The New York herald., 1874-08-24

lnRy, patneticajy oeSutiful, said the rev.
erend gentleman in opening his discourse. And
In the whole range OF sacred literature there
are no sweeter or more precious utterances than
are TO be found IN this parable and chapter from
which my text is taken. While therefore the
discourse Is pivoted on the read prefer 10
amplily them as 10 comprehend the spirit OF the
entire chapter, and which may be paraphrased
tnus:-I am the Good Shepnerd: the Good
Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep; the sheep
hear the voice OF the Good Shepherd; He calleth
His own sheep by name; am the Good Shepherd
and know my sheep and am known of mine
Jesus has the unquesuoned right to the title Good
shepherd by buying it with the price OF His
blood In laying down His life for the sheep. Not
only is He our Shepherd. our guide, director and
protector; He Is also our lamb that taketh away
the SINS Of the world, and Is likewise sheep
fold and the door leading thereto. To be called
King would have been a more exalted title; yet
the name Shepherd implies as much, for He Is not
only a snepherd-king, but Aingly shepherd He
Is in fact the Good Shepherd-the only good
shepherd. Who can speak worthily of Him or His
attrlbutes-of the Lamb who redeemed us from
abysses and corruption and wilderness OF iniquty?
TO tell the story OF HIS love for His sheep would
be to rehearse the story of Mary, out OF whom He
cast seven devils; oil Peter, who denied Him and
was aiterward heartbroken; OF SAM, who once
breathing threatenings and slaughters, was trans
formed into Paul, whose impassioned enthusiasm
found bent in the prayer-"God Ioroid
that should glory in the cross OF Christi The
text naturally suggests three separate considera-
tons-the calling the guarding and the gathering
said that ii will be consummatad on the other side
OF the dark river. The phrase He calls his sheep"
is aptly illustrated by the word vocation. Those
that understand His cali follow in His footsteps in
the same way that man pursues his occupation
or pursuit IN material sense, to earn his bread.
IL was not merely occupation, but vocationor that
Tor which there Is in him bias and Inclination
So TO speak, God-glven motive Tor energy.
Is not in his VOCATION and work to him is lrksome.
a a man man Is a painter because the eye
sings like a bird. The sculptor Is impeied to
cnlsel forms in marble-forms that shall live.
true m mechanic Is born not made; rnis illustrates
on earth, so that 1t may prove the best training
for the heavenly. As earthly parents scrutinlze
the earthly gifts of their children to enable them
TO discover what pursuit they are the best adapted
for, SO JESUS calls His sheep by name, and SO dis
crimnates, by what is in them, how they snail
best serve Him. ''He calls them by name, A
name Is the distinguishing characteristic of a
There is great deal in a name The Bible is
supremely the book-the book or books. Often in
the Bible the name indicates to Its owner the SER
Sev,n yee he was to to simon b he called Peter
ultimately build His Church. James ard
John were 'Sons of Thunder meaning
thereby that they possessed the spirit OF fire to
dlspel opposing forces. And as Illustrating the
power that is sometimes crystallized in name,
between the friends OF the late Abraham Lincoln
and Mr.: Seward as to which OF these distinguished
|
nict." Yet what is there In the two wordsa Much
whole concentrated history They will forever
tell IN two words the history OF one hundred years
OF struggling between two connlcting forms OF gov
ernment. AZ applied to ourselves, we may not be
called to work miracles; but we are called to make
our own calling. vocation and election sure, and
we can best do this by helping others. As mere
piece OF machinery the locomotive would be more
annoying than Ornamental-Screamlng and pun.
ing through the land; but when you at
tach train OF cars to 1t 1t becomes OF
univeI sal human interest. Every Christian then
who loves Christ is like locomotive; he tries to
take train OF cars behind him TO heaven. He
tells others or the dear saviour he has found, and
invites the weak and the doubling to come with
him and share in his happiness. Have you tender
one. There are plenty such around you. Have
you the gilt OF consolation? Exercise It, God loves
His saints, and does not act on the principle of
killing the sinner, but the SIN mans virtues
often become his vices and rice cers0. Gifts and
sins often thrive close together. 1t is an old and
PRAYER the devil builds chapel; and another say
ing has 1t, that sweetest wine makes sweetest
vinegar" We all need the shepherds guard and
guidance, for we are surrounded bv enemies and evil
influences. He teaches us to be lowly and long.
suffering to guard tongue ana temper, to follow
His glorious footsteps. 1t is the humble living
temples OF Christ IN the sweetness of Christian
purity that Will save New York. Gorgeous edifices
and towering steeples will not do il. 1t Is Gods
saints that out of the garden OF God with the
world. Let not, therefore, spiritual codness assail
you. While the sheep are marching on with the
shepherd, oh. lamb, stay not thou behind. The
darkness Is coming on and there are tDnumerabe
pitfalls around thee The Divine Master Is here TO
carry the weak and erring ones In His arms. After
the sermon the dOxology was sung with the fervor
OF awakened zeaI; and, with the benedct1On, the
service terminated.