The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-24
CHURCH OF THE DIVINE PATERNITY.

The Three Voices of the Gospel, Convic-
ton, encouragement and Com passion
God i'm the ConstitutiOn-vVashin z toms
Virtues the Secret OF His Greatness
Sermon by the Rev. DIR. Chaplin.
The Rev. DR.. Chapin's church, Forty fifth street
and Fifth avenue was atter'led as usual yesterday
morning by a large, intelligent and very much
attentive congregation. The morning was not
severely cold, being softened somewhat by faint
but pleasant sunshine, which seemed to make
everybody lively and cheerful and gave the ladies a
slight opportunity OF displaying reasonable show
Of fancy toilets.
THE REV. DR. CuAPIN's DISCOURSE
was rather-in the style Of a brilliant essay or CON-
ment on the Gospel text In It's various applications
than soul-stirring sermon of religious merit and
authoritative instruction, nevertheless possessing
many beautiful and pious suggestions. which must
necessarily have had q telling effect upon the
minds OF his congregation
The Rev. Doctor chose his text from St. Mark X
81 and 52-"And Jesus answered and said unto
him, What wilt thou that should do unto thee9'
The blindman said unto him, Lord, that might
receive my sight9' And Jesus said unto him, Go
thy way; thy faith hath made thee WHOLE and
Immediately he received his sight, and followed
Jesus in the way"
The preacher here introduced his discourse by
explaining the parable OF which his text was
part. Jesus, he said, was on his way to Jericho
with his disciples and great number OF people,
among whom was one blind beggar, Bartmeus,
who, upon hearing that II was Jesus OF Nazareth,
began to cry out "Jesus thou Son OF David have
mercy on me ~ and although the people charged
HIM to hold his peace he still cried out, Thou Son
OF David, have mercy on me in and casting away
his garment rose and came to Jesus. who, hear
ing his cry, cured him.
There were many opinions, he said, upon the
direct application Of the text. He would only re-
iterate the denial that diversity Of opinion rather
weakens than strengthens its force. Under every
manner Of consideration it impresscs the soul with
reality. When we read we Immediately discover
In 1t tokens Of authenticity and attribute its truth
fulness At least to that source OF reliability upon
which all HISTORIC truth is iounded-authority and
the agreement Of universal opinion. In it there
were
THREE STRIKING POINTS,
namely, the conduct of the multitude, the action
OF Bartimeus, and the work OF Jesus.
Tended because the poor bhnd beggar, Bartmeus,
interrupted the procession and attracted His at
tenton from Its midst. The people, doubt,
thought they were honOring Jesus by charging the
leper to hold his peace; but theirs was talse
honor which sprung rom selflshness ard wiliul
truly hOnOred by the blind man, who In the firm
conviction OF his heart cried out, 'Jesus, son of
ing out, 'Thou son OF David, have mercy Oh me in
That was false henering which tended to remove
that poor struggling soul, cropping In the dark
ton, from the love and compassion OF the
Son OF God. SO, also, is the honoring Of
garment OF respectabiity and dare TO exclude from
the portals Of Gsd's temples the poor OF Jesus
go down to the ears OF the lowest grade as wen as
to the most arstocratic, and the religion OF Jesus
Is that which shelters and instructs the poor OF His
household. Why should there be religious limits In
the Christian community while there is one poor
beggar to cry out Jesus, son Of David, have mercy
to gather the poor as well as the rich into the fold
Jesus honered more the expression OF faith and
conviction coming from the beggars lips than the
regard OF the multitude, and he alone out OF the
whole crowd came into spiritual contact with Him.
The preacher here referred to tie desire Of certain
religious sects 10 introduce
THE NAME OF GOD INTO THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE UNITED STATES
He was opposed to 1t from the beginning as o
needless project. What good to put Gods name on
paper II HIS spirit were absent from the hearts OF
Stae 1 hs desgn Is 20 Gnurcn ana
tics the country will narrow down to the innuence
OF sectarlanism and tract societies. Resuming his
principles OF the multitude when Bartimeus, after
being recognized by Jesus became the object OF
their sympathy afterwards, and they cried out to
him, "Be OF good cheers Here was a sudden CLEAN
OF human nature. Evidences of success attract
tha 70 Sur a ana d ane sympathy Of the hearts
sunshine. But sympathy Is most valuable in me-
cessty Rehgion then has the power OF consoa-
ton and inspiration The lesson which the action
Of the multitude teaches was that of seIfishness
nrst-encouragemen after.
THE ACTION OF BARrIMECs
proceeded from pure conviction. He knew Jesus
OF Nazareth could restore his sight. Here was q
chance to cry out to HIM from the depth OF his
heart. II was also the action OF need--the need OF
Deggar shrouded In perpetual darkness, with sad
and helpless prospect before him. His prayer was
short, but 1t was heard-'Jesus, Son OF David
have mercy on me-" The most real PRAYERS are
short, piercing as arrows, yelling up from the
heart, and penetrating even to the throne OF God.
He cried out INCREASINGLY. lie cared not for popu-
lar sentiment He followed his convictions. SO
ought oil religious mot self-willed) men. The
world has been moved by such men acting from
conviction In the calmness and intensity OF their
feeling
TIE MAN WE HoNoREp YESTERDAY
was grand representative Of those moral heroes
His greatness can be attributed not to the thunder
charge upon the battle field, not to his skilful COM
manding nor plausible contrivances, but to his
ealmness, hts persistent integrity, his great con-