Publication
Newburyport: Published by John G. Tilton.
Physical description
32 p.; 23 inches
Notes
Inscribed on the front cover: "Rev. Dr. C. Van Rensselaer/from his friend and brother/the Author."
Named Person: Cortlandt Van Rensselaer, D.D. [26 May 1808 - 25 July 1860].
Cover title: Dr. Dana's Half-Century Sermon, delivered November 19, 1844.
Opening text for the discourse: "For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord."--1 Thess. iii.8.
Opening words:
It is with no ordinary emotions, that I appear in this desk to-day. Fifty years since, standing on this spot, I received in sacred charge, and with a trembling heart, a beloved people.Little did I then think that my unworthy life would be prolonged to its present date, or that aught but death could terminate that endearing connection. Twenty-four years since, the event, so unanticipated and so painful, took place. I gave you my parting, and, as I supposed, my final benediction. Little did I imagine that the scene would ever be renewed, or that anything analogous would ever arise. But your affectionate invitation, coming to my heart with all the force of a command, brings me again before you this day.
A multitude of thoughts and feelings excited by the occasion, must be suppressed; for they are absolutely unutterable. It shall be my humble aim to employ the present hour, deeply interesting as it is to myself, and to most of my hearers, in a manner which may be profitable to all.
Suffer me, then, in opening my heart to those beloved friends to whom, in former and more recent time, I have preached the gospel--for both classes are now before me--suffer me to appropriate the address of the Apostle in the text. For pre-eminent as he was, in every natural, acquired and supernatural gift, he only speaks here the language of every sincere minister, though of the humblest talents and station. All such can truly say to those whom they have served in the gospel: Now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
You see, then, my friends, what constitutes the crowning joy and felicity of ministers. It is the pious steadfastness of their Christian hearers.
Named Person: Cortlandt Van Rensselaer, D.D. [26 May 1808 - 25 July 1860].
Cover title: Dr. Dana's Half-Century Sermon, delivered November 19, 1844.
Opening text for the discourse: "For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord."--1 Thess. iii.8.
Opening words:
It is with no ordinary emotions, that I appear in this desk to-day. Fifty years since, standing on this spot, I received in sacred charge, and with a trembling heart, a beloved people.Little did I then think that my unworthy life would be prolonged to its present date, or that aught but death could terminate that endearing connection. Twenty-four years since, the event, so unanticipated and so painful, took place. I gave you my parting, and, as I supposed, my final benediction. Little did I imagine that the scene would ever be renewed, or that anything analogous would ever arise. But your affectionate invitation, coming to my heart with all the force of a command, brings me again before you this day.
A multitude of thoughts and feelings excited by the occasion, must be suppressed; for they are absolutely unutterable. It shall be my humble aim to employ the present hour, deeply interesting as it is to myself, and to most of my hearers, in a manner which may be profitable to all.
Suffer me, then, in opening my heart to those beloved friends to whom, in former and more recent time, I have preached the gospel--for both classes are now before me--suffer me to appropriate the address of the Apostle in the text. For pre-eminent as he was, in every natural, acquired and supernatural gift, he only speaks here the language of every sincere minister, though of the humblest talents and station. All such can truly say to those whom they have served in the gospel: Now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
You see, then, my friends, what constitutes the crowning joy and felicity of ministers. It is the pious steadfastness of their Christian hearers.