ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5467, 27 August 1879, Page 1 (Supplement)

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH. TO THE EDITOR.

Sib,—This congregation, after an uphill strangle of 18 years, has scoured at last a most excellent pastor. He is a living realisation of Dr Arnold's teacher.,-He reads aod studies continuously, and thus, his mind is liko a running stream, net a stagnant: pond. .Conaequentlyhe has' great'y improved since his induction. List Sabbath I went again to hew him. He read * the grand old 48th Psalm (Luther's favourite), and the sublime language of the 60th ohapter of Isaiah; alao, a chapter from. Ist Corinthians,and one from Revelations. The text was selected from Luke, ohapter,ii, verse 34 and last clause—"This ohild is set for a sign, wbioh shall be epoken against." It forms part of Simeon's prophecy in the Temple Christ experienced reproach and con radiotion, penecution and deatb. I Hie life His lubwquent history wae ample

sonfirmation of Simeon's prediction. He wa% like all man of transcendent genius, preeminently bom "for the fall and rising,«f many in Israel." The reasons are obvious why he encountered^ from the cradle to the cross, such bitter hoetility; - also, why Christianity ; has exoited the hostility of every age. There was somsthlnf more than; ordinary. about the personality of Chrißt. His doctrines, notwithstanding that they have been assailed in all ages, like • Phoenix, continually arise in fresh splendour from the fires, of persecution. They are, te* day, translated into 200 different language*. Mr Waddell quoted, in reference to Christ aa£ His life and doofrine, Shakespeare's word*, Can suoh things be, and overcome us like a - summer's cloud,:without bur special wonder?" „.•■.'.'.• , •■.*.■,',,

The reverend, gentleman expatiated elo* quently and philosophically upon the diitinetive characteristics' of Christ's.- life and character..*

I. His teaching was intensely dogmatic an 4 absolutely original. "Never man spake like this man;" "He teaohes with authority, ani not as do thO scribes';" "Believe my words, oa be damned j" fitly embody his style of pro-se-duce. He was a stern—yea, the sternest— censor. A Boman could say, "Live as if th* eye of Cato were upon you." But Christ told His hearers to live in. the light of the. oatni*. ciant and omnipresent Eye. He.set Himself up as sovereign arbiter of man's life and deetiny. He claimed to be the future judge of men. There were then, as now, only two alternatives open for men in regard to Him t either to accspt him aa their God and Saviour, or to put him down as a blasphemer and impostor. '.** 11. The principle that is to determine the conduct of the future Assizes He laid down, authoritatively, to bs the acceptance or rejection of Him and, His message from God to fallen mail. ,

There can be no mistake upon this oardiaal trait in Hia life, teaching, and character. _ lIL Again, the grand characteristic of Hb life oonsisted in seu-renunciation. . The oroM in the back ground, and life streaming through the Oriental window of hope, through death. Man-like, Christ must give Himself up wholly and unreservedly to God. As the author of the celebrated Letters from Borne to Palmyra, and from Polmyr* to Bodik— and from Judca to Borne, says, " Disinterested labour for others constituted the greatness ol Christ."'''. ■-..-; ;.- ' ■;'

Simeon's prophecy has been fulfilled In the history of the ancient Jews, the subtle Greeks, the proud Romans, and in the carnal hearts of m«n generally. His doctrines are distinguished both for sublimity ard simplicity. His life was a sol-mn protest against the selfishness of men, and His doctrines a standfog monument against the naturally depraved life of mam Hiak'fa waa altogether different from ordinary life. Thia true lifs of His, and His dogmatism abcut being tbe Son of God, must lead us all to unoleaaant inferences ; as to our own, - ways of living, and whether we can be really sen* of God—like Him; for, if not, we shall all perish everlastingly. The condition of thia Divine life is self-renunciation. The milt. tant character of. Christianity is a standing proof of its unfading vitality. . There is bo cause for Christians, * desponding. Christ, who was despised and rejected of men, and whose doctrines are perpetually stirring up the bitterest hostility of the wicked hearts of men, sballyet be King '-.'.'ot. Kings and Lord of ■Loras. Hia kingdom ia bound to spread from Ben to aea, from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. Righteousness, truth, mercy,, and lore Shall yet bear full sway over the lives, actions, and destinies of. -universal humanity. The Kingdom of Christ does not consist In vulgar parade and external splendour, but ih righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy spirit ot truth.' ■""■:■..-■' - ■*...,/-:

■ Such is an abstract of this truly philosophical sermon; Such ; sermons are muoh needed now, to put to shame ths mean, low, vulgar, 'and stupid quibbling of infidels, who have made shipwreck not only of their own faith, bnt lead silly people ■• captive to the yawning gulf of perdition. True religion Is the helm of theVveisel of humanity. It is the bulwark of sooiety—the only security for life, properl^'andrsiputation.-'---.':---:--".'-."''---,*.'. The Bey. Mr, Waddell, in writing snoh cc*, mona, Ib; really leavening, slowly but surely, tbe corrupt atmosphere in whioh at present we nre *- living,, moving*, and having our being, Beyond doubt, he is the best preacher in the Presbyterian Church of Otago.—l am, Aa, - , . , J. G. S. Grant. ~'■ Dtmedln, August 24th. V Z..y