New-York tribune., 1874-11-09
TIE VALUE OF EXAMPLES.
IT., P,g Dr. Chapmen 9. s. Panss (JL 81 Church

The Rev. DIR. Chapman predcci Ill ot'
Paus Methodist Episcopal Church. at FOurtE-aye ana
Twenty-second-st., Yesterday morniuG The text was
Matthew ". IA: "Yo the light OF the word"
There was au exquisite beauty said the preacher, In
Savi0rs appeal TO Ills disciples 10 lI!s meIoriDe
Sermon on the Mount, when he said, pointing out tho
TO them. Ye are the light OF the world and then
added, Lot your light shine before men that they
may your good works and gorfy your Father which
Is in heaven" Here 1t Will be observed that CHRISTIANS
are represented as beiag luminous and shining
rather from what they than from what they
say or do; perhaps better, that their words
and acts and lives are radiant because they
themselves luminous. IL Is not IKE the neht re-
ected from the Opaque bosom Of plant but rather ke
the light shed by world all agoW, aud hen shIbes pc
morning call your attention TO two or three elements
of IN Christian example, ana tae nrst is ~ no
fact that II Is the most successful meshoa oI
important, presented In an abstract for0 ao'e 70 bu
erOus explanations, and requiring no snla desree oi
preston that same precept embodied IN Ic reuueen
TO practice aud hence have avaiied themselves Of
TINS law OF our nature the whole process OF educaOn
From the very lowest rudineut or knowledge 10 the
Infancy t. 1d ago this s found be the most 6ucceSs-
fl method OF impartlng instruction. We nave in me
text books OF mathematics, for instance not ony the
principles LAID down. but the principles reduced 20 pr!e
ce and Il * from ad nese m n ae nt %s nG
This gaining definite IDEAS OF things and piaees
travel The same in the practical education Of
children. The mother does lot merely tell her dauSer
a
and histories aud biographies ana narratives are
nIr W W cidre0 It not mere skeleton is pre-
cept reduced practice, showing s power ahd its pc
collection but fragrant living flower open 10 The in-
ygorating influences OF daily sans ana hlshtN ds~s;
Illustrations The successful preachers are oSe
vino most graphic and felse In their desci'ols.
Point ont the truth exhibited IN the lie Of some as
linguished cxempar. How cOui you show alth better
tuau by pointing it out as exhibited in ADTahanf Ho"
,f,Tn aim M
in1 it out In the history or Job How she
bare mention OF his name seems TO tOueh spE I'd our
memories and whole career 20 stand before US
with yuidness that Is lifeke! aud we see patience
Chrisan tGo s nyerv festre Tne most
effective sermons Will be weak beside bumDie walk
Now the Church has these living exempars OF her
faith all through the community and how useful ihey
might be II they would let their light shine Drghuy
VIII not read the Bible; all men VIII not read RELIGIOUS
effective and If go into tine world. they mus feel
Influence We hying sermons. beginning with
eUnx Wh aea ending
and deepening till they shall STIR tic protondes depths
In this way exert for God and humanity Sermons are
often irksOme and dreary as listened TO ana hard 10
remember; but the language OF life and ac-
tiUn is universal and instructive The living eplsts
needs transatioa-no comnentary-to he UNDERSTOOD
everywhere on tho lace OF the globe noD!e deeu n
the service OF God and humanity speaks nteiigeny 10
speaks the common heart the world over. would
say parents while you Instruct your children III ths
knowledge or Coo great lOVt DC
exempliiying It's benign influence IN your lives. Lei
them with what protoundest reverence you speak
His name, and this shall be living, breathing OBJECT
without which all your INSTRUCTION VIII be 10 no purpose.
Another element OF power IN Christian example Is
that 1t disarms ObiectOrs. Now there are none
more powerful and yet more ba eless than those
objections that spring out OF the uniaithfuness
of professors. Tue most formidable obstruc.
ton to the spread OF Religion Is the
objection that springs out Of the discrepancy
between lives and tue confessions OF the disciples OF
the Master We would attract them 10 Christ. out they
Judge OF His religion by His disciples We would carry
their hearts and storm their minds by reading the nis-
OF Christianity and yet our arguments ill nafn-
lessly their feet before the related act Of
faithful One Not merely by preaching religion, nor by
singing religion nor by praying religion, nor By shout
ing religion but by acting religion, We hope to Keep
them.
Another element OF power in Christian example is
demonstrates truth or religion. We
this theory Is settled But the question s remains.
how shall most successfully remove existing
douDts Shall do II by pointing them 10 the mira
Giles that have been wroughif BY The wonders oi the
resurrection BY the fact that within few centuries
the truth has spread from the Jordan 10 the Thames,
and to-day spoken In more than 200 languages % our
race You may think these are overwhelming. but
they not most invncibe proofs. Oar o"nlng
and Irresistible and unansweTaJle argument Is
Christian acts. Christianity is prophecy in
that shall unfold forever in the kingdom of God.
Brethren, is walk with God mpossibei There Is
only way settle IL. I is by showing thar IL not
only ought 10 be- but can be. On tor lie TO slime
brightly and sweetly IN every hOue. Oa for piae-
tical demonstration OF the power and bessedness IN
and eternity. You, disciples OF Jesus 30 some
thing bring the day when the world shall De washed
In Jesus blood and saved by the power Of His grace