The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-25
Nnarty vas near at hand. Rev: Father Burke u
Sn0rty TO lecture in aid OF the House OF the Good
shepherd In this church for the above object.
THE POUGHKEEPSIE PULPIT.
THE MILL STREET CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH, POUGHKEEPsIE.

Sermon on "Truth'' by the Rev. James G.
Beecher-His idea Of What Constitutes u
Christian and How to Become One.
Since the pastorate Of Rev. James G. Beecher,
brother or Henry Ward Beechcr, over the above
church began, about month so ago, increased
religious interest has been manifested by the con-
Rregallon. The reverend gentleman with the CHAR
Rcerlstic enthusiasm Of his family, has unused new
zeal INTO the membership, and new era OF SPIT
)tuai prosperity is dawning upon the church. me
interior OF the church editce has recently
been reirescoed and rented and presents
fine appearance. Yesterday morning large
and devout congregation assembled 10 listen to an
able discourse on "rrutn.v Mr.. Beecher's tex. was
Corinthians !, viil., 2"And II any man think that
he Knowetn anything, he knowe:n noInlng Yet as
ne ought TO know.n
The reverend gentleman opened MS discourse by
Daying-Pllate asked the Master
'.wHAT Is TRUTHPp
Ind received no reply. In very much the same
spirit men and women nave been and are repeating
the question, asking Tor some complete formula
containing the truth, the whole truth nothing but
the truth; some formula OF faith absolute, unques-
uonable, eXDaustlve; something winch, being
learned anu proiessed there siall be nothing more
10 learn. In response to Lhs demand men aud co...
lecIOns Of men navs endeavOred to
CRYsTALLIzE REVELATION
lnto set form anu sllpe and make what Is called O
tsystemo ana inns system Is declared TO be the
run. so 1t happens tnat we md, don't know
just how many, different schools answering the
question OF ruate, winch our Lord ala not answer;
aud Since no Two give the same answer, but, on the
contrary, contradict and wax
CONTENTIOUS oSE WITH ANOTHER,
u ~ at least PROBABLE that none nave replied cor
recty. From this standpoint the question has no
answer. Inere IL not anu cannon be Tor men, any
such thing as that OF which Plate questioned OF
winch scholars pretend 10 describe. For us
SPIRITUAL TRUTH Is RELATIVE.
we may know truth or many truths. God alone
knows the whole truth concerning anything IN the
ent anu the iutdre God alone is competent
iSr tna, xae roo. OF al tnat 10 s deep buried IN
ABOVE THE CLOUD
o. Inc future. we see only the present. except as
what OF the iu.ure revealed, and oaly so ucn or
either as We are able to comprehend. The truth to
wGlch ne lalrly holds ana lives by; no more ana no
less he lulness Of truth Is IN God alone That Is
Gods truth. Ours is Just tina. portion OF Gods
adopt as formative in1uence-nake q part OF our
Inner lie. You cannot iorce more tnan pint OF
ccsan WHAT you take DIP depends entey on what
you dip with. The smallest vessel holds true sea
wa.er the largest only an lntnteslnal part OF the
whole No man needs to know the truth respecting
God orreveatlon from God. Whatever oil truth one
trun, anu viii De Inc INIT INIT Of III IL until by il lie ea
larses to greater capacity. suppose the true
philosophy o. Christianity TO be that we should 90
back III the lie o. Jesus-baCk, back, no matter
far as to be sDls fully 10 aIprecaisS
GOD AND TRUTH
This IL why the perfect manhood of our Lord is 40
deermnately set forth in the Gospels, In order that
somewhere In that lie we may 1nd point wnere
our own life ana 1t come together. That point Is
the truth. and from II growing and by its inspra-
uon ilving, we shall oe led higher and higher Just
how much 81 feeling one must have In order 70
begin To be Christian is aquesllOn better let alone
than tempered with. Every man VIII testify ao-
cording 10 experience, and tne range may be any.
where
FROM ZERO TO FEVER HEAT.
CDrist Is, or may be, one OF The coolest ca!mest acts
Of u iiietime, and possible Act at any moment,
independent OF excitement OF outward pres.
sure. Ii any one asks, then, How shall
become q Christian | reply, by begin.
ming to be one, and now is The accepted
time. II one so beginning asks. How shall mature
In the Christian HE reply, by gong anead just as
you began, counting every experience an advance
no experience u linaity. No man SHOULD say he has
experienced rel igOn as Indicating iinisned work
A growing man Experiences religion every day, auC
the DAY he stups growing ne stops being Christian
On the other hand, ne VINO ut any point OF his life Ii
moved by the Holy Spirit to desire higher lie
and in consequence OF that desire begins 10 follow
the dictates Of conscience, ana pattern life
adopts the life OF Jesus anu by His comfort ng orc
10 led TO follow on-ne IL . Christian, no matter
how far back In the reveaed lie tue TWO ives have
come into UNISON