The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-23
CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH.

sGre atness OF Washington--TheA Aver
age COngressman Of To-day and the
Accountable Selfishness and Greed of
Conspicuous NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. by
the Rev. Henry Powers.
The Rev. Henry Powers, pastor Of the Church Of
the Messiah, Park avenue and Thirty -Ionrth street.
selected, the subject OF mis- discourse yesterday
morning, THE Greatness OF Washington" theme
appropriate to the day and occasion, the text be-
ing, Hebrews, lii, 5-"FaithmI In all his house.
Mr.. Powers commenced in quoting q late writer,
who said, that 1.-THE names and memories Of grea.
men are the dowry OF nation. Wdowhood, over
throw, desertion, even slavery. cannot take away
from her this sacred Inheritance. Whenever
national life begins to quicken the dead
heroes rise In the memories OF men and appear
70 the living to stand by in solemn spectator
ship and approval. No country can be lost
which feels herself overlooked by such glorious
witnesses. They the salt OF the earth in death
~ well as life. What they did once their descend
ants have still and always right to do after Them
and their example lives In their country, a con-
hnua stimulant and encouragement for him VITO
has the soul to adopt It," The pastor also re-
ierred to another writer who held that in the
production OF washington 1t really appears if
nature was endeavoring to improve upon hersen;n
anu nke the lovely masterpiece OF the German
ARTIST to exhibit In one glow OF associated beauty
tne pr1de Of every model and the perfection OF
But 1t has sometimes been doubted whether
washington was thus truly and completely great,
And here what Carlyle and others say about HIM
WAS instanced-though he did not shine ike Alex
hDder Cesar or Napoleon, Washington was a
Eood man, but was not great. There Is
m element OF trutbfuness in such remarks as these
continued the preacher; for really Washington was
not distinguished IN the preponderance of any one
ke performed. He had no special deIicacy Of
quality in any respect or Hneness OF organization
Oi all that is called genius in the proper and re-
wAsHINGToN WAS REALLY GREAT.
First, In the bulk and compactness OF his pract
ea powers, the sodity, the strength, and the per.
feet poise OF those faculties which we do usually
associate with genius but which, nevertheless are
the spiritual substratum OF every nature that is
really eflcent and RELIABLE for the systematic and
complete performance Of the work it is called TO do
the great understanding 81 Washington; his good
Judgment and great talent OF administration; and
reference was made TO Patrick Henry's estimate OF
him when returning from the first Continental
Congress; ana Washington was great INTEL
lectuay, in the mass, the gravity and the majesty
with which 10y nature the strong qualities OF our
common humanity aggregated and displayed In
him. The excelency and chief distinction Of
Wasnngton's greatness was, however, in the Sec
ono place mora. In all the relations Of lie, as
citizen and soldier and statesman as private man
Aho Cnrstlan ne lett behind MIN, az a priceless In
heritance to his countrymen the example of a
stainless NE; the inspiration and the JOY OF q
great, honest, pure and noble character With
The largeness OF his being washington could not
long nave played subordinate or trivial part in
practical NE, but he might have made, had he
chosen TO do So his energy and power OF influence
70 minister In startling ways to his own
aggrandzemept and at the expense of
The general welLbeing. But what was the factY
Though possessed OF the strongest passions he vet
subjected them all to the most rigid rule Inc
lower names OF his being beat in vain against the
IainDarts OF his iron will. Seltcontrol was his
GROWING virtue There nave been many men
nouotless who nave possessed the power OF
sinotbeIing their naming passions in an emergency
AZ tne olclste OF selfish regard; but IN Washing
atty 10
AN IDEA or RIGHT,
90 q conception OF personal devotion unto others
and ali the powers OF hs majestic nature and the
resources OF his lofty position were snhord,nated
and welded IN harmony Herewith. From the he.
ginning Vi mas Responsible existence unto the day