Year: 1873




eration-Sermon by the Rev. DIR. Robert
Given, United States Navy Chaplain.


LONG BRANCH, AugI$t 81, 1873.
Summers closing Sabbath, and bringing with il
essentially the close Of the fashionable season here
though many will remain for q month longer to en-
joy the glorious beauties Of the coming month at
the sea shore, and really, people only knew to-
the most enjoyable month to spend here, fou. u
large and fashionable congregations at all the
places Of worship. The pre-eminently fashionable
people most largely attend, however, the Sea
Side chapel, and this Notwithstanding they are
called on regularly each Sabbath to add their con-
tributions toward lessening the incubus of debr
still remaining on the church. After the PREDATORY
exercises this morning there was the usual appeal
ior contributions The encouraging fact was stated,
however, that the debt of $1,000 existing at the
opening of the season, had been decreased more
than onehalf, and the confident belief expressed
that another season OF like liberal contributions
would find the debt all paid. The sermon was
preached by Rev. Dr. Robert Given, Chaplain of the
Naval Asylum at Philadelphia His subject was
regeneration, and the basis OF his discourse the
text John ill.,, 3-"Except man be bOrnagain he
cannot enter the kingdom OF God" The
text, he began, was very familiar one.
No one could live In this world without
perceiving evidences about him OF the





with death staring one in the face each one asks
himself the question what is to become of him
after death' Those Of them believing in the divine
authenticity OF the Scriptures attach the utmost
Importance to this question. Such Of US know that
1t


NECESSARY no BE BORN AGAIN.
No matter how successful man is in this world.
how large his wealth. how high his social posi-.
tion how resplendant his talents and great his
fame, he loses his soul, to him life II
great failure. Now what is 1t to be born again
Some may think this second birth great mystery.
1t was not 80. 1t was simple and within the COM
prehenson Of the most stupid 1t was matter
clear to the intellect. This change is a radical
change. 1t is called in the Scripture some times
conversion, sometimes sanctifcation, sometimes
redempton ~ 1 SIMPLY change He did no!
to do with the outward man. no further than the
outer life is linked with the spiritual lile The
appetites and passions remain the same. Its great
feature Is change in mans relation to God,


MAN IN HIS NATURAL STATE
blood Of Christ BY the agency Of the Holy Ghost and
q great change comes over him. While In China,
heavens e to Sesu nature e all him in 'S
convince him or the existence OF q God. The
heather looked at him biankly, and such is the
God, stated In the Scriptures. Dwelling lurther
on this point, he showed how the memory
concepton com 5 Of e'eo Cod. Men remembered % wSas
they were interested in. II he should tell q udi-
and remember him on account OF the ASSOCIATION:
but he verify believed that there were many Iistenss
ing to his sermon who could not tell where his text
was. II man loves God he will be interested inb
all that concerns Gods work here The man who IN
the rebellion offered his fortune and his life to his
country was the true patriot such man loved
his country and esteemed no sacrifice too great 10
his country's behalf Conversion makes one child,


A CHILD or GOD.


This was the whole process Of being born again.
II the sinner gets within the shadow even OF the
Cross the blood of Jesus cleanses from all SIM Con-
verted we become co-hers with Jesus Christ some
plead that God Is God OF love and mercful, and
that for this reason all mankind Will be saved Many
think II they can only get through the gates and
enter heaven they will be all right no matter how
sinful they have been. This Is mistake for the
sinful, unregenerated man heaven would be


THE HOTTEST HE'LL


imaginable. There must be no sin there. If there,
was no sin In this world this would be as good a
could not Withstand the gaze of God and he would
be thankful Tor hell to screen him from that gaze
III we could get into heaven without the prOpeE
moral ntness we would be most unhappy. Talk
OF GOis love. IL would not be love to HIS chdrer2
to admit the unsanctihed into His presence and
faithful followers. There is no other name given
under heaven by which we can enter the Kingdom
Of God. The


EVIDENCE OF CHANGE


is that we have changed from alienation TO close
relationship with God. Now then love God and
trust In him. 1t was this trust In God that made
the late Admiral Farragut, under whom he had tha
When chded for his reckless exposure of his life he
said "f God Wills that shall be killed Will and NJ
not shall be unharmed. I shall do nv duty and
leave the rest IN his hands" 1t was in this spiriS
ne counselled III conclusion, thcI should discharged
LIES duties.