The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-01-30
METROPOLITAN METHODIST CEuICH,

The Distinction Between Man and the Brute
Sermon by Rev. DR.. Newmnn-iresident
Grant and Vice President Coifax Amcng the
Wcrshippers.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 1871.
large audience was present at DR.. Newman's
church this morning, the pastor having returned a
few days previous from lecture tour. General
Grant, accompanied by his slsterln.aw Mrs.
Cramer, his daughter Nellie, ana Governor Jewell
and wife, OF Connecticut also Mr.. Colfax and the
Postmaster General, Were among those present.
The text was taken rom st. Luke, XIII 4s:-"For
unto whomsoever much Is given, OF HIM shall be
much required" The noble distinction between
: nan and the biute said DR.. Newman, IS the vOll
lonal act OF the former and the instructive act or
latter. Though hard to define the difference
81 geen the two yet the common sense OF mankind
'ohSedes that there Is such difference. Careful
" ing may teach brute to do many curious and
-5 skful things but independent OF that training
.uctcts in s.ereotyped manner. But the history OF
the human race shows that mhn is not subject to
automatic laws, but is capable Of pursuing this or
that course, OF doing or not doing. In man, the
masterpiece Of the Creator, there exists triple ma
ture, representing the inanimate the animate and
the divine. His physique Is allied In composition to
the inanlnate; his appettes and passions ally HIM
to the animal or animate; his intellectual and
spiritual endowments to the divine. The text suQ-
gestS the ground and extent OF
The ground is mans ability to perform moral ac-
ton. Action Is rendered moral by two clrcum-
stancesirst, that It is voluntary, second that
II relates to somes law which determines its cnarac-
ter to be good evil. Against this doctrine OF The
freedom or the human will is the theory OF neces.
sity, which means tnat man is machine, and acts
as he Is acted upon. DR.. Newman took as AN Illus
tration OF perfect machine watch, to which we
may apply certain moral qualities saving IL Is trust
worthy OF unreliable; but the watch can act only in
given way, and cannot be considered subject
OF blame or praise Unless man possess ade-
a ia in fht
he is not morally responsible for his actions
Against the doctrine OF human Will some urge that
man IS Influenced by motives arising from the cir
cumstances IN which he Is placed; that these are
ordered by higher power, and, therefore, man is
man is Influenced by motive, but not always by the
strongest and highest motive; for he would secure
his best good by
OBEDIENCE TO GODS LAWS.
Again, men say, There is a Divinity that shapes
our endsn or in vulgar life one says, "A that
Is born to be hung Will never be drowned But no
man was born to be either. The faith OF Napoleon
In fatality did not create fatality. Theoretically
men may deny the freedom of the human will,
but practically they acknowledge 1t. In all Ian.
guages are found terms Of praise and dispralse.
historians are never weary OF holding up to exc.
cratioA such characters as "Bloody Nary or of
eulogizing such pure souls as that OF Lady Jane
Grey. civil government recognizes mans voli-
ttonal power. tree falling Kills man. but the
tree is not hung. Human law makes man anne
naDle to law; divine law recognizes mans accounta-
sponslble for obligations which he has not voiun-
tarily assumed2 WITH our broad American
lucas vi lTceUOH, we are at nrSt In-
clined TO answer in the negative, but
little deeper thinking leads to the
opposite conclusion just as child that has not
assumed voluntary obligation is held by society as
subject to the parents authority the citizen IS
!. held responsible for Obligations, whether yolun-
ally as umed or not Ii this be true in the family
dur be TACT in civil jurisprudence is it net also
trade iendous fact in the moral government OF GodY
rnMh clearly the Scripture brings out this grand
ny! novr Il, this
AZ RECOGNITION OF THE DESTINY OF MAN.
q lsing him above the brute-makIng him kindred
dth cod. rms responsibility on mans part de.
mands the highest personal improvement according
to our opportunities. Again, man is re-
sponsibie for what he might have BEEN
Compare the lives OF Wesley and yoltaire-both
men OF splendid intellect and possessing superior
advantages and privieges-the one living for God
and dong good, aud the other living among Infdels
and leaving an evil influence descending to all tlme
Man Is responsible for the ultimate results of his
actions Herod and Arnold, In the eyes of God, are
as guilty as though the one had killed the child
Jesus and the other betrayed his country DR.. New
man closed by an appeal to The men and women
listening to him to let tins grave thought take pos
session OF their hearts, that they might be better and
wiser now, ana that at the last day they might te
ready to receive the M ell done, good and faithful
servant, enter into the Joy OF your Lord"