The New York herald., 1871-01-16
FIFTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.

Sermon on the Transnauration of Our Lord
by the Rev. DIR. Armitaae-Christ,s Mani.
fcstation of Mnjesty-From the Old TO the
New.
The dun, threatening state Of the weather on
yesterday morning, with its leaden clouds above its
chilly wind around and its greasy mud under the
feet, did not prevent full fashionable and devout
congregation rom assembling at DR.. Armitage's
handsome church. The uncertainty Of the weather
was visible only on
THE sUBDUED aUEs OF THE LADIES' GARMENTS
whlle the male portion presented the usual melan-
choy appearance OF the sex on the Sabbath. The
text OF the Doctors address was taken Luke ix
1885, In the life OF Christ strange blending
OF glory and humility. At Hts birth we behold
Him a helpless babe In stable, and at the
same time we see new made planet hung az q
lamp above it. Through the whole course OF His
life these double traits may be traced. And IN the
end before the Sun Of Calvary could have an oppor-
tunity OF withdrawing its light from His dear, dis
figured face" he had sent forth q light to eclipse
tnat same Sun upon Mount Tabor. His garments
mus. be ssl Az
BATHED IN GLORY
before they could be dipped In blood Like all acts
Of the Savlour's life He had lesson to teach Tne
best men have made most fanciiu interpretations Of
this great act but there could be but one real mean
Ing attached to 1t, and this was to afford special
occasion for perfect and full development OF our
Lords true character to His Church. The testimony
OF the blun ana honest fisherman, Peter, assures
TO the converted Jews, and says they did not put
forward '.cunnlngy devised faolesn OF God de-
scendlng on the earth, but they were eyewitnesses
TO HIS majesty and that the voice from Heaven on
the Holy Msnnt proclaimed inialliby the new dis
pensatlon Christ, the beloved son. The design OF
Peter was 10 declare, from his own personal Know
ledge, that Jesus was not sophlstIcated and spu-
nous incarnation OF the Godhead, subject TO the
most tangible laws Of evidence that fall under the
control OF hls own eyes and ears. 1t was
not as hitherto. through angels visits,
through patriarcEs and prophets. priests
ana seers thar God appeared but as o
man living among Us. AT first "the light
slined ia the darknesS: but the darkness compre-
,hended 1t not" Ills disciples believed Him to be
man OF very high order. His apostles were seized
with Tue idea that He was great prophet II be-
came limc, then,
40 DECLARE his sUPERHUNASITY.
They did nob know what the real WORK OF Christ
was, aud Peter declared when de spoke or the APP
preaching death anu resurrection after three DAYS,
az II lt were something degrading TO his Master We
see that TIC TRANSPORTATION was designed TO effect
solcMn lauguraono ol our Lord INTO His mediat0rial
once no iuucfloEs In tile presence OF Hls Church.
AS Inc representatives oI this Church He chose Peter,
James aud Johu--ne first preacner the first martyr
ana iAe last survivor OF the apostles. Away
from the dln and nuin OF men He took them to
mountain apart, aud while He prayed the fashion OF
his couneaance changed. Before their astonished
view tGerc caIae down Moses and Elijah, who con-
velsed with HIM. Here was the point OF departure
dis bsatnel companions were doses the founder OF
the law and ElI an, The head OF the prophets when
that loud deep voice was heard III the heavens
This i5 my beloved son. hear Him. The disciples
bowed their heads IN ave. and when they lifted their
cyes they saw no lnau only Jesus. Mark the holy
significance OF TINS. rsee
kI WE HAVE DONE WITH MOSES
aud the prophets, and Jesus Is enceiorh head
all. Z he evangel was proclaimed and they spread
themselves abroad TO preach the unrivaIled
cellence Of Christ aud AH Law. " Jesus