The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-18
Philosophical Theology from Plymouth
Thoughts for TrOublOus Times.
DR.. CHAPLIN ILLUSTRATES TRUE GREATNESS
Power Of the Holy Name Of Jesus--The
Conditions of Mental Peace.
MR. TALMAGE ATTACKS SOCIAL SINS.
Unity of the Church-Beauty and Harmony of
Soul Development
CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.

CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.
Mr.. HEPwoRrH ON PRAYER-Irs POWER AND
EFFICACY.
The cold weather OF yesterday hau no per- |
ceptible effect upon the congregation which habit
ualy gathers at the Church or the Disciples. on
Madison avenue, and the large and peculiarly con-
structed audience room was entirely oiled. After
the usual religious exercises the pastor an
nounced his subject as
'srHE MYSTERIES OF PRAYER"
taxing as his text the words which suggested the
topic, from the ninth chapter OF Luxe and the
twenty ninth verse-"And ne prayed the
fashion OF his ountenarce was altered" He
said, have often wondered what Christ saw or
with whom or what lie communed that so strange
an effect was produced. Could He see beyond the
confines OF timer Did He catch glimpse Of that
celestial city OF which He was and was to
be the hight? Did He see the Father
whose Son He was Did He hear the voices OF the
angels and catch the strains OF that exquisite
music OF which the atmosphere