The New York herald., 1871-01-02
SERVICES In WASHINGTON.
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METROPOLITAN METHODIST CHURCH.
Tho Aim and Advantages of n Noble Life
Sermon by Rev. Err. Newman.


sermon by Rev. Err. Newman.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1, 1871.
A large audience, OF which General Grant was a
member took advantage or the beautiful weather
this morning to fill Rev. Dr. Newmans church Be-
fore commencing his sermon DR.. Newman took oc.
casion to wish his audience
"HAPPY NEW YEAR,
Referring to the observance OF New Year o-day he
appealed to his hearers to let their scaling" be
Quoted on temperance principles, and suggested to
the ladies that their personal attractions were
sufficient for the entertainment OF the gentlemen
without Offering to them any harmful beverage. Last
year Washington had the honor to have temperate
New Years observance, and he hoped 1t would be
90 this year. DR.. Newman announced his subject as
"The Aim and Advantages Of Noble Life" The
text in Philippians, first chapter and twenty
frst verse-"For me TO live Is Christ and to die is
gain.n In this sententious saying are embodied
two Of the grandest thoughts which can occupy
the attention OF an intelligent being
LIFE AND DEATH
are presented In the relation Of usefulness and ad-
vantage. The apostle designs to have grand life
aim and to do his uttermost 10 reach that aim, and
yet after ALL he declares that death will be
10 him an advantage. 1t is possible that
pastors dwell too much on death and too
little on the actualites and positive influences OF
and not life from death. But the great apostle
takes care OF the present and lets the future take
care OF ITSELF He dwelis earnestly on living, know
Ing death Is but transit. This subject suggests
the ann and advantages OF noble life. 1t was
Paey who drew most conclusive argument from
the material universe for the existence OF q God
showing that where there is design there must
have been q designer, with intelligence and
ana tbs cs Cream e oa e ese S s Ma
good. That there Is design In the creation no man
who is not fool or lunatc can deny. To the
lrl- 4 fhnrn hl M IN ~
position OF the stars; but the astronomer 1t In
the relative proportion OF matter in each planet and
the influence OF distance upon these bodies. So, tOo
may design be seen the relation Of the atmosphere
and the ocean, the one being lifted to receive the
moisture impaired by the other In the structure Of
man the same display or plan Is seen. Where
strength and iexlpinty are required In tine spinal
column there theyAre found. The adaptation OF the
as the lynx, eagle and OWL to their diirerent circam
stances are all indicative OF wondr0us plan, and
challenge the admiration Of the soul till Ii is ready
10 cry out, ..Great and marvellous are thy works,
GO0p From the fact that design Ia so apparent
In the material universe Or. Newman drew the m
ference that man must have been created for some
end. He showed that this end was net social or
financial or political power; for Queen ElizaDetn,
the woman who had attained the most In these d.
"MILLIoNs FOR ONE MOMENT OF TMEp'
this world with the sole aim Of acquiring know.
ledge although this Is commendabe In itself, as 1t
mplupIes mans power, gives to his keeping the
mysteries OF nature, enables him to measure the
stars to determine the age Of the EARTH and to
from the level OF animal almost angels' height.
Yet with all this he Is still but picking up pebbles
on the shore while the ocean lies beyond Neither is
mans life aim the forming OF earthly friendships,
although there can be nothing nObler than true
and enduring friend. There must be something
higher, something beyond. Is 1t pleasure, or the
gratihcatlon OF the appetite, or the material de.
mands OF the physical systemY Nay, for these are
but for moment. They are as the dews on the
dalsys cup, which are kissed away by the sunshine
OF the morning. what, Jhen is the end or mans
exlstenceY He Is gifted with an intellect which
enables him so to appreciate the werks Of crea-
lion as to lead him up 10 the Creator.
HIS moral and affectionai nature makes him
capaele Of companionshlp with the Infinite.
worship Is not servitude, nor are Worship
pers servants; they are, rather, companions and,
whatever may be the happiness OF social existence
here, the soul still sighs for a love higher than
design is further indicated by the power entrusted
TO man. DR.. Newman then went on to show the
great advantage to every man to have some
LIFE AIN,
if 1t were but to amass certain sum OF money to
win seat In senatorial halls but that the highest
and purest aim can have is to model his charac-
ter after that OF Christ, and to identify him.
self In the great movement OF the evangelism
tion Of the world. Such being the aim OF a
noble life the advantage resulting from that
words TO die is gain.n Death is gain, because it
gives the entrance TO mortality and life Of purity;
because the minG free from SIN and error, may de.
vel0p and attain to greater excellence. 1t is gain
because ft reuntes long parted friends and 1t adj
mts us TO the immediate presence OF Christ. This
TO model our characters alter His. Let this be our
grand inspiration and as we pass from earth may
our dying accent be, ITO die is galn."
AT the close OF the sermon the Lords Supper was
partaken or TO which all Christians 0f every name
and description were invited