REWARDS AND PUNISHMENTS, OR, THE FINAL JUDGMENT. All ye that love the LORD, rejoice, And let your songs be new; His later wonders show. When CHRIST His judgment seat ascends, And bids the world appear, Thrones are prepared for all his friends, Who humbly lov'd him here. Then shall they rule with iron rod, And join the sentence of their God, Saints should be joyful in their king, E'en on a dying bed; And like the souls in glory sing, For God shall raise the dead! The LORD takes pleasure in the just, THE MATRICULATION OF A NEW CLASS, IN NOVEMBER 1828, WAS DELIVERED IN THE CHAPEL, BY THE REV. SAMUEL H. TURNER, D. D., PROFESSOR OF BIBLICAL LEARNING AND THE INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE, IN THE GENERAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. Luke xii. 48.-Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required. In all the discourses of our LORD and MASTER, and in all the parables and other illustrations, whereby he endeavors to place the principles of his religion in a clear light, or to bring them home to the consciences of his hearers, there is a good sense and plain practical character, which come at once to the bosom of every honest inquirer after truth and obligation. Although, occasionally, he involves the sentiments which he means to convey in the garb of allegory, which the careless observer could not immediately see through, and would not take the pains to withdraw; yet even then, the man whose mind was alive to the importance of the instruction, and who was conscious that he had himself a personal interest of the deepest kind in understanding and applying the truths communicated, could not fail both to perceive their tendency and to feel their force. Of the vast multitude of instances which confirm the former of these remarks, the plain declaration of the text is prominent. "Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required." There is no man who is not sensible of the truth here conveyed, and who does not, as far as his authority extends, make it the principle whereby to regulate his demands upon others. Justice recognises its applicability, and it would be inconsistent with what the Scriptures teach, and reason confirms to us, respecting the GOD of the universe, not to suppose, that by this equitable prinVOL. II.-26 ciple his conduct towards all his creatures will, in the end, be perceived to be governed. This general application of our LORD's words would, very naturally, suggest a variety of remarks adapted to various classes of Christians. In the first place, it would address to the whole body this powerful consideration, that, inasmuch as they enjoy religious privileges infinitely superior to those of the rest of mankind, they are bound to live better lives, and to do more good in the world. In the second place, it would apply, with peculiar force, to that portion of the Christian community, whose talents, or character, or influence in society, or wealth, affords facilities for usefulness not possessed by others; and it would teach such the practical lesson, that they ought to do much for the interests of religion, and to advance the cause of Christianity, simply because God hath put much in their power, and will, most undoubtedly, adapt his requirements to the ability and opportunity of usefulness which he hath granted. It would be easy to give the text this general direction. But it has been selected with a view to a less extended application, more immediately suited to the present occasion. As it has become my duty to deliver a discourse in reference to the matriculation of a new class in the Seminary, I have thought it not inexpedient to call the attention of its members to the principle recognised in the text, in order to present to them a sketch of the advantages which they enjoy, and to embrace the opportunity of inculcating that course of conduct which is consequently obligatory. May the great Master, who will not fail to reward those servants who improve the five or the two talents with which he hath entrusted them, nor, on the other hand, to punish the unprofitable servant who buries his lord's money, grant us his grace, that the words now to be delivered "may not be spoken in vain." The truth that "much is given," which is evidently implied in the language of the text, shall, in the first place, be considered as particularly applicable to students of divinity, at the present time, in our own country. And secondly, the inference that "much shall be required," shall be illustrated and enforced. I. Different periods in the history of the Christian Church have been distinguished by more than ordinary attention to religion, and various objects connected with it, and tending to facilitate its progress. The zeal with which the apostles and other primitive Christians spent their lives in promoting the advancement of the Gospel-some by preaching its salutary doctrines to the ignorant and unenlightened, and others by extending a knowledge of that blessed book, the truths of which are able to make wise unto salvation, either by translating it into the languages of the converts, or by illustrating its contents-will bear down their names to remotest generations, and afford a perpetual example of imitation for all, in every age, who are called by the name of CHRIST. The ardor, which led on the reformers, both on the Continent and in England, to tear down the confused and shapeless mass of materials which the superstition of ages had raised, and to substitute that chaste and beautiful temple, which the great GoD of the universe would not disdain to inhabit, cannot but recal to our minds emotions of grateful veneration for the men to whom we are so vastly indebted, and fill our hearts with thankfulness to the Author of all good, by whose "holy inspiration" they were led to attempt the arduous task, and by whose "merciful guiding" they were enabled to persevere until it was crowned with success. And if these men were "the lights of the world" in their day, pouring forth those streams of knowledge and happiness which have come even to us, they have not been without successors, who have added to the flame, and brightened the torch of Christian truth and virtue. The period in which we live is among the most distinguished which the Church, since the age of the apostles, and of apostolic men, has ever witnessed. The terrible inundation of error and vice with which English deism and French infidelity flooded a great part of Christendom, does appear to have had an indirect influence in opening the sources of evangelical benevolence, and in swelling and deepening the streams, which are to pour the waters of life into the most barren soil, making it productive of the richest fruits of the Gospel. Whatever opinion different persons may entertain respecting some of those channels of beneficence, which the religious philanthropy of the day has pre pared, or in whatever light we may view their comparative merits, it is impossible for a candid mind to deny, that a more than ordinary influence of Christian principle and feeling is discernible in labors plainly intended to promote the kingdom of GoD among men. And among the various efforts by which our own age will hereafter be distinguished, the advancement of the ministerial character, in the all-important requisites of piety, learning, prudence, and zeal for the cause of the Redeemer, to which religious and intelligent Christians have directed their attention, is one, which, if judiciously prosecuted, must have a most beneficial result, because of the powerful influence, either salutary or injurious, which the ministry will always exercise. With a view to this important object, Theological Seminaries have been established, and our Church has instituted and patronises that to which we belong. On the 26th of May, 1817, the General Convention resolved to found a General Theological Seminary, and a course of instruction was commenced in this city, in the early part of the year 1819, from which time until the present, the institution has continued in operation under various circumstances. It is not my intention to give a history of the Seminary; these facts have been stated merely to introduce some particulars which may illustrate the advantages it affords to students of Theology. In the first place, it offers facilities for a successful prosecution of study. 1. The candidate for the ministry who resides within the building, and who is disposed to devote his time to the acquisition of theological knowledge, has the advantage of retirement. Within these walls his time is his own, and he can improve it to any degree he pleases, without much danger of interruption from the indolent, who, not knowing how to fill up the vacuity which makes him uneasy, wastes the precious hours which the industrious would gladly devote to reading and meditation. A student who lives at home, is very often subjected to interruptions, arising from necessary intercourse with members of his family, or circles of his friends, or occasional and temporary acquaintance; and these, the proper decorum of life will not permit him to neglect. Here, he is exempt from these inconveniences and many more, and |
