The New York herald., 1873-10-13
FOURTEENTH ST. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

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The Victories or Chrisr's Lovc-sermon
by the Rev. e. w. Hitchcock, Of Paris.
The Rev. E. w. Hitchcock the pastor OF The
American chapel in Paris and delegate to the
Evangelical Alliance, preached the sermon in the
Fourteenth street Presbyterian church, corner Of
Second avenue, yesterday morning, to a very large
congregation He took his text from the Gospel OF
ST. John, xvi. 80 The wisdom and the worth OF
the assertion OF St John, he said, had been recog-
nzed by the experience OF generations. The
scraps Of history that came down to them showed
how much the early Christians had suffered. All
that the word "trbulationn suggested they had
gone through. They were ready to sacrifice their
fathers, mothers, sisters their houses their
goods-yea, even their lives-in order to serve
their glorious Teacher, Christ.
After Calvary what could they not expects Was
1t not enough for the disciple to be like his Lords
Tney, the first Christians, were ready to
DRINK THE BITTEREsT CUP
with Christ. And, after all, what were all these
trbulations in comparison to the impershabe
glories which they had inherited' "In the world
ye shall have tribulations." This was the proph-
ecy. The earth was crimson with the blood OF
the righteous, and good men and good women had
felt the bitterness OF religious prosecutions.
scourgings, Imprisonment. death-all these were
tribulations which had been predicted by St. John.
There was scarcely chapter in the early ecclesl-
astical history that was not written in characters
OF blood. The satanic spirit still prosecuted all in
nature that was antagonistlc to itself. There was
the Hrrepressble conflict between right and
wrong and this contest would go on until Satan
was chained and bound and Christ reigned in
every heart
This age was, fortunately, not an age OF bloody
prosecutions on account OF religious belief The
leaven OF Christianity was gradually leavening the
whole lump Of humanity. The true soldier OF
Christ need, nevertheless not expect to rise to
heaven on a car filed with flowers. Let him ex-
pect TO be made a target
FOR THE SHOTS OF MALICE
and SANDER and prejudice and lnlqulty. Let him
be prepared to meet the vigorous blows Of the op-
position OF fidelity. In these modern times the
spirit that opposed itself TO the true Christian
and natter and rant and tear, whichever would
serve It's purpose best. The opposition Of sinful
heart, the err1ng conscience that must be righed-
all these were tribulations OF the true Christian
He must be q crossbearer II he would be disci-
pie. In all his endeavors the soldier OF Christ
must suffer tribulations. 1t by no means follows,
however that those who are not soldiers OF Christ
were iree from tribuations. The way OF the trans
In nature for which religion was responsible Blot
out the Bible every sentence and the stirring
acts of sickness and death and anguish renamed
fold
Christ would give balm to wounded hearts and
to all who sat in the shadow OF death This was
THE MISSION OF cHRIsT's RELIGION
"In the world ye shall have trlbuations;" but let
them be Of good cheer for there was higher
realm beyond. With some OF the soldiers OF Christ
the case was very nard one, on account OF their
own morbid sensitiveness, but all their consolation
must be ito be OF good cheern Christ's love sought
them before thev sought IL. Here was the triumph
OF love more complete than II was on calvary. He
overcame the worlds evil ana Satans most subtle
assaults. BY His truth He triumphed then, and still
trlumphed, over the worlds errors. HIS teachings
gave wings TO hope and gave motives the most
noble to all benevolent men.
Again, Christ trumphed over the worlds sin. On
Calvary He achieved His greatest victory, although
Ii was picture Of shame to the common eye.
Then 1t was demonstrated that death had no
power over
THE IMMORTAL POWER OF LIPE.
Such were some OF the victories Of Christ over the
world. But how were they to share themf Not
by heartess assent TO creeds and forms, but by
an al-controling, all-compeng faith, faith that
laid hold OF Christ and appropriated Him in all
iiest II worked through the heart. The seal Of
divine Love was upon such faith. He loved them
when He chas;ened them and chastened them
whom he loved. He lightened the stroke when
ever II was necessary.
Let them be Of great cheer, therefore, and culti
vate truthful, radiant piety. Let them not bear
burdens In their consciences when Christ was
ready to throw these burdens into the depths Of
the sea- Let them have cheerful face and a
cheerful heart and cheerful courage. Victory
would at last be theirs through Christ's blessed
consummaton. Every chain OF the martyr was q
ray OF lght every prison was
PALACE OF GLORY,
every day OF sorrow was thousand years OF COM
fort Joy without sorrow, possession without fear
OF loss-these would be the rewards OF the faithful
They would dwell In realms more blessed than
earth's brightest Edens God grant they might
reach these happy realms all through their Saviour,
Jesus Christ