IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) w ^ fe CPv i/l f/- ^ 1.0 M 128 IIIM 12.2 I.I I- i ^o 1.25 1.4 1.6 A •y •"?*' y-' //a FhotogTdptiic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY 14S80 (716) 872-4503 (Pz CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut canadien de microreproductions historiques 9 ©1987 Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtaii) the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. L'Institut a microfilme le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a ete possible de se procurer Les details de Cdt exemplaire qui sont peut-^tre uniques du point de vue bibliographique. qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite. 3u qui peuvent exiger une rrodification dans la m^ithode normale de filmage sont indiguAs ci-dessous. D u Coloured coven/ Couverture de couieur j I Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagee I ! Covers restored and/or laminated/ I I Couverture restaur^e at/ou pellicul^e □ Cover tit missing/ Le titre . couvertui I I Coloured maps/ re manque D Cartes g^ographiques en couieur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre da couieur (i.e. autre que bieue ou noire) □ Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couieur □ Bound with other material/ ReliA avec d'autres documents Tight binding may causa shadows or distortion along interior margin/ Lareliure serree peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distcrsion le long da la marge interieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout^ea lors dune restauration apparaissent dans le texta. mais, lorsque cela 4t<^it possible, ces pages n'ont pas iti film^es. Additional comment^:/ Commentaires supplementaires: □ Coloured pages/ Pages da couieur □ Pages damaged/ Pages endommagees C Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurees et/ou pelliculees I I Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ ULJ Pages ddcolorees. tachet^es ou pique Pages Pages Page? detacheas lees I I Pages detached/ EShowthrough/ Transparence □ Quality of print varie Qualite inAgale de I'i ies/ mpression I I Includes supplementary material/ D D Comprend du materiel supp'amentaire Only edition availaole/ Seule Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellemant obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata. une pelure. etc., cnt m filmies A nouveau de facon a obtenir la meilleure image possible This item Is filmed at the reduction ratio checked b^low/ Ce document est film6 au taux de reduction indiqu^ ci-dessous. IPX 14X 18X 2X 26X 3^X 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X Tha copy filmad h«r« hu b««n raproducad thanks to tha ganarosity of: Harold Campbell Vaughan Memorial Library Acadia University. Tha imagas appaaring hara ara tha bast quality possibia considaring tha condition and lagibiiity of tha original copy and in kaaping with tha filming contract spacifications. Original copias in printad papar covara ara ftlmad baginning with tha front oovar and anding on tha last paga with a printad or illustratad impraa- sion, or tha bnck covar whan appropriate All othar original coptas ara filmad baginning on tha first paga with a printad or illustratad impras- sion, and anding on tha laat paga with a printad or illustratad imprassion. Tha laat racordad frama on aach microficha shall contain tha symbol ^»>(maaning "CON- TINUED"), or tha symbol V (maaning "END"), whichavar appiiaa. Maps, plataa. charts, ate., may ba filmad at diffarant raduction ratioa. Thosa too larga to ba antiraly includad in ona axposura ara filmad baginning in tha uppar laft hand comar, laft to right and top to bottim, as many framas aa raquirad. Tha following diagrams iliustrata tha mathod: L'axampiaira film* fut raproduit grica k la gAn^roait* da: Harold Campbell Vaughan Memorial Library Acadia University. Laa imagaa suivantaa ont tti raproduitas avac la piua grand soin, compta tanu da la condition at da la nattat* da l'axampiaira film*, at sn conformity avac las conditions du contrat da