The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-25

was really aimed at the Master by whose practice
and example the value OF traditional usage was
shown Thus traditions were held superior 20 the
law, because &c was declared that "the words
OF the Scribes are lovely above the words
Of the law; for the words OF the law
are weighty and light but the words OF the scribes
are all weighty.n Now, among these traditions was
the washing Of hands, and whoever neglected this
requirement was considered q nt subject for excom-
munica,ion and even OF death, He referred to this
In order that he might lead hearers to consider
the first practical lesson OF his text which that
IN the declaration before them our Saviour relied not
upon practice. but upon principle. Certainly he
said nothing or uncean hands, but only OF
unwashed hands. But the great point before us
here and in the preceding portion OF the chapter
was the importance OF the inward condition COM
parison With outward performances. THIS was
What the scrioes and pnarlsees aid: why
mandments OF God by your tradinons" They
lad found, not In the Mosaic ritual, but IN
'ionor thy father and motherv So II appeared
that It was not a mere practice that was reouked-
superstitlous and absurd as that practice might
have 0een-aud 1t seemed 10 nm that this opened
10 them the entire subject OF tradition ana ceremony
IN relation to moral oDgations-a subject not with
out interest at the present day. 1t may be said that
ceremonial was useful-that 1t was help to many
In their devotons and that It leads to the deepest
thought Certainly no right mnded person could
dispute that: and he Thought q man not merely ex-
posed to rebuKe but below contempt VINO found
fault with or rldiculed the religious usages OF
seemed to him, that man was remarkably hard
hearted who could pass mockery on them.
The least we could say was they may benefit others.
But when their practices were exated-wnen it
was said that their virtue or their very substance
and essence was religious hfe--when they were re-
garded as superior to moral obligations, then 1t
was necessary to urge the spirit OF our Savlour's
words. This mere washing or the hands as COM
pared with the inward man and the state OF the
heart was only secondary. for ut de1leth not
man, But VIXEN these practices become tyrannical,
savish and were set the moral OF divine
law; when ecclesiastical authority was put before
social and natural obligations then we could see
with what justice certain men might rise up and
protest against them and even violently thrust them
aside. Perhaps we could sympathize in TINS
point of view with the stern manner
OF the Puritans, In laying their hands on the Very
altar and turning from spiritual tyranny and the
transgresSiOn OF Gods commandment. He SAID the
usages OF the old Church, which were again creeping
In among u.s. were looked on by the old Purltans as
elements OF tyranny and barbarism. While we
might revere the sayings OF good men and trea-
sure up the interpretations OF the wise men, never
theless. how fatally the growth OF tradition pro-
commandments OF God, and that which claimed
to be the Church Of divine truth and love
became the vehicle Of oppression and a pollti-
very bosom OF such o Church and asked "Why
transgress the commandments Of God by tradi.
tonin Why should we not leave such men to follow
the developments OF their own sell-impOsed task2
Certainly such man as Father Hy acinthe, because
he had assumed the position he occupies was not
necessarily Luther. In welcoming this champion
OF truth and freedom here then, those ought not to
be conspicuous who. In their own narrow circles,
might have nothing to recommend them but their
own traditional preJudices. We should leave Gods
work in the hands OF such men as Father Hyacntne,
to work 1t out In their own way. The preacher then
went on IN q philosophical manner to critcise aud
explain outward ceremony, and concluded by say
ing tnat such ceremony was Of no material use for
it was the heart OF man-tne inward man--to which
GOD alone looked for homage.