THE TRUE POSITION OF THE CHURCH IN RELATION TO THE AGE.

A

DISCOURSE

DELIVERED AT THE

DEDICATION OF THE

Church of the Saviour.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1847.

BY THE PASTOR,
R. C. WATERSTON.

PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.

BOSTON:

WILLIAM CROSBY & H. P. NICHOLS.

111 Washington Street.

BOSTON:

DICKINSON PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT.....DAMRELL & MOORE,

No. 52 Washington Street.

DISCOURSE.

1 CORINTHIANS, 3: 11.

FOR OTHER FOUNDATION CAN NO MAN LAY, THAN THAT IS LAID, WHICH IS

JESUS CHRIST.

ASSEMBLED as we are to consecrate with solemn and impressive rites a new edifice to the cause of religion, we are naturally led to reflect upon the purposes of Christianity and the Church; which suggests the subject I propose at this time to consider, -The true Position of the Christian Church, in its Relation to the present Age.

The prediction respecting Christianity, from its introduction into the world, was, that it would finally prevail over the whole earth, and bring every thing into subjection to its divine power. Before the advent of Jesus, the world knew little of what was to be accomplished by its promised Redeemer. Ushered into the world by the angelic host, there were few among men to give it welcome. Surrounded by innumerable obstacles, with the powers and the passions of earth sternly arrayed against it, it yet struggled and triumphed, conquering or converting its most

malignant foes, and establishing in the place of prevailing evil, its own beneficent principles. Thus, from the commencement, it has been constantly spreading and deepening in its influence; and in proportion as it has been received, it has refined the manners, purified the tastes, and regenerated the souls of men; and thus, through all the periods of its past history, it has poured ever-increasing blessings upon the world. Christianity is the gift of God. It is the knowledge of the divine will, made known through a heaven-appointed Messiah. It is a work of redemption, fulfilled by Jesus. It was a message given, not simply by words of wisdom, but through the life, sufferings, and death of the Son of God. It was foretold by inspired prophets; it was established by superhuman works; it was illustrated by a character of matchless grandeur; it was sealed with blood on the cross.

Christianity came from heaven, and was given for the regeneration of the world. All its principles and promises were at first embodied in Jesus. At his death the disciples became its promulgators; and from that time the Christian church has been avowedly the channel of its influence and the living manifestation of its power.

Christianity in itself is perfect; but the church is human, and is therefore only a true representative of Christianity in proportion as it is faithful to its great head.

Christianity is as wide as the ages, and enduring as the soul. It is adequate to meet the wants of all coming time. It is for the church constantly to rise to a higher apprehension of its divine greatness; to grow more and more up to its requirements; to try itself and the world by its lofty standard, and to cherish and proclaim its heavenly truths; believing that other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

The church is the acknowledged representative of Christianity; and the world feels that in looking at it, it has a right to judge of Christianity itself. With the progress of the world, the church should make progress, and shine more and more brightly with celestial light. The church is the active medium through which Christianity is given to the world. The ministers of the gospel, and the professed followers of Jesus, come forward as its living witnesses. It is, then, through their remissness or fidelity that Christianity is to be chiefly retarded or advanced.

Christianity is of universal application; and while it is adapted to the wants of all ages, it is also adapted to the particular wants of each age. In every period of the world, Christianity has found some one to apply it to the wants of that period. Even when evil and error have crept over some portions of the church, Christianity has proved that it has within itself a reformatory power; and when the whole church would not be faithful, portions of it have taken up the work.