filmaga. Laa axamplairaa origjnaux dont la couvartura an papiar aat imprimAa sont filmte an commanc*nt par la pramiar plat at an tarminant soit par la damiAra paga qui comporta una emprainta d'Impraaaion ou d'illustration. soit par la sacond plat, salon la caa. Toua laa autras axamplairaa originaux sont film*s an commandant par la pramiAra paga qui comporta una amprainta d'Impraaaion ou d'illuatration at an taiminant par la darniira paga qui comporta una tai a amprainta. Un daa symboias suivants apparaltra sur la dami*ra imaga da chaqua microficha. salon la caa: la symbola — i^signifia "A SUIVRE ', la symbola V signifia "FIN ". Laa cartas, pianchaa. tabiaaux. ate, pauvant Atra fiimAa * daa taux da rAduction diff«rants. Lorsqua la documant aat trop grand pour itn raproduit an un saui ciich*. il ast film* i partir da I'angia sup*riaur gauche, da gaucha i droita. at da haut ^n baa. an pranant la nombra d'lmagaa n*c8ssaira. Laa diagrammas suivants illuatrant la m*thoda. 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 ^^ w - 3^^3^S^)^-^tsi^^S^j^r9^=z^ • -=iV' i\a V— ■:-m ^ EARNESTNESS I I I AND lOLEKATION. THE DUTY OF niURCHMEN ; A SERMON I'RK Mlirri \1 Till ^ /rcr-scat C^aptl of St. |o|it % ^bangtlist, "C ;^1 T MONTREAL, oV Tin-: TIIIIID srN'OAV AITKI: TRrNIT^'. IsC.s. nv Tiir: Ki:V. 1?. W. NORM AX, M.A or i:\i:ri;i; (■ip|.i.i:i;i:. u\kiii:i.. r l*ul)l i ?« hod by lie(iuor^t. I I' f Tr!Er:T, ]S(»S. i i I * 1^1^ EARNESTNESS AND TOLERATION, THE DUTY or CHURCHMEN: A SERMON PRBAOHKD AT TUB iref-seat fijjapcl of §t. |ogn % (gfongelist, MONTREAL, OS THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY, 1868. BY THK REV. R. W. NORMAN, M.A., OF KXETKK (DI.I.EOB, OXKORU. Published by Requo^st. PRINTED BY .lOHN LOVELL, hT. NICTIOLA.S STREET. 1808. S E H M N. Av^a iriM -n.lof I7th r -'■ And tiallio carod for none of these Itjings. ■ The Gallio here mentioned was the Proconsul of the Ronitm Province of Achaia. His original name was Marcus Anncxnis Novatr.s, and he as- sumed the name of Gallio iVom a Roman who adopted him. lie was elder brother of the v.ell- known Stoic philosopher .'^-neca, and, to judge from the mention i lade of him by his brother and l)y others, he war. a popular man, widely known, and whose society was aim ^t universally courted, ffe was .juite a specimen of the Komans of his day, refined, polished, self-indulgent, indifferent to almost all interests, except his own ; with no sympathy lor or with those over whom he was ruh}r, and without a thought of learning something of the religious views and practices of the inhab- itants of Greece, whether Christians or otherwise. He had no real belief at all in a God. He was ZQ / ^/ iTiulv to trtuklc to tli.' most troublc.'^umc' oi hi?- suhjccts, |)r(»vi.k'(i lie savt-d hliriH-ll" t'-ouhle, and kc'i-t llicin at iH«;uT. lit' u as only oiuvlul to obey to the letter tlif liiws :ui',l i!ii|)i"-ial •-liofs of Rome. As Iniii as tlu'si- were earrieil out. lie paid littU- reirard to the et-rnal jiiineiplvs of Imn.anity and iiistif< . ('orinth was tlie capital of Aeliai.., and ,„„> (1-iy tlK'iH was a i^reut uproar there. St. Paul hud eoMie thither from Attiea, and at the eommer- cial citv olCoriulh he made more conveits thavi r,t the intellectiKil city of Alliens. In eonse- (liience of an edict of hanishnu'iit si-nt i)y the Emperor Tlandins. thi're luul been a general dis- persion .d'.lews from Home. Some <.f these Jews ruvM' to Cormth. and St Paul found an ample licld l,,r his pnachin-. Uv testified to the Jews that Jcsiis wa> the Mes>iah. and showeil them that, by their oppositi.m to Christianity, they were sotting at n(Mi,iiht the teachin- of their own prophets. This exasperated them, so that lie scdemnly and puhVuMV announced hi^ intention of devotin- him- self to the (lentiles. Hut. as he lived in the house of Justus, close to \\u- syna.-ogue. he attracted some Jew-, and amo.,.. them ('rispu<. the chief pcMv<.n of the-yna-o^ue. l.ndi/rd !>;. St. I'aul him- self, who became a < 'hris( .uid ,>('d hiui hefore (iallio. the I'roconsn!. Tlieir accusa- tion implied t wo chariic:^. l.-t.Tliat !»v teachinji that .le^Ms \v;!.-< (,'hrist ;nid (I kI, St. l*aul wjw vi( litiiiL' the l;i\v of M().>^es. and introducing false Worship. "Jnd. That in ami hy doing this he was hreaking the Konian law. The Roman law for- bade the intrcnluction ol" new ohjects of worship, without a special decree ol" the Senate. No doubt the .lews were much enraged with the Apostle for opening the d»M)r of the Church to tiie Gen- tiles. Tlu y put their charge v u-y (Minninglv. They hfVen Christ, a styled the precious tiuiii that the Church was to he uni- versal, a ([uestion simjily of the Jewish law. He got rid ot" the m. titer in the easiest way to him- self. By refusing to punish St. Paul, he expected to gain popularity with the Apostle'sparty. By leav- ing in the Jews' hands the deci.sion of legal matters. he flattered their natioiuil vanity with the show of a power that had long passed away. Anyhow. Gallio saved himselt trouble, did not compromist himself, and kept within the limits of his power. This verdict, however, did not appease the tumult. We read: "Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the .iuil;^mont.Hcat."' Tlii« incident is not verv eaay to explain. Mo.st likely Sonthenes w.ii« rriendly to St. I'iiui. There was a Sosthcnes, al- terwards, a Christian. IVrhap.s, the nioli, di.^jip- pointcd of the bloodshed vviiich they had hopni to witness, lurncd in brutal rage upon a promi- nent .l»'w and nuuie iiim then- .sj»ort. Vv^hatever was the cause of this outra<,^e on justice and law. it produced no clhci tui (kiIHo. It did not induce him to alter his previously formed determination. .N zi- ther did it. as it oMiiht to have done, in-'in^ severe retribution on those v/ho, i:i the jucvciiee oi the miniwter of law and order, set both at deliaT'.ce l)v linprovoked cruelty. "' (Jallii; cared I'oi' none ot' thene thinas." He. perhaps, satisfied what little conscience he had by the retlection that he himself had done no wron-r. He trratilied hi< soilishness by abstainin;x f,-om trouble. He for-ol that bv abstaining to prevent cruelty, he piaeticallv snne- tioued it and made liimstdf responsible lorit. He did not know that to the end of time his name would be remembered as that of one who is indif- ferent to riirhi and wroiig, and who cares not which }»revails; who values (uily his own enjov- raent and the jtopular esteem of others. When Gallic sentSt. Paul away,he did not know that he was putting from himself the cup of salvation. and that he never would have another like oppor- tuniiy. A few years after this, (lallio was sum- moned to Ronu". He then .shewed how little principle he had. He was there anil then ready to sacrifice right to impe'-ial favour. He there became the favorite of the ahoniinable Ni-ro, and [)andered to the atrocious crimes of that wicked man. Tfe met with ii natural punishment, for, ac- :-.)rding to '.i>.ost accounts, he was put to death bv Nero's orders. U\,y, St, Paul the Apostk>, and (lallio the I'rK'oiisul. both fell by the same bloody hand, but they did not meet in Rome, and Gallio died two years before St P:nil visited the imperial *ity for the second time. It would seem, 1 think, that such a character as that of Gallio l)elongs par- iicularly to a high state of outward refinement, and ati ariilieial condition of society. Such Wius tlu> character oi Kouuin society at that tiuie. Such a period a^ that to > 'lich this age belongs, abounds 111 (Jallio>. Their saw. pies are nimierous and per- liaps e\en iiicreasiug. The Romans [n-ofes.sed tol- eration, ami to!( raticm is a right, a generous, and even a ('llI■i^tian principle. Woidd there were more of it in the world. But it is an abuse, or more strictly, a })erversion of toleration ; it is a mere pretext tor concealing indilVerence, when all views, principles, and religions are elevated or 9 '/ »• — depressed, a.-^ peopl(> would have it, to the same level. It is to copy C^illio, to aesert that everybody may thir', nid do what is right .simply in hi.s own eye.«. Satan, in sheep's clothing, is directing mch a movement. He is making confusion; he is melt- ing down all principles into one connnon mass. To acquiesce in a low standard ot faith and reli- gion, is to copy <;allio, and those who do so would sink far lower even than the low h;isis they have taken lor themselves. There aresome people who tell us that th,' Church .)f the future is to have no particularly distinctive doctrines, hut is to be ba>ed ..nly u^.^n good-will to men. Doubtless, good-will to me., is apiiuciple we all should aim at. Would there were more of it also in the world. But there can b<> no real union that is i)urchased at the sacritice ol iruth. However kindly dispos- ed we sliould l)e to all, whether they difter from US or no, sve cannot compromise truths for any end whatsoever. Cod v.'ho knows ])elter than we do our sepa.-ation from othe.- Christians, and tlie causes of such divisions, will heal then. iuHisown time Our duty i,> I,. ,h, ^vhat in our hearts and eonscience we know to be right, to pray and leave the rest to '"iod. The cynic of the present day who. Hithacalm alfectation of superior intelligence ealls those who value strict truth, narrow-minded 10 :■:*.-■. I and bigoted, is a Gallic after his own fashion. He cares for none of these things. He would unite all men to one another, not by the union of a common faith, but by that which is u rop,. „( sand. I mean a sinking of all definite doctrine till what i. left is colourless and vague. There are few expre>- sions more abused in the present day than that of people agreeing to dilier. We may do so on ques- tions of politics, or other matters ,.f tuere passing moment. But on (juesti(ms of the great verities "f the riiristian faith, we nuist hohl our owi:. whatever hnppens or may happen. Our Lord fore- told that niie resulLof Christianity would bedivi- -^.on, not union, not that the religion of the God of love is turbulent and .|iiarrelsome in itself, but because of tlie infirmities of men. [ do believe thattliere is more of real union among Christian.^ not necessitate intoUn-ance and malis',nity. In quietness and confidence shall be our strenme • Ss. Luke 9 c. ;J3 v. t P8. lii. 1 T. 18 degree, a hidden life witli Christ. I know there ure some. May the good work t^peed, and the Lord prosper it. Brethren, our duty is to Labour on (luietly, trust iuUy, and prayerfully. The greatest results are produced often by small causes. The tiny zoophytes construct the island coral reefs of the Pacibc, and this s.uall Church has l)een already, in this country, the beginning of that great movement sj)reading over England's colonies whicli has iullucnccd indirectly those opposed to it, and even iliot^j outside the Church, and which is destined to produce, I believe, an untold elfect upon Christianity aud Christendom at large. It is a reviving of ilic spirit, the activity and the faith of that whidi I believe in mv lieart to be the purest branch of the Church in the world, but which has so long been sleeping a sleep as ol" death. That faith. th(»se principles, will eontinue to be taught here. We nope even to win over some who differ from us. But we shall be charitable and tolerant. We shall maintain tlie truth, regardless tf scotls and shuulers, l)e- lu'ving that if weai'e uui\ humble and in earnest ' ir endeavours will b<' bb>ssed. Onlv let us be \v\u^ to ..u'>',-lves, let u- abstain, if possibh\ from ..ontroversy, but yet be I'eady to give a reason of the belief we have. Lastly, let us remember that 14 the race is not to the swift always, nor the battle to the strong, that numbers are no criterion, and that popularity is no test of truth. The voice of the people is only the voice of God when ir upholds those everlasting principles which come from God Himself. The popular cry once condemned Christ and crucified him, and the popular voice is onlj too ready now at any time to surrender Eis truth*. The reward will be to him who is meek and lowly, knowing his .,wn infirmities, but strong in the' Lord and enduring unto the end. 4^^