The New York herald., 1874-09-28
TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH.
Satan and tho Saviour, as Understood
by DIR. Patton.

Satan and tho Saviour, as Understood
by DIR. Patton.
large and respectable congregation assembled
yesterday at the morning services at this church.
The Rev. A. S. Patton. u. D., preached an effective
discourse on "How Christ Was Tempted, and
Whyn Selecting for his text Matthew, iv., i
"Tnen was Jesus led up Of the spirit into
the wilderness to be tempted OF the devil" ne
said. Many regard this portion OF Gospel his
tory as myth. Instead OF looking upon the mar
ration as the story OF circumstances that occurred,
they speak Of 1t as descriptive scene-in TACT,
species OF dramatic representation. These people
hold that Christ was never tempted, ana that this
relation must De read in the light OF parable in
which
JESUS WAS MADE THE HERO.
This view, however, leads to innumerable DIM
culties and CONTRADICTIONS, while the acceptance
OF the Gospel narrative, interpreted according to
the principles Of common sense Is a source of i'm
mense comfort to believers and consonant with
the best principles OF reason. On the face OF 1t 1t
was evident that this was q truthful record OF q
spiritual transaction. Any other view must ignore
or destroy the most interesting facts OF the New
Testament. Men, OF course, were not Obliged to
believe that Satan TOOK Jesus actually to the top
of mountain. Indeed, TO show him actually all
the Kingdoms OF the earth and all the
glory OIL them was geographical impos
SlDluCy. Inere was no mOuutdlu JlaC WOuu aHOTu
any such view. The last OF lorty days and forty
nights could also be regarded as partial one, as
the lines will bear the Interpretation. That in-
ward suggestions OF the character described were
brought powerfully before the mind OF Jesus while
be prosecuted his great redemptive mission there
can be no doust whatever. The history oil Chrlst,s
temptation must, therefore, have q spiritual inter-
probation. Every thing in IT harmon zes with hui
man experience with 6guratve forms and out
ward facts. The pictorial representation de.
veloped by Satanic influence upon the mind of
Jesus must nave been very striking, as the
tempter knew
THE KIND OF GAME HE WAS PLAYING.
How Satan approached Jesus when he wanted
to tempt Him is question full Of interest His per-
sonahty, power ana methods have been, unlOr-
tunately, much exaggerated. In old books and
legends Satan Is represented in all the hideous
forms OF ugness They provide him With cloven
foot ana long TAIL But little thoughtful con
soerattOn Will show how erroneous are THESE Illus
poor weak human nature lies In the seductive
iorms under winch he appears. He never ap-
prOaCheS mortalS except to entice and allure
them. and the poets have done anything but
lions OF Jesus were representative OF
three great classes. Satan knew that
the master vas hungry and he said, command
that these stones De made bread" This was the
could starve; but he could do nothing to indicate
mlstrust IN His Father. The simple, childiIke
loving faith OF Christ was more than q matcn ior
all the evil and craft OF the arch tempter. Ambi-
tion was the next stumbling block. 'Cast thvsef
down" was simply an invitation TO commit suicide
in order to obtain the accsmatlons of the people.
But doubtful and desperate strokes OF policy OF
that kind had no place In the actions OF Jesus.
The preacher then alluded to
THE SPURIOUS MIRACLES AND LYING WONDERS
sermon by iervent prayer Tor aid to all present
when suffering from temptation.