The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-07
LYRIC HALL.

Palm Sunday-The Passion Week-The
Atlantic Disaster-SermOn by the Rev.
o. Il. rockingham.
The services at Lyric Hall yesterday morning
were unusually well attended, considering the
menacing clouds and chilly winds. After the eX-
ercises OF singing and prayer came the sermon.
This Is Palm Sunday, Mr.. rockingham commenced.
and this week is Passion or Holy Week, one of the
great ieasts OF the world. 1t existed thousands OF
years before Christ was born. This festival is OF
the dying and suffering God. The passion is Of the
worship or mankind.
THE FIRST WORSHIP
was OF the heavenly bodies. People adored the
sun, and when Its light began to grow dim as
short days approached, prayers were said for the
deliverance OF that deity. When the shortest day
came they set up walls and sung funereal songs.
Every year this Passion Week was observed as the
light OF the sun began to grow dim. We seem to
see in the world weeping, sefsacrifcing Provi-
dence The world is full of pathos. The poet
speaks OF the stars weeping over the wretchedness
OF man. We think Of the vast wealth hidden in
the bosoms OF great rivers, rolling across CONT
nents, that no man can enjoy. We hear q great
deal about mans being at the mercy of nature.
There is iron waiting patiently in the earth for
man. When II is found they forge II INTO cannon
for the destruction OF natures children. See how
nature Truly the passion week OF nature is very
long. In
THE FEARFUL WRECK OF THE ATLANTIC
did the ocean desire to drink up ali those lives or
did the wind want to make it impossible for those
wretches to be rescuedY The winds and waters are
messengers OF the Infinite Power, and the time
will come when men shall see 1T. That the good
and wise must die and give the sacrifice freely is the
lesson taught by the death OF the Son OF Man.
Trace 1t IN the history OF material invention. The
story began when the first inventor laid his plans
before the world. Social degradation, poverty and
neglect attended MIN. Two hundred years ago. In
France, lady, noted for her great beauty and no
torious for her vices, was visiting a nadhouse.
While passing through square she heard
voice crying, II am not mad,N and turning saw
pale lace pressed against the bars. on
inquiring Tor what reason he placed there she
was told that he had been interested in material
invention, and thought he had discovered the
power OF steam. He wrote book and prepared
maps on the subject which he took to the Cardinal
man OF singular sagacity, but he would not look
at Them AS the inventor followed him he ordered
Consider how that man must have been agonized.
lie went down TO the grave with a conviction OF
the value of his discovery See the passion of that
wronged man. Inventors have trod the same paths
and been hanged ON the same cross. They
have been Supplemented and simpe-minded
men, vino trusted their fellows and who
received legacy OF sorrow and suffering
IN return. For the man who discovers a
new idea, new thought or a new principle the
Passion Week Is longer and sadder yet We and ali
the world are walking by the light OF the great dis
homet in Arabia, both prophets and relormers;
but for them the Passion Week was long and severe.
1oiling along with His cross on HIS shoulder we see
the Sonui Man. His sorrow could not have been
more intense than His brothers., He was wiieless,
childess and with few friends.
THE AGONY OF THE CROSS
was In its duration His agony was.a severe one,
and He was laid to His lie was inventor, sage,
reiormer, phanthropist, all in one. The ceremo-
sorrow and regret. The lights are extinguished
and there Is silence OF bells.