The New York herald., 1873-09-29
BROOKLYN CHURCHES.
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.

The Author OF "Ecce Deus' in Plymouth
Pulpit-A Sermon by Or. Parker ON
Christ as an Unknown Quantity
Illustrations from the Life OF Jesus
and Their Exceptional Character
P0rtrnyed-Mount Vesuvius and the
Divine Peace.
The Rev. DR.. Parker, the author OF "Ecce Deus"
and pastor OF Congregational church in London.
England, preached yesterday to large congregar
tions In Plymouth church. The Doctor is Scotch
man, OF brawny rather than athletic build,
with rough irregular face and massive
brow. His accent has the Scotch ''burr'' in
1t, ana his elocution is characterized by
measured and impassioned intonation that indi-
Gates great depth or feeling and earnestness. In
action he ID impressive, and indulges In mimicry
without being theatrical. His sermsn yesterday
morning produced an Immense effect upon his
hearers and he played upon the auditory at will,
occasionally moving some OF the congregation to q
spontaneous and involuntary outburst OF express
sion, and AL to o concentration OF attention that
Mr. Beecher never surpassed In mis- best effOru.
The subject Of the sermon was "Chrlst as an Un-
known Quantity" and was based on the following
clause in the fourth chapter Of Mark and the forty
first verse :-"What manner OF man is this r' He
commenced by remarking upon the general con-
viction that there is something unknown and not
asked his hearers to oblige him by allowing HIM to
name 1t as the unknown quantity. Beginning, then.
TIE rooT OF THE LADDER
OF humanity, he sKetChed group or ordinary,
common laboring people into which, by design and
with view OF cOncealng his real character, gen.
in the clothing and assuming the manners Of the
people by whom he was surrounded. 1t was the
U he shCad not be- but
sciousy, some movement o. some gesture betrays
the man and the group suddenly "a and a. simuita; d9 I
They at once instinctvely perceive that they are
In the company Of gentleman, h. and M they wonder
quantity of Christ takes some such shape rs this.
The disguise OF humanity in Christ was very
wonderful but 1t was not quite complete: No dis
guise on His part can put God In total eclipse.
Then, as an indication. OF this-unknown quantity,
let them look at the purpose OF Christ II was to
this idea that we had no leverage to Impress IT
with; but there is no idea that IS 50 sublime M as
zen says, aSaye the city - the patriot says Savo
the country - but Christ rises to the sublimity of
s s is y M
This idea did not grow upon him, as 1t does with
men, until the idea rises lar beyond their first con-
A COMPLETE THOUGHT
from the nrst When the last earthly scene WA
idea. When He came back again to His stricken
disciples His hrst command was, GO ye into all
Christ was Aaa ' than Earthly When the
people were arrayed against Him, and He was
surrounded by MOB that was fed by a rage that
i give give unto YOU" Il give YOU my peace" We
see sometimes announced, Tremendous eruption
mile or but the nearest star knew nothing OF it;
it was ..y very great in the parish but 1T Is
asne IN s nsye Bus 0r noa tine
not astronomers, ana when we are surrounded BY
Sigoss," "ssapendous." This earth this beauti.
full earth, went round her old sun as II Vesuvus
ws regard or usss than
wooden houses and brick dwellings on. II our
relations are night we know what =
you" The unknown quantity OF Christ was
ora ,,.r.,o ssLpsAoEiFdcI Hu, S FanL ,,, tne or,s
nary. what he said Of His life was:-'I have power
to Iayit down. but l have power to take It up
nssiD' isser unto you and and to give His T life = ram.
som for many" 'If any man will come after mo,
s % To ES R Se doo
with HIM. This characteristic Of Christ, then, Is
benehcent, spiritual self-sacrincing and inde-
you account for itS l take this Bible as though
anybody had written 1t. don't ask you to take it
dreamer. Then you only increase the wonderment.
II you ind this dreamer then Will call him my
shall Ia separas ssy us 80
the love Of Christi Shall trbulaton, or distress, or
persecution or famine; or nakedness, or peril, or
ROMAN HISTORY WAS MADE.
Do accept this Christi yes it is the only sure
place, the only comfort accept Him as this is my
testimony :-"We see Jesus, who was made little
lower than the angels for the suffering OF death,
crowned with glory and power; the express image
Of His person, the brightness OF His glory and up
holding all Things by the word OF His power" DO
you believe this II we believe and accept 1t
there will be an unknown quantity IN US that the
world will not understand. There is an unknown
quantity in man, and no man can tell what his
capacity until the light of Christ has revealed
it. This religion goes out OF itself for humanity, Is
quick to succ0r, tells OF its peace to those who
know 1t not, and the religion that does this is
presumably true.