The New York herald., 1873-12-22
OLD JOHN STREET CHURCH
A Christmas Sermon by the Rev. N.
Cheney.

A Christmas Sermon by the Rev. N. G..
Cheney.
The Old John street Methodist Episcopal church,
between Nassau and william streets, was exceed
ingly well attended yesterday morning. The
pastor, the Rev. N. G. Cheney, read. as ntroduo-
tory to the sermon, portions of the second chapter
OF Luke and the second chapter OF Matthew, and
then selected the tenth verse Of the latter
"wnen they saw the star, they rejoiced with ex-
ceeding great joy'-as the basis OF his remarks.
He said In substance, that the Lord made US to be
a happy people but there is more misery IN the
world than anything else. Happiness is so transit
tory that when it comes there is the fear that 1t
will soon fade away and plunge US in deeper gloom
and sorrow But good Goo has ordered that at
different times little sunshine shall drive out the
darkness a smile to chase away the tears; little
green spot to appear in lives. which to US is as
the oasis to the Bedoun OF the desert where we
SNUFF the balmiest Of air, and from which start
out In our wanderings along the sandy plain with
RENEWED HOPE AND CHEER.
There is such thing as happiness and such q
state is often reached when the fortunate man may
seem the unhappiest. 1t IS paradox that one can
be happy when all happiness is seemingly with
drawn from one. He may be sick or poor and
without friends, in an earthly sense, but with a
spiritual understanding Of what happiness Is, that
"
fined man, one who delights in the pure and beau
uiul, could spend his time in brothe!s and along
the wharyes ana think you mat lat ne whose na soul IS
because OF such refinement? And so, that VITA all
the cares all the labors and the death that arc our
share, there Is happiness. Mr. Cheney then d.
rected his discourse TO the season celebrating the
advent Of the Lord. Everybody, said he, feels bet
ter
All Is sweet and pleasant. Even the storm seems
beautiful, and the lakes strike your face with
custom Christmas forces a man to recognize that
there are others IN the world besides himself and
as the day is universally observed throughout the
univer5e--for there are Christians almost every-
where on earth-.t conduccs to happiness and con-
tentmcnt. 1t Is the time when children are made
be JOYFUL even II it were in the house Of God, rs
that JOY and that glee are OF as much vaue as the
prayer Of the saints Never abuse the lIttle ones
other. The people have got into the custom
shops and they seem like signs of immortality,
and then the store windows are gayly dressed aud
the sy ses on ts fSs
especially the joy of the children it makes all
han Jesus as the harbnger OF peace and hope.
In all this wo can SEQ the cect OF the atonement;
1t is Jesus everywhere, IN the green tWigs and
branches In the music, In the JOY OF the people;
told the children the story OF the star that guided
the wise men to the place where Jesus was, say
ing that the Father over all was in
THAT FLOOD OF song
heard by the shepherds. II tells US that there is
balm to all wounded souls in the darkest hours,
and that God IS near The pastor stu further
eucidated the story OF the nativity OF Christ in tho
most attractive manner to the younger portion of
the congrega ton, tracing the life OF Jesus from the
manger to His crucifixion, while occasionally this
story was nterspersed with fitting truths for the
older people TO remember and profit By. Behind
that little babe was the Maker or the universe the
Centre of the hope OF all humanity. This is the
time for presents. Beloved. will you give Jesus
Christmas PRESENT. Write your names in the
Book OF Life Let this Christmas be solemn, let 1t
be grave; let it be oyful let 1t be null OF laughter
and praise ana pleasure: and this done. IL will
indeed pe Il .'Glory TO God IN the highest, and on
earth peace, good Will toward men,"