The New York herald., 1872-11-25
CHURCH OF THE DIVINE PATERNITY.

DIR. Chaplin ON Overcoming EVIL with
GOod-The Cure for the Murders in our
Midst.
DR.. Chaplin preached yesterday at his church, on
Filth avenue ana Forty-tilth street, to large and
fashionable audience, IRON the twenty-frst verse
OF the twelfth chapter Of ROmans:-"Be not over
come OF evil but overcome evil with good" The
Bible, according to the reverend doctor, is among
Christian people the universal helper and adviser.
However 1t may have come forth from the
CRUCIBLE OF CRITICISM,
1t is accepted as the guide Of human conduct and
the standard Of authority all issues that arise in
our everyday word-in the street, the home and
the shop Upon whatever point we may need
enlightenment there Is to be found IN this
wise cOfsectiOn OF Oracles the needed
standard Of law, OF custom or OF social habit
Paul was emnenty preacher OF works. He dealt
in no abstract conclusions, but was essentially
practical, while in his epistes often, 1t is to be OBJ
served the elements of the highest life are carried
into things Of most familiar issue. practical
lesson of the utmost Importance and comprehen-
siveness is conveyed in our text. The epste is on
a special subject, but the text itself is principle,
and not speciu ruling 1t is well to beware OF
impractcable conclusions In discussing the propo-
sitOn, 'sBe not overcome with evil" The doctrine
OF nonresistance to evil was never contemplated
by the Apostle in this sentence. II the Christian
would indeed be no evil but in view Of Oft the present
state Of human morality it is not intended that we
should allow evil to go unchecked, or that we
should receive injuries without attempting to pre-
vent them.
TO LET CRIME GO UNFINISHED
would cause social dissolution, and good beyond
tnat OF the offender must be recognized. Ruilan-
ism, crime, redhanded murder, are just now sOrely
afllicting our city, and the punishment of the rul-
fans and murderers Is the overcoming evil with
good in this case. Just now we need great deal
OF this good that Overc0meth evil. The sanctity OF
human life Is violated at any time and place, with
no seeming fear of the law or of God before the
eyes OF the armed evildoers. 1t is good for all that
this mad career of crime should be stopped 1t is
fender who is prompted to deeper ventures in
crime by the unchecked career OF the darker ruff
fan; it Is good under the teachings of the law OF
Christian love. Justice is the good that overc0mes
this evl-justice, not so severe, not so harsh but
sure and quick One lightning stroke of clean JUS
tice Is worth deluge or sOw-comlng punishment.
The thing that ensures the end Of justice is that
1t Is sure and prompt. One of the most unhappy
reflections in regard to good is that an impression
Is general that
GOODNESS IMPLIES WEAKNESS;
that good person Is merely an inoffenslve per-
son, harmless individual who, indeed, cannot
ness should be strong The best good is not to be
found in an always smiling face. Is there no good
in the bitter medicine or the surgeons knife Un-
der the view that goodness is weakness good
books are published-the most trashy prints that
ever got into eXistence-which yet are read and
sustained because of their certain ''goOdishness.n
Justice that Is weak cannot serve its purpose. 1t
must be strong; but there is no justice without
mercy, and justice Is not revenge.