The New York herald., 1871-10-30
NEW ENGLAND CONVERSATIONAL CHya sa.

Human Mercy to Be Modelled After Divine
Mercy-Znccheus Held Up Example 10
Pillagcrs Of the City Treasury-sermon ON BY
Rev. DR.. Morrell Richard.on.
There was the usual large attendance at tho ser.
vices yesterday morning at the New England Con-
gregati0nal church, corner or Madison avenue and
Forty seventh street. Rev. Dr.. Morren Richardson
preached one O1 his usual eloquent discourses which
was listened to with marked attention. His subject
was
'THH DIVINE MERCY OUR EXAMPLE,"
and the text upon which 1t was based. Luke W., So.
"Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also II
mercifuL" In God both justice and mercy are per-
feet. Could we grasp all divine attributes in their
fulness we should ind no antagonism. His charao
Ger is unit. Mercy and justice are eternal attri
butes OF His being God pities, forbears, has
passion exercises patience and pardons as occasion
calls. he also condemns, executes Judgment, shows
His righteous wrath turns against men ana nalions
rejects and casts or rs the case demands. After
further preparatory observations showing hat God,
being supremely good, aims only ut supreme good,
he proceeded to consider the
EXTENT OF GODS MERCY
in His clemency, compassion tenderness pity. for.
bearance, pardon abounu!ng grace-in word all
that is included in the word mercy God goes as far
c eds in N gM fe Se
takes this ground. 1t would take whole sermon
to quote ITS passages Mercy began VII, With the the race;
The only New Testament repeats the idea that God
receive Seu sso IT. Men Gts resist % HIS pill reject HIS
harden % si tneIr hearts. a Taey vii! not let God
rule over them. He would have all men
their talents light age, condition-these are nauGht;
these are not In the way Gods mercy, like the sun
reaches to the couas deives the deepest depths Of
the ocean; 1t takes within Its scope tue breadth OF the
It Sa Sancn ane oyer oe s
discourse he entered upon the SECOND topic-an
inquiry \
1t cannot alter creation or repeal o single law OF
nature. Not a Jot or little or Gods law or govern.
nature to allow men peace or pleasure in money.
Good men and bad suffer alike under natural laws.
God pities the poor the outcast, every suffering nu-
man being, but IL does not change the order or ma
ture. Elaborating this point more at length ne
next dwelt upon the suiierings which have to be
borne through the folly carelessness or SINS Of
Others He pictured as terrible the burdens which
wicked governments placed upon the industrious.
ETY. lay upon the the virIuoas. God sees it best
to let men see these things and apply the remedies
elements, tend to correct themselves. Men need
the instruction and discipline which comes from
their inquites; but He Will not compel them.
father may command. entreat. expostulate, yet
leave the responsibility with the son. While men
go on IN transeression they cannot ne blessed. He
referred TO the prodlgal son, and showed that
10 the law Of duty. God does not nnct sunerlng
arbitrarily or capriciously. He created our nature
for good Every law Of body and soul has good for
Its end. We can obey and live, or rebel and die.
In conclusion he showed how men can be merciful,
as God Is mercilul. We can do good to thuse who
do evil; we can bless, and not cnrse We
can be patient and forbearlng towards wrong.
doers; we can pity the poor and guilty;
we can entreat and persuade to right; We
can beseech men to be reconciled to God we can
follow Christ In His patience with evil, and this TOO.
without countenancng sin; we can condemn sin
ana wlckednoS5, we can ash for the criminal law 10
be executed with The guilty and yet desire every
criminal to cease to do evil-that Is, our sense OF
justice s In keeping with our sense OF mercy. In
our private relations we can exercise cemency and
do good to all meu. So can we MAINTAIN law and
government as part Of mercy. Governments are Of
God. 1t would be injustice and cruelty TO the inn0
cent to let thieves and assassns and incendlarieS 60
unpunished.
CIVIL LAW MUST HAVE ITS COURSE,
as Gods natural law, else all good would be de-
sir0yed. But while we demand justice we can be
mercilul, as God Is merciful. There Is good deal
of talk OF pity and mercy for great criminals.
Gladly would we have great criminals so confess,
repent, restore and reform that we could actually
bestow pity and mercy. Why will they not come
under terms Of mercy? But II they scorn mercy, II
they ask 1t not and Will receive it, how II bo
gIvenS When 2accheus said, "lf | nave taken moro
than Is right l Will restore fourfold" Christ
replied, salvation Is come to thy house."
Notable men there are in this city who should fol-
low the example or Zaccheus, aud the same mercy
and salvation might be theirs.