New-York tribune., 1874-02-23
THE GLORIEs OF EXISTENCE.


The Rev. w. X. Alger of Boston filed the
pulpit OF the Rev o. r. rockingham. at the meeting OF
the independent Church. IN Lyric Hall Yesterday After
the short devotional exercises, Mr. Ager began MS ad
address, with description of those persons who are oeh
found in the world. with melancholy moods OF
mind heavy in heart and disappointed who dwei upon
their trials real imaginary, aud whose burdens HI
should TO 1t should not be asserted ne sSd
that the trials and OF humanity are imaginary
small The picture Of life has dark side sometimes
hung in sable fringed with tears. but 1t also mas
bright side It is filed with humor and joy fringed
with beauty and river OF divine pleasures no"s o'er
it, III we can the soul OF the despOhdeht mau W
recognize the besseduess Of his birth rights malignant
darkness will retreat before the shining OF te Sun
Let then unfold TO ourselves the goros Goa mas So'
IN the land of the living. and see the lights OF gran
deur and deptbs of 10y that are crownDg mans
days with ennoblng satisfaction. The first glory con-
sists in its personal consciousness and activity Man
set at an immeasurabe hight above the clouus anu o
by virtue OF his ability to know himself snd tue mu''
arous activities OF the inward being The power W to
member TO think, to feel TO dream to move ana W oe
self-conscous-he exercise of these prerogatves Is
fountain OF independent pleasure. No one In the pos
session OF his reason can fail to that there Is glory
sufficient TO compensate hardsbps than VIII 10
likely TO fall to his share. To desire, then never 10
have would prove 10 DO some diseased conuon VI
our faculties The goodness of life on the whoe' tue
value OF our existence is hnted In the shuude
OF horror which fills the soul when we disbeleve In the
immortal state There is also exatng Satisfaction
in the chosen exercises of faculties Think OF the
internal dreams OF rising imagination as mess po"i'
sitting their throne in the stu DOMAIN OF ne u.nu ~,
wave their wands and nnumerabe vassals swarm 10 DO
their bidding. AS imagine what we VIII DO many
a rapture rushes through our bran we arc n e tteu @
with visions OF loneliness ana scenes OF SuDly sui, SUI
passing showing that our stranges
and richest world IS IN our breast 10 nan OF cum IT,
guilt the Consciousness OF existence WIN th
freedom OF the world OF intelligence, enough ponp
perpetual thanksgiving even II MS abode Is duhseon
The second glory consists IN Us senses anu Scenviy
We might have been made without external senses ou
by Divine will We are connected with the intaoo
system OF external objects We are IN ourselves lSs
nIcant yet the open channels OF c0inunicaoh
between spirits and the surrounding universe. we
have all the Crandes scenery OF nature as setng ~"
the great deeds of men. and TO serve as symbols OF our
thoughts and feelings Touch and smell ell ana @ TASTE
in the sphere OF sound the eHqulse uehghtso ol
music The eye reads world OF life IN drop and aeai
guides us to thTOngs of worlds crowded through tno
blue abyss The goblet of crystal refreshments Il az our
lips. The fruits OF hundred cmes cover our board
The ocean IN storm or calm Dirds beasts snells
all objects OF all nature have for the huInbest man VINO
has taste for it glory far beyond tue trnmpnS o'
prived OF the power OF hearing, touchng seeing, anu
walking, should be shut up IN an absolute solitude
with these powers how regal Is our estate III ts
gorgeous world of ours
TIC third glory OF human life consists in its affections
and society We are set in moving host OF sympathy
moving around us with wants and JOYS ike ours our
hearts shrveled aud frozen center5 OF emo
ton What privilege is that we human beings are
capable Of loving each other, OF identifying ourselves
each
In foremost element that originates from
these feelings is the toll for the good OF others; the
sweet charities OF woman wipng away :ho toars OF
mourners and bending the destitute and SICK with
comfort and smoothing the pillow OF tho dying Oucast
who had not thought to be approached by human KIND
ness again. These adOrn life with spend0r rejected
from the Divinity. Life also, to the thoughtful indn de
ryes desirabeness from the fact that he ~ part or
humanity. There is an overwhelming subimly 10 the
thought OF the congregated bulk OF humanity forcngs
way through the mountains of fate and marching to-
ward eternity with a steady tread.
The fourth glory OF human life consists in Its freedom
and The experience OF the soul IL not me-
chanical monOtonOus. Man IL in respects pod-
ding machine, but selfdirecting power. and therein
attans the highest dignity of any being. AS free per
sOna1 powers are III rank essentially equal
10 any being below God. The emotions OF pity or OF
PRAYER of OF of fancy never lose
their charm Another result from freedom is that
we are not stationary beings. but can make constant
progress The fifth and last glory Is its faith and reia
lions BY souls connected with the spiritual
universe through faith. Spirituality, the power and
ecope OF religion, the crowning prerogatve OF man
I'm our relations related all below kings,
10 fine creatures younger brothers. and To
God as his favored children. With ali these glOries OF
life our state is grander than the pomp OF monarchy
happier the songs or birds, and man should turn
his whole life into thanksgiving TO the God VINO SET nm
In such glory the land Of his living, endless history
behind his back Immortality before his eyes. Such -
the glory OF human life. Let us all try 40 truly to eNpe
rience them that we shall he ashamed 10 complain.