The New York herald., 1871-03-06
CHURCH SERVICES In WASHINGTON.
DIR. NEWMAN ON CONSCIENCE
The Still Small Voice the Only Human
Quality Loyal to God.
DIR. Smith on the Duties OF the Good
Soldiers Of the Lord.
CHURCH or TEE EPIPHANY.

! Sermon by tho Assistant Bish0p Of Maryland
nm Spiritual Blindness and Want Of Faith
In the Church.
WASHINGTON, March s, 1871.
The announcement that Bishop Pinckney, the CO.
adjutor Of Bishop Wittngham, OF the Episcopal
Diocese OF Maryland, was to preach In the Church Of
the Epiphany this morning, drew together a large
congregation. The reverend gentleman took for his
text st. Luke Xviii, 35"And It came to pass that
as he came nigh unto Jericho certain blind man
sat by the wayslde begging"
There are, he SAID, many pictures Of our blessed
Saviour spread upon canvas which appeal to our
admiration, but In no attitude does He SO nearly
enter inlo our innermost heart as In
HIS ASSOCIATION WITH THE POOR,
the sick and needy, and more especially in the
scene where we find Him in the foreground with the
poor Nazarene, stricken down by loss OF sight.
Our Saviour approached Jericho. HIS steps were
moving slow. The multitude followed Him with
noiseless tramp On the roadside sat
poor beggar. His ears caught the unusual
sound or the multitude as they drew
near. He vaguely asked what it all meant the occa-
sion being one IN which he had never before been
participant. God had deprived him OF the sense OF
vision. To-day he had taken his accustomed posi-
tion by The roadslde the bright Sun had been hidden
from MS sight, the green grass he could not see.
All, brethren, this was pitiful sight. We are blind
and are turning away from the One who can give us
sigN. suppose it is nor too much TO imagine what
misery that poor blind beggar had passed through
in his solitude. some good samari-
tan took pity him and gave him
something 10 eat. Muthudes bewildered
him. They told him Jesus OF Nazareth passed by.
He cried out, "Jesus OF Nazareth, have mercy upon
me-" Hold thy peaceh said one, ut i'll becomes
thy condition a TO cry HIS name Hold thy peace y
gar was not easily rebuked. He could not be put
or by such laograGe. He wanted TO see the blue
heavens. The deprivation made his loss OF eyesight
depress him to terrible degree. He knew thai now
was his golden opportunity and ne should make all
the effort to improve IT, He therefore cried ont, Son
Of David, have mercy upon p He heard the
abuse; It was time 10 pause For some wise purpose
that me be brought % 70 him s sd has can
do for youl' me poor man cried, lord, have
long deprivation, be removed. That may have
What has been denied me-" Jesus said "Receive
ny and he dd so; so He He had ia been shut out
ask for ne would receive. He now gianees
fore-3esus Of Nazareth passing BY Brethren, may law
we not apply tbs to our cases Are there not some
blind beggar-those who are spiritually blInd2 In .
THOSE WHO ARE WITHOUT FAITH
or single word for God. The loss OF eycsght is
Jesus Of Nazareth passes by to-day. Ask Him
to restore your sight. He Is with Us in the spirit.
He pauses to look upon the poor blind beggars that
are at the wayside. As he stood on that weather
beaten path ana heard the cry Of that poor man.
''Son OF David have mercy upons pep' He stands
to-day. Bring that man 10 me-" the Saviour said,
and forget not that Jesus OF Nazareth passes by.
He who sam to the blind beggar, 'What would you
have?" says this to y0u:-Ask for sight ana y0u
shall receive it. you desire spiritual vision ask
Him while lie passes by. The miracle OF mercy
shown to the poor blind beggar will be shown to
YOU. Jesus Is ready to give sight 70 the spiritually
blind. NOW what the poor man asked for in sight
yon YOU ask for in faith You are sitting BY the way.
side, blind. ASK Him to restore your sight,
and 1t Will be done. Do you not catch
the echo as He goes Dy2 Do you not hear Ills loot
steps in BIS provdentla dealingsS Surely, brethren
everything seems to favor the return OF the sinner
Jesus OF Nazareth passes by. Let us press on our
way to Christ with the cry on our lips, .LOrd have
mercy upon us ~ he will give what you ask for
Follow the poor blind. beggar and ask for sight
The moral standpoint you occupy Is considerably
above tins man, You know more Of Jesus than the
blind beggar did, and now, as Jesus passes
by, you may cry in your anguish Jesus
OF Nazareth have mercy on us - Whenever
the call Is sounded, repentance Is near lie
passes by to-day. Cry out to him for sight 'Jesus,
thou son OF David, have mercy us! Forgive us
Restore 10 us our spiritual sight, that we may see
the path in which thou Walkest." That we may fol.
low therein le. 1t be your prayer. Be grateful to
God for bringing you In communion with Him.
Take the plan OF the blind Deggar and ask for sight,
and you win receive it. The truth He has revealed
to you partakers OF divine blessings. ASK for
light, brethren, and you will receive 1t.