The New York herald., 1874-08-03
Rev. r. S. Macarthur and
Liberal Christians.
Services at the Reopening Of the
Brick Church.
DIR. Robinson and the Lowell.
mess OF Christ.
Yesterdays Services at the Sea Cliff
Camp Meeting.
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
Christ's Loneliness Applied by DIR.
Robinson.

LONELINESS as APpAicU Dy DTs
Robinson.
During Mr.. Beecher's summer vacation the
Orange street meeting house is undergoing the
process OF renovation Analogous TO that chaotic
condition into which our careful housewives throw
their homes at frequent intervals OF misery, It's
carpets are up, its seats uncushioned Carpen-
ters painters uphosterers and scrubbing women
hold It by their power to make IL untenable by all
else through uncomfortable measures by which
they propose at length TO make 1t the more enjoy
able. SO what is left OF the Plymouth nock-the
home guard, who satisfied with the salt breezes
OF the Heights and prefer their own homes to the
narrow quarters OF the summer boarding houses.
or the unfortunates whose daily duties do
not admit OF a vacation O prolonged
absence from accustomed labor-meet for wor-
ship in the large lecture room. Here yester-
Gay they came in numbers suflcient to COM
fortably fill It's benches ana some or the seats in
the adjacent parlors. Among the worshppers
were score or two OF the more prominent men,
bers OF the church; most OF the remainder being
rom the regular attendants only a very few
strange rs being present. No crowd thronged the
doors. standing patiently waiting for Seats as
when the magnetism Of the pastors eloquence at
tracts the multituoes. Those present appeared
deyout and attentive. DR.. Robinson OF Troy,
occupied the platform, and when he PRAYED with
teryent petitions that the beloved shepherd might
emerge quickly from the cloud Of chast tisement or
trial which now enveops him and be disclosed
again in Increased radiance and with redouoled
power for good, the whole congregation evidently
altered silent amen. Mr.. Camp was at his post
conducting the musical branch OF the services,
with the grand piano in place OF the organ. MISS
LaSar, too, the leading soprano singer was in
good voice so that the psalm singing in which all
Joined, though lacking the volume OF the thousand
voices which swell the chorus or the usual Plym-
Ouih service, was hearty and not lacking IN musical
cultivation.
DR.. Robinson chose for his text Matthew, XIV,
23-"And when the evening was come he was
Unite unity. 1t Is rounded to perfection. Natu-
ralists tell US nothing In nature is perfect. The |
hints OF the plan on which they were organized; !
The broken arc indicates the dimensions OF the (
are inarred with the traces OF imperfection. But
the life OF Christ was perfect. No one can read
Like the mlguonette. whose perfume peryades the
air rather than seems to reside in ITSELF His whole
IKE tells us story Of a lonely existence In the
away His disciples. He was there on the noun |
tain alone Hs w ne stars Alone yet the
%1en He sRSss n9 to ,ne the try
Of Of EliJah, aHe trod the Wine press aone.s
He walked alone as He went on His way to Jerusa-
lem to face DEATH alone In advance OF His disciples
Ia Getnsemane He stood alone. HIS disciples could
watch and weep no longer. Nature asserted itself
They fell asleep and He stood there alone con.
templatng His near sacrifice to save man. In the
Pratorium He was alone to endure the mockery OF
o trial. His chosen disciples had deserted and de-
MED Him. Gustave Dore pictures Him bearing the
alone, His followers the jeering rabble. His
disciples had fallen away ashamed or afraid. In
all His nature He was alone IN spotless perfection
q lamb without blemish. Satan in the temptation
found In Him naw. When the shining woman
was brought before Him, His purity snrunk IRON
penalty without justice. He stopped TO write ON
the ground and silently judged the whole accusing
crowd, who shrunk from His purity. His words
and thoughts and life always made him alone. lie
suffered to save, not His friends but the guilty.
Hts mother and brethren did not understand His
beyhood. How lovingly He laid HIS ands on those
he would bless. How He took John to be His be-
loved disciple. He was willing to be lifted up on
the cross to draw men 10 the higher liie
so. all men who think and who attempt to live
better lie will at many times find themselves
alone. The loneliness oil our Lord on earth must
meet our loneliness. / believe IN the communion
Oh the saints; but these are thoughts and feelings
which We cannot share with any but God. We are
alone with Him in the closet, alone with
Him in the crowded street, when we
exercise the prayernl spirit which needs no Ut
terancc. We are alone IN sorrOw-alone iG death.
The dying man hears voices we hear not; sees
beckonlng hands when we see nothing So it Will
be with US all. We must 60 into the valley alone
alonee No, IL need not be. We may have the
companlonship ana support OF the saviour, who
has trOd the dark road before He died that no
man might need 10 say, "My God, am iorsaKen."