
and so il may be assumed that the present
character is the promise OF the character
and whole life OF the future. The past
sven, cannot stand alone, because it must
De dominated by tie CoerCing power Of
lie fuiuH.. 20 the past stands over Us ike
tyTant Tire sins OF the past may have
been forgiven, but the fact of forgiveness
stands over US like tyrant. Free Will
then. is all nonsense. Man is a slave To
the past. Let him get away from it if he
can. Nor is IL to the point that ne has
created that despptiSm himself.
But God can Change the way of life that
under natural circumstance would be inthe
future as in the present, and has been in
the past It made the speakers blood run
cold, he said, to hear apologies for Young
men sowing their wild oats, for is it not
absolUtrely true. as lie had argued, that
tire scars and marks OF the past remain.
Dr.. Smith then discussed the reactiyt
power Df the future on the present
and considered tie power Of the endIes:
life as the aTbiter of human destiny here
;ud hereafter. ~. then. human character
in the nature OF things, must 20 on after
the sleep Of death just the same, could
we bear 10 have it So? Could we survive
under the certainty that the hopelesSness
was growing darker and despair was ever
increasing. The horror Of hell could not
exceed such conviction.
The endless life was safe, therefore. only
in Christ, and with that understood il
should ha~e no terror for the children o
God