The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-03
TIE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
DR.. Sunderland ON the True Christian-Th
Attributes and Requirements of True Chris
uanity.

DR.. Sunderland the True ChrIstian-Thc
Attributes and Requirements Of True Chris
tiaBity.
WASHINGTON, April 2, 1871.
Rev. DR.. Sunderland, Of the First Presbyterian
church, preached yesterday morning on
WHAT MAKES A CHRISTIAN,
taking his text from Acts XII 26-"And the disciples
were called Christians first In Antioch" The text
raised the question, what makes Chrstian9 Some
answer this, in a general way that Christian is q
disciple OF Christ, and that which makes general
disciple OF Christ is the same that makes Christian
Disciple is derived from the Latin diScere, and is
the same term that was applied to the learners or
followers Of the Pagan philosophers. But In about
the year a. to distinguish the followers OF Christ
from those Of all other public teachers, they were
called Christians, taking their designation from
Christ their MASTER We find, then, that
there are really two things which may pro-
perry be said to make Christian.
There are two things which make disciple
Of Christ that is, following Him and Tearing OF Him.
This, however, implies certain other things,
namely-that we recognize His divine authority,
that choose Him freely and voluntarily out OF all
others as our souls Supreme Master, that We
accept Ills Instructions ana submit TO His dis
cipline, that we daily strive for new
obedience ana closer resemblance to Him
Master; that we believe in Him as our substitute
under the law ana before the government Of God;
that we apprehend Him In His various Offices and
relations, and give ourselves up wholly to His
guidance and control; that we trust Him for every
to our highest welfare; that we Snail trust dim now
and forever. In short, that we rely upon Him alone
soLAcE OF THE PRESENT LIFE
and for the triumph OF the time to come. This is
what makes Christian There are several false
notions respecting what makes Christian some
going to one extreme and some to another Many
suppose that TO be Cnistan is to be born In Chris
tian country. having Christian parents and Chris
tan education and ChristAn opportunities and privi
put one may be DISTINGUISHED for all those
disciple Of Christ. on the other hand there are
those who suppose that to be Christian one must
Is t Of sR sa II
this be literally so what SHAH we DO with the pub
ner, :" and went down to his house justified rather
than the Pharisee who boosted that he bad not
sinned like that publican What shall we do with
quoted simply expresses the antaRonism between
the spiritual and the carna the Warfare against sin
Sometimes that what makes Christian Is ISOLATION
from the world separation from secular pursuits;
but the duty Of Christians as well as OF other men,
Is to be not slothful in business. and beyond all
men. they are to be fervent in spirit serving the
Lord. II any one viii not work he shall NOT eat.
THE GREATEST or THE APOSTLES,
was tent maker, Peter was fisherman, Matthew
was publican. Again, 1t Is supposed that one
must abstain from innocent amusements, and de-
prive himself or all personal comfort, and impose
upon himself every sort Of sacrifice. While II may
be and should be conceived that there Is an obga-
tIon on every man to do all he can for the good OF
Others II IL not to be imagined for single instant that
In order to be Christian man must put away from
him every means OF his own enjoyment. every power
and facility for his own proper recreation and
refreshment Nor can IL be maintainen that In
der to be a true Christian one must be connected
with some herarchica or exclusive denomination.
DIR. Sunderland then quoted the testimony Of
Henry Rogers concerning his friend, Jonn Fuller,
as an evidence oil what Christian should
be, and referred TO the descriptions OF Christian
and unchrisian character that Bunyan had given.
Diversity OF Christian character does not imply vital
defect. we should not expect or desire the good to
be all alike, any more than we would have all the
members OF a family alike or all the flowers alike.
There are two functions OF the Christian In this
world. He rs to act as soldier, and he is TO be the
light OF the world. city that Is set on hin can
not be hid. We see FIRST that In making men Chris
tian we strike at the root Of all human evil.
" idle TO say that the experience OF human want
and misery Is In our surroundings in our physical
condition. tbs
MERE SENTIMFNrALrsM
TO say that individuals are not responsible but that
IL is society III general. All reformation That pro-
ceeds upon this principle will De fallacious and
utterly fail. DIR. Sunderland closet with an earnest
application OF the text to his hearers.