The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-05
that they WIN by and by be clothed with the robes
ST. JOHNS METHODIST Episcopal CHURCH.

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Spiritual Consciouaness-Sermon by Rev. MIR.
Chapman.
The newly appointed pastor OF the ST. Joints
Methodist Episcopal church, Bedford avenue, the
Rev. ]. A. M. Chapman, OF Boston, continues to
attract throngs to hear him. An additional reason
the crowded state Of this beautiful edi1ce Is the
reorganization of the choir, under the leadership OF
Professor Otto Fox.
Yesterday morning Rev. Mr.. Chapman discoursed
from the tenth verse OF the iifih chapter of the
first Epistle of John-sHe that belleveth in the
Sou OF God hath the witness IN himself"
The reverend gentleman in his Introductory
observations gave clear and condensed
statement or the history OF mental philosophy
In its various stages showing that materialsm,
idealism, absolute skeptcism and mysticism, al
though right in inception, were all wrong in the
conclusions to which they came The text called
their attention to consciousness as applied TO
Christian experience Consciousness is the basis OF
beng and of knowledge, ana some one had said
it Is the echo Of our mental state. Descartes once
said,
IL THINK; THEREFORE, AM"
But more truly 1t might be said, II am conscious;
therefore l am.n Consciousness attested the truth
OF Christianity, and although the evidence OF
prophecy, OF miracle, and OF the history OF
Christianity were strong proofs Of It's reality but II
lney were Tie only cVluenCeS tue MASSES COuiu
never be reached as these evidences were
only available to lew. How few have
the time, amid the pressure OF business amid
the cares OF family, amid all tho
duties that grow out OF the diversified relations OF
lfe to read the books tnat cover very small part
Of the s external evidences of Chrstianlty How few
have the means to obtain these books, or the ability
to collect and mass these evidences so as to come
TO any satisfactory and ineligible conclusion.
But the great truths OF the Gospel, such as the
lstence unity, holiness and atherhood OF God; such
mi n npT
such as the divinity Of Chrlsrs person aud work,
are so congruous with human reason, the
necessities and aspirations OF the human SOUL that
they need only be announced to have their con-
seriousness stamp them as divine and true. Christ
ness meets the SOUPS idea OF morality, and the
Motherhood OF God just comes in to respond to the
FINAL LONGING OF THE HUMAN SOUL.
The Gospel eXqulstely fits into humanity that
the beauty Of its adaptation proves IL to be from
God that He who made man made the Gospel, and
thus 1T commends itself to every mans conscience.
The Gospel IS proved by consciousness In the TACT
that Its history proves that it thus meets the neces
sites and wants OF men, II was said that this
proves too much; for II the history Of Christianity
proved tito be divine then the history Of Mohammed
anism, Buddhism and all other systems OF religion
might equally prove their divinity, for they have been
embraced by as large number OF persons as Chris.
fundamental diference-Christlanliy postulates
ITS whole success upon ;. It's own merits
IN a se Ga IL sn aso
which was not true Of other religions; and also
Christianity was the most prosperous In the highest
vanished Just as human CIVILIZATION advanced IL
was sad that Christianity Is waning anu u 10 be SUI
perseded by some new ulSpesation OF relieion Dut
tne iact was that, Notwithstanding me efforts OF me
rationalists, there never was time since Christ
mdue us ADVENT wen onrlseal1y Was achieving
such splendid riumphs and winning SO many
aurels as now CONSCIOUSNESS attests Tue realty OF
experimental religion; for he that believes mas the
Witness IN himself They who possess TINS con
sciousness 90 not nope, nor guess, nor lhlnk; but
tney KNOW IN Whom they Delleve OpecuVe chris.
tanlty might be proved by external evidence, ana
might not De douoted, out u was only Wheh tne
Clear Ight OF heaven shone upon tue CONSCIOUSNESS
OF our souls that we acknowledged Christlants 70
I've diVlne philosopher might prove 70 the salis-
laction OF pilnd man that nght was exacty
adapted TO the eYe put ~ was only Wnen Tue cataract
was removed ana ms eye was niied Win tue ciear
light OF heaven that he really knew IT, 30 1t might
he proved TO the sinner tnat there was
PARDON, PEACE AMP JOY
IN the Gospel out IL was Only wnen lhe sense OF SIN
mas been removed and the CONSEQUENCES Oh the
alVine approval attaned-lt was only When unrest
mas been succeeded ny tranqnnlty-that IL became
matter OF positive knowledge Again, CONSCIOUSNESS
IS lne most uncontroVeruple witness. ING
testimony OF me senses was not Nv al,
times RELIABLE, but WHAT CONSCIOUSNESS stamped
as true Was forever put peyohu aoupt OF aISu-
mem. Ihnosopners might pe aoe 70 coif nee