The New York herald., 1869-02-22
slErcxEs STREET uHIyEssAlsT CHURCH.
Tho Victory Of Chrst-scrmon by Rev. Day
X. Lee.

Tho Victory Of Christ-Sermon by Rev. Day
X. Lee.
Rev. DIR. Lee, pastor OF this church, delivered an
interesting discourse last evening, before numerous
congregation, takisg his text from John, xvi 33-.1n
the world ye shall have tribuaton, but be OF good
cheer; have overcome the world.n These words OF
Christ he said were spoken in gloomy hour. 1t was
before the crucnxon, when perils menaced them and
fierce prosecutions were rising They looked TO Him
for hope and comfort. He knew their anguish and
despair, and told them frankly they would have
trbulation and there was no worldly hope for Them
and no physical escape. But though they could
not escape suffering, there was a spiritual triumph
they could win. Christ himself found not primrose
path Of ease and mirth In the world. lie
had great tribulation; sin assailed Him,
suffering assailed Him, death assailed Him,
yet he conquered all, and His friends by His
power could conquer. The speaker then described
the attacks oil Sin, SUFFERING and DEATH and the vic
tory OF Christ over them. Speaking OF the assault
OF death and his defeat he said, like cunning
ror who reserves his best force till the last, the
world let forth death like monster to destroy Him.
But He conquered death In ms own dominion and
returned with the trophies OF His victorythe keys
OF death and hell. Let me give an Illustration
Take village for the scene, and suppose that ada
cent 10 IL q frightfu cave Of darkness yawns and
from that horrid monster comes day after day and
seizes the people and bears them IN triumph TO his
den. The town Is kept In constant alarm and grief,
for the dragon grows bolder and ugiier, and
bride. then beneiactor then little dmpled
child, and glides howling away with mis-
anguish lI all hearts At last 1t Il expected that all
Will be taken and none living left behind. But now
beautiful youth enters the village and declares be
rare and gracious being Heaven itself shines out
OF his eyes and smiles from his face, aud II he viii
deliver US we feel that We can worship him. lie Is
gentle and delicate, but his graces cover him like
the bosses OF coat OF mail, and he Is so brave we
hope he viii triumph. The dragon comes forth again,
fhnxs B4{st~
hushed In thrilling suspense and fear dries the tears
on our faces the youth steps forth to meet him.
nec ana ane hone ases g o. sre, m n ann mow OF
goes OH with our champion In his grasp. Now
a IL over, ana despair casts us down TO the dust.
What can we dor We clasp hands and declare we
Will all die together But Is there no hopper What
bright form ~ that emerging from the cave OF the
mountain ~ The glory o. morning crowns Il, love
triumph beams from Its eyes. oh, look again, ye des
pairing II IL our champion returning lie lives
and has words Of JOY 10 tell us. He conquered the
dragon In his own dominion. He bound him In
CHAINS and returns with tokens OF his victory and
with visions OF all our loved ones restored This is
my illustration. The village may represent the
world, the dragon Death and the cave Of darkness
his dominion. The champion Is Christ. lie
meets, meets him ana s borne away 70 his den. And nd
while despair returns TO sinite us our champion
comes back declaring he has conquered Death IN HIS
own dominion. Ne c0nvinces us that he has
triumphed, for he brings the keys OF death and hell
He ascends on high and angels celebrate His VIC
tOry nencefOftu, Wnle Deatn cOntinutS, nc IL cap
tive. lie can still seize his vict inns and bear them to
his abyss; for he IL permitted 70 act for tmc But
be OF good cheer. lie cannot harm u.s. lie cannot
confne us In his dungeon. From his ghastly caves
Christ will deliver evety dear heart he has captured
aud bring us 10 family union In heaven. OF this He
assured the disciples Ii the words OF the text and
made heroes OF them al. Ills words are 70 us. We
ind tribuation; we have many griefs and woes;
but by the power Of Christ we can overcome
them. First-Sn assats us, but He conquered SIN
and we can conquer 1t; we can dsarm its shafts as
tney come from our fots; we can trample tempta-
tions down; We can escape from its foul
embraces as the your0 Hebrew did, even II we
leave the skirts OF our garments in It's clutch Sec
ond-Suflcrtng assails ts In many ways, moral and
physical. We suffer 1ains losses, bcreavements
Our friends die and our hearts seem buried with
them, and our lights are hidden by clouds. Bat all
suffering may he oveItome-at least we may rise
above most OF its anguith, II we live BY the spirit Of
Christ. Third-Death may assail US. Death will as
SAIL us and bear us to his cave. We stand at this
hour IN his shadow. Our hearts are beating
time 70 the sad music OF his march.
Our minds viii be sobtred and our breath hushed
when he comes. THERE'S no gay romance In Death.
With the best faith and hope 10 cheer us, few can
give hun welcome, or smile az he approaches But
Christ overcame Death and by His power we can
overcome him, and pass through his valley shouting
victory. Let US cultlvate ialln aud hope. Let as