The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-31

True ana Counterfeii ReltsiOn-NationaI Cor
ruption the Ourgrowth of Individual seifsh-
ncss-Sermnn by Rev. DIR. Gutheirn.
The charming weather OF yesterday lent an add.
tIOnal attraction to the services OF the sanctuary
and large and fashionable congregation gathered
In the Temple Emanuel, In Fifth avenue. The Rev
DR.. Gutheim continued his series OF discourses on
"Tne Spirit OF God In Man COntrasted with the Ma
tural Spirit OF Man." His text was Numbers xvii,
Island the Lord said unto Moses Take thee
Joshua, the son OF Nun, q man In whom is the
Spirit and lay thine hand upon him." &C. The
Doctor in prefacing his remarks, briefly snmmar-
zed the points elucldated in former disc0urses,
and showed that every man is endowed with
TINS Spirit OF God. which It is here declared
Joshua had, and that Its prerogative Is to
exercise control the spirit OF sel1shness which
is the natural spirit OF man. Every man Is inclined
to think at times that ne is the centre round which
all things revolve and the counterpart OF this spirit
can only emanate IRON the spirit OF God In man,
which enables him to accomplish whatever good or
noble thing he succeeds in. Comparatively lew are
conscious OF this higher destiny, or fully realize the
excellence Of their relation to God and their interest
in eternity The Doctor next spoke OF the operation
OF the spirit OF God ~ man. Which, though NOT con-
limited in Its operations by the selhshness Oh men.
DOES NOT FAVOR GENERAL DEPRAvIrY
nor original sin, but II teaches the GOdlxe capacity
oil the human SOUL and asserts that the spirit OF God
Is manifested as much to-day ever It was. Every
manifestation OF goodness which excludes selfish
ness Is OF the spirit, but wherever selhsnness pre-
walls we may look IN vain FOR this spirit; 1t Is wholly
the spirit Of God is also called the spirit of wis.
| DOM. 1t makes choice OF laudable ends and seeks
| the best means to accomplish them. Nor 1t IL
bounded by temporal existence, butncludes eternity
as well as time. While estimating material Things
at their true value Is the chief aim OF wisdom to
! promote the moral growth OF mankind. The spirit
| OF wisdom ID essentially the sDirit OF penevolence
dence winch prevails and which SO sterny asserts the
individual claims No one need be at o loss to dis
| the Doctor then spoke OF the element OF justice
which enters into this spirit and remarked that
much as In the circumstances In which 1t exceed.
Both have the same object IN view-namely, the
Cubic re Hss %
unchcng1ng course OF action; while benev0ence
exists where no definite rules can be enforced but
every man Is LETT to his own individual discretion
The nature OF justice - to be tmpartia OF Geneva.
ence to be dlfuslve II 1t be in the nature OF JUS
neighbours good it is unjust for US to desire or to
| demand more than their true value for our ex-
| manageable commodities.
MUTUAL BENEFIT IS THE. BASIS OF ALL TRADE
and commerce. and we have no right TO offer IN eX
change that which bears no real proportion to the
GOODS to be exchanged or the ser nee rendered. A
just man may not take the same care OF his neigh
boris property as he would OF his own, because THIS
principle In its application would be found lmpraC
tlcable, since every man Is supposed TO know what
is best for himself. But when a man knows that
| mutual benefit he has no right to think that his
nelghDOr can take care OF himself, nor to take ad-
vantage OF his neighbours apparent carelessness or
inability to look after his own interests. The
| man who sets his own private interests above
a ing are a VINO naSes nr
tence or leaving his neighbOr to provide for himself
| gives hin as an equivalent IN bargain that which
he knows Is worth nothing, he may raise higher
| head In this selfish world but he knows nothing Of
justice and, If he does, he never practices It, such
| a man can know nothing OF that genuine happiness
OF the soul which Is worth more than ali that Is
| gained by seltishness.
| WE CARRY OUR SHAME ON OUR FoREHEADs.
Most Of our institutions grow out Of our corrup
ton and extravaganza. We must watch lest we
abuse each Others confidence and take ad-
| vantage OF the trusts imposed In us to be-
tray them. In our general, State and munich
pal governments active Investigations are going on
at this time 10 ascertain to what extent the pu0llc
iunclonares have betrayed the trusts committed to
| their keeping Is 1t not humlllating even to think
men were what they should be-if they were ami
mated by the true sptrt-we should fnu In every
| boris interest; and we should want better w.t.
than the neighbours conscience. Is this never
mankind when. as the prophet has declared. '.They
shall neither hurt nor destroy IN all my molly noun
tain. for the earth shall be 1u OF the knowledge OF
OF civil institutions Is to uphold the interests Of the
feeble by the majesty Of the State But no principle
or justice can take the place OF true religion, and
| Judaism is the exponent OF true religion, as
given by God, and holds that whatsoever says what
Is thine Is thine and what is mine Is mine asserts
doctrine which is false and Injurious. THIS puts the
neignDor in our power, that we may gain possess
| sion OF that which Is hts. The other renders the
novel Of the poor as sacred as the palace Of the
wealthy and the helpless from the grasp OF
the oppressor. 1t teaches us TO keep clear Of tneir
cOunsels. Men are inclined 10
| STOOP TO HONOR SUCCESSFUL vILLANY
| and to admire the ease and wealth In which 1t
revels. But true religion looks through this false
| splendOr and detests the baseness which lies be-
| meath. man endowed with the true spirit appeals
to the dictates OF conscience and will not take adj
| vantage Of the ambiguity OF words to beat down
| what he knows to be substantial claim. He
Will not even press undoubted rights too closely
lest he should trespass on justice 10 his neighbOr
He holds nothing because the law Will not take II
away, nor gives up anything because the law de
mands It; his motto Is, 81 Will take all that the Law
allows" There is o natural law that that which
| belongs to earth will tend toward Its centre. A
mysterious force in OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
every particle belonging to It, ana In similar sense
| sELFISHNEss OPERATES ON MEN,
and II left alone, would draw everything TOWARD
Itself and hold 1t in an iron band This spirit II
| synonymous with darkness OF soul and frigldity o
heart. But another and opposite law Is found II
the spirit commended IN the texttne spirit OF Goo
In man. 1t does contract the heart but leads Il
everyth thing noble and good. on, that all the peopl
or God were prophets, and that God would put Al
spirit In them Amen