National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-07-28
THRTEENTu.sT BAPTIST CHURCH

Sermon by the Rev. J. II. Cuthbert.
Yesterday at II a. IN. large congregation as
sembled In the pleasant audience room Of this
church to hear their esteemed pastor, j. II.
Cuthbert, who has been in charge of the station
for about four years, having come from Au-
gusta, Ca, to accept this call
The speaker was listened TO with marked in
terest while he preached from first Peter ii:2l:
"Leaying US an example that we should follow
his steps,"
In considering the subject, DR.. Cuthbert no.
ticed, irst, the great example which Is set be-
fore US In the llfe.of Jesus, in whom we see al
the perfectiens Of a holy life. In Him we see
faith In the living God and trust In the Father,
even unto the bitter end. Humility Is q promi-
nent feature In the character OF Christ, aud ever
constitutes luminous fOotstep which leads In
the right way. Not only IL Christ an example OF
faith, trust and humility, but also of superiority
to every thing worldly. The multitude would
have placed Him to accept an earthly throne,
and thus made His glory carna, but His supc-
rior power enabled Him TO resist the temptation.
But above all these Is the calm spirit OF patient
endurance, which, when reyiled, "teyile not
again." when IL suffered, threatened not, but
enabled Him 10 commit Himself TO Him who
JudReth righteously, and TO bear all for lr good
with an accomplishing spirit, praying FEATHER,
forgive them" His genuineness OF character
was apparent to all.
The speaker next inquired how far this exam
pie Ia susceptible OF imitation on our part 7
Although perfect copy OF his character In this
world Is out OF the question, yet We can strive
towards the great STANDARD. For the best exam
pies have been tho confessions OF those who,
having striyen, have fallen short OF this high
marx, and, like the great Andrew Fuller, are
conscious Of their inability but still devote thelI
every power to his service. For until every tie
that binds us to this world Is broken, we can
never fully attain to this standard; and while al
assumptiOnsof perfection are mere pretentlons
at hest, yet this example Is left US In order that
we should follow 1t. la his Gospel Christ gives
us the precepts OF perfect life, and In his own
HE we see these precepts exempliaed, and the
Spirit Of God Is given US TO enable US To make our
lives like unto his, because OF ourselves we can
not effect this change.
Now the reflected image OF Jesus in our lives
Is marred by sin; but IN the morning Of the
resurrection we snail be like him, "for we shi
see him as he Is, for In the hour OF death thai
loving hand will wipe out every imperfection
and then every feature OF that glorious Image
will he truly reflected In US; and though We FOL.
low his steps feebly and falteringly now, then
we shall follow his bright example with steady
and unwavering tread.
The preacher, in the next place, called the at.
tentiOn OF his hearers to the fact that such re-
ligion Is what we need In all OF our churches at
the present day-a religion that reflects more
perfectly the spirit OF the Great Exemplar. This
Is not only what the Church needs, bat It Is the
great need OF the world. 1t was the great erroI
Of the Church OF Rome to attach too much I'M
portance 10 works; but the error OF the Protestant
churches OF the nineteenth century Is that they
overlook the value OF works, and enter upon TIT
other extreme.
As Terlullian says, tho exhibition OF the true
spirit OF Christ was 50 uncommon Ia the days OF
this nrst Christians that, the mUttudes seeing
Il, wondered, and wondering, inquired, and IN
quirng, saw the truth and embraced IL. Even
the Centurlan who was present at the execution
Of the Lord saw the light shining through his ex.
ample; and II We follow it-iinperfectly now,
perfectly In the future-then Will We see many
others following those limited footprints which
lead directly TO the gate OF heaven.