The New York herald., 1872-12-16
WORSHIP IN WASHINGTON.


Methodist Episcopal Church-Sermon
ON tho Similarity OF Christian Char
acter to that OF Chiidhood-A Distin-
guished Congregation.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. Is, 1872
At the Metropolitan Methodist Episcopal church
che atte ndance to-day was very large and the at
'tention to the services very marked. Members OF
Congress In great numbers worship here and vis-
tors to the Capitol are attracted by the church,
the services and the distinguished occupants Of
pews. The edifice s very large and beautiful, the
service under the present pastor more stately than
is usual in Methodism, and the presence OF the
President and Vice President and Chief Justice,
who are regular attendants, attracts many
, curious sghtseers. At the close OF the MORN
ing service the pastor asked for $4,000, to
make good deficiency occasioned by the inter-
ruption OF regular services last Summer DR.. Eddy
having been removed in May by election to the
missionary secretaryship and DR.. Tiffany not hav-
ing been appointed till late In the FALL
THE MORNING SERVICE
was from Ephesans, ", 1-"Be ye therefore fol-
lowers of God as dear chidren.n The method of
Christian life was declared to be following God as
children. The relationship was asserted to be
tratve ofis divine origin. II we are to be taught by
example as our nature necesstates the example
presents these qualifications, and while we occupy
i relation to God in many respects like
nt Of Ss lie If to the te aso cS
responds with that Of children to their fu.
ture, From both of these facts useful lessons may
be learned. The speaker presented the analogy OF
Christians to earthly children as necesstated, in
respect to knowledge, which both In child and
Christian must from the nature Of the be rela
tive in kind and imperfect in degree, yet always
sufiictent for present duty, growth and culture In
each bringing broader views, correcting
wrong impressions and rounding the character
with completeness, till those who In beginning
new life see but through glass darkly come at
last to see face to face. so as the world and the
Church advance the narrowness OF sectarlan big
otry gives way TO
THE BROAD, KINDLY CHRIsrLIyEss
which makes every man our neighbor who needs
be like children In the duties they perform. Love
Is TO be the spring OF all obedience. Terror may
drive men to the right way; IT cannot lead them
In IL. Obedience to God is to be just what we ex.
pect and require In children implicit, prompt,
continuous; all is to he rendered in trustfulness.
relying on the wisdom and goodness Of the
Heavenly Father.
Childlike dispositions become the Christian; ;
humility as opposed to presumption; docity, which
Implies listening with candor and patience taxing
clearly apprehended; "Receiving the Kingdom OF
God rs little chid;' being swift to near, SLOW
TO speak I" waiting In resignation Tor lul unuer-
standing till powers shall mature and knowledge
xtends into fields now unknown.
1t 1t be true that Christians are necessarily
LIKE CHILDREN
fn knowledge, and ought to be ike chiluren IN
duty and disposition they may also be ike children
In the privileges which await them. These include
paternal care and interest, home, with its loves
and conpanionship, family Inheritance ana kins'
manship.
The whole theme was simply and beautifully pre-
sentc,l, and lett very marked Impression upon the
audience.