The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-13
CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH.

Chances at jesus Life and NIission-NIis-
takes by Looking at Only One Of His
Qunlities-This World Part OF the Next
Sermon by Rev. q. w. Briggs, OF Cam
bridge.
There was, as usual, a large congregation at the
Church Of the Messiah, corner OF Park avenue and
Thirty fourth street. Rev. G. w. Briggs d. D., of
Cambridge occupied the pulpit His text was
chosen from John--"There was msErage in Cana
and the mother Of Jesus was there, and both Jesus
was called ana his disciples to the marriage"
/ think, he began, that We seldom
grasp the true meaning OF this incident
in the history Jesus. Contrast it with the scene
almost Immediately preceding It; see how beauti-
full 1t Isl Observe Its place in the record Of His life
consider what revelation it Is both OF His Gospel
and His hearth He had gone to the wilderness for
solitude in which to mediate. He seemed like
ANOTHER JOHN THE BAPTIST.
But the loneliness OF the wilderness gives place
to jubilee. 1t is marriage festival. On the third
there was a marriage. Three days was Jesus
in the desert; on the third He was at
the nuptias. He is no longer austere; His
brow Is no longer wrfnked with suffering. All
the sweetness OF His nature gushes FORTH He is the
loving man. the one we can take to our hearts and
keep there. What did Jesus do when He came down
from temptation ? His first action Is the key. He
mixed in revelry; temptation was an Incident
OF His ministry. lie does not by set designs strive
to accomplish this or that; no one was more spon
the hour, demanded After charging on this part
OF his subject the speaker proceeded to state that
religion has suffered greatly suffered, but suffered
MISCONCEPTIONS OF IT'S DISCIPLES
Let them not quarrel with those of another belief
Christianity Is not to be proved by the sword. Let
them show the omnipotence OF God, the symmetry
and grace of His religion Men looked upon Clirists
solitude and became ascetics. They forgot His
attendance at the marriage feast, His participation
WORDS FROM THE PULPIT
This world Is q prison, place OF probation, We
hear that Jesus suffered; the love Of some men has
been concentrated upon that quality. His brow
wrn1s9 win oaas pq al His BODY
lelt "A intense, as thrilling pleasures His suffer
IL a9 aa a ns Wished Wis "a. that
emblem of pain and ignomy-somethipg that should
symbolic Che Joy of Christianity. II father will
give good gifts to his children how much more viii
ask This earth Is not a curse. God made it and
called 1T good. In Him we live and move and have
curse Il III Learn to look at 1t with Jesus, seek
GOD AND coon N EVERYTHING.
HOW beautiful TO view the world as led by Jesus
What fascination in everythingl This contempla-
tion may bring devotional sentiments, but devo-
tlonal sentiments are vain when viewed with one
good action. Jesus tells us how surprisingly lovely
one good action Is; how much OF Heaven there is In
it. de sees In 1t all the beauty and majesty OF an
will be done on earth as il is In heavenn annihllate
the space between heaven and earth. Jesus did
not come to prepare us for heaven. He came to
MAKE HEAVEN on EARTH, I.
The sdoctrIne OF Jesus Is one fhe passages OF
s" sss Esa '2 s! ss to Spe
the beauties OF the earth; to make the humbiest
duty grand; to make the world room In the
Fathers mansion. What harmonies are there be-
tween the exposition Of Jesus and science IA 1t
gradually expands The law Of nature is always
the same. The spiritual law is always the
same. There are many mansions in the Fathers
house, but the same presence, the same benef-
cence pervades them all. When will the JOY that
reigned at the marriage feast reign on earthY