The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-03
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The Personal Character OF Christia nifty
Discourse by the Rev. G.. H. Ball.

The Per sonal Character OF ChrIstia nifty
Discourse by the Rev. G. H. Ball.
AT the above-named church yesterday, after the
usual reading OF q portion of the Bible, the Rev.
g. II. Ball came forward and spoke substantially as
ioll0ws:-You have heard read aTemarkable state
mem made by Pilot when he introduced Christ to
the multitude-'Behold the man." Christianity
there appeared in its personal character and this
personality we shall consider Christianity Is
more personal than doctrinal. 1t has more to do
with the individual than with speculations or
theories. At one time we hear 1t said that the
seed of the woman shall crush the serpent's head
at another time that great prophet shall rise,
who shall rule the people Israel, and again that he
shall be called the Angel of the Great Council And
st. John the Baptist says that he Ia the voice OF
one CRYING in the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the way OF
the Lord" When Christ was TRANSPORTED on the
mountain the glory Of Him struck the beh0lders
with admiration, for, as Paul says.
THERE Is NO GLORY,
by reason of the glory that excelleth. His glory
Outshines all other glory, as the sun c0nceas the
stars. All this time His personality is the ALL
absorbing topic. When Christ said to Peter. ''On
this rock will build my Church." He evidently
meant that He should build it the confession or
creed just made by Peter; and If the Church had
always rigidly adhered to this simple creed, exact
messed half of the evils attendant on creed.
making, and founding new tenets, &c. We cannot
appreciate the greatness Of the mission Of the spirit
unless we keep Christ constantly in His personality
before our eyes. Just in proportion as we exalt
Christ and acknowledge Him as our Lord and
Master we realize the power and truth OF the
Him several results will follow First it viii have
wonderful power over our hearts and affections.
Nothing has SO much power over our minds as faith
in person. In this way God mOuldS and trans
forms us by putting Christ before our eyes. Great
pains are taken to present Him before us.
FOUR GREAT ARTISTS,
the evangelists, have given us beautiful, concise
pictures OF the man Jesus Christ. In those we be-
hold Christ with halo of glory. as friend a
sympathiZer and as our High Priest. Artists have
studied works OF ancient art to such q degree that
they ultimately carried in their minds the exact
the study OF those paintings Of Christ Christ must
al the picture; He must be the Alpha and Omega;
world to recognize Him we shall 1' get them to be
filed with enthusiasm, to be honest and virtuous.
Another result of this exaltation of Christ will be
the union and harmony OF all the people OF Christ.
We are mortified to-day on behOlding such
DISSENSIONS AND DIVISIONS
among those who profess faith In Christ. One
man comes along and in order to carry out his par
tlcular ideas of things must found new sect. An
other takes a stand on the supremacy OF the human
will. Others become the slaves Of speculatiOns.
The Pope OF Rome is not the only infable person
among US. have often heard 1t said that the
young men of the Church are so many pOpes, Will
this perpetual construction OF systems and found
ing OF new sects tend to harmony? No. We must
This done we may speculate as we will. We want
the keynote OF harmony sounded among us and
that keynote Is Christ. When His voice
shall sOnnd forth then shall the flats and
the sharps and the discordant voice ofsectarianism
chime in and unite in singing His praises. One
other result Of the enthusiasm for the person Of
Christ will be wonderful increase OF the Church
in members and in deeds of generosity. 1t belongs
to Christ to rule over every heart and every land
and when enthusiasm for this TACT is once excited
people will have an enthusiasm for humanity.
Many men are enthusiastic for the cause OF Meth
higher enthusiasm will 1t be when men perform
such works Tor Chrst-nOt for particular sect.
With the accomplishment of this men will enjoy
far comfort in times OF alictiOn and tribula-
tion and they will achieve brilliant triumphs
In