The New York herald., 1870-06-20
CHURCH OF TEE DIVINE PAvER gfTY.
Christian Righieousness-Ser,non by Rev. DIR.
Chaplin.

hIrnscOu3ne39-Seft0Om
Chaplin.
The fneness Of the weather yesterday would seem
to have had effect upon the spiritual aspirations
of the congregation which usually assemblies to
listen to the eoquence OF DR.. Chaplin The audience
was small but, we may say, without any eXaggera-
lion select for it composed chiefly of ladies
and gentlemen Of an aye decidedly experienced
The beauty OF the day had doubtless an attraction
for the youth and beauty OF Fifth avenue and many
Of those who were accustomed TO meetin the Church
OF the Divine Paternity were probably asking what
are the wild waves saying at Long Branch,
or listening TO the musical preaching OF
nature elsewhere. The reverend pastor, with ad-
mirabe taste, appeared to appreciate the fact, and
in his prayer at the opening OF the services referred
TO the glories Of the external world as aording not
the least fitting tempe for the worship OF the Su-
preme. Amid iuttering OF fans, which, nOtwith-
standing the dim, religious light which pervaded
the interior Of the church. gave 1t quite cheerful
and animated appearance. the preacher announced
his text
"For say unto you that unless your righteous
ness exceeds the righteousness Of the scribes and
Pharisees ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom
OF heaven.n
he proceeded to say, ID comprehensive and con-
structive 1t embodies the truth Of what preceded
contradicts another, but rather supplements Its de
nciencies and illustrates It's power. Truth Is not
merely destructive; 1t developes the welfare or hu-
mantty and builds up the edhce OF the divine king
dom. We can, therefore, see the force OF Chrlsts
words, ~ not to destroy. but 70 fulfill" He
rum the structure Of everlasting truth and righteous
ness. Christianity was not an entirely new religion
as many % IT, aH ohs
wise we should have to believe that no truth had
been revealed before IL, and that the world had lived
In state of complete spiritual darkness.
THE OFFICE OF CHRISTIANITY,
however was in the words of it's Divine Teacher to
4fulnl" and to embrace more fully all truth that
therefore, cancel or make obsolete the od-n sup
piled a want, and added the last glorious chapters
TO the volume which we call the Bible. BY one class
Jesus is regarded as destructive radlcal by others
an easy lberal-and what we call 'liberal Chrls-
tianHy 10 often looked upon as mere dead shell,
goddess faith, thing OF words, or at best ol empty
and plant sentiment. This s mistake OF the Tor
malist who Is In love with rules ana whose SOU,
the free and generous spirit OF Chrlsts teachings:
The sanction on the Christian rests in the love OF
God and this is lntelligible TO the humDest mel
lec inasmuch as 1t means merely the love OF good
ness We come now 10 the consideration OF two
points, first,
THE pRopER KIND OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
and, second the source or sanction OF 1t. we must
nave rlghteousness which exceeds that OF the
Scribes and Pharisees. We have still Scrbes and
Pharlsees to whom the New Testament as aptly APP
plies as to those OF Old. The New Testament Is q
practical work and is intended for the people OF
every age. We have still Peters who deny and
Judases VINO betray. In politics, in private life, In
every department. OF society," we nave ILLUSTRATORS OF
the evils which the authors OF Christianity con-
demned. The scribes the stickers for the laws,
the men Of "knowledge,,, who go about crammed
with texts inquring after the oplnlone OF others and
in search OF controversy in which exhibit their
logic and zeal. The righteousness OF the Pharsees
have still In all its phases There is the righteousness
of policy which we commenced when we say that
honesty Is the best policy the righteousness which
is respectable and the righteousness which Ia with
out heart, but which 10 rigidly scrupulous in the
observance of rules and ceremonies. Christianity,
however, requires
A SPIRITUAL RIGHTEOUSNESS
righteousness or faith and of the heart which does
good, because 1t IL good; spiritual dellverance,
which purnes the thoughts and elevates tne mo.
tves OF mankind The sanction and source OF right
is then love OF goodness for its own sake love
which Is above the degrading influence OF lear
The characteristics Of true Christianity are humlt
a. to ourselves and charity towards others. Oul
own struggles will cultivate this habit OF mlnd
Thus shall we rise above the mere Journalism OF re-
ugon, and attain to righteousness superior IA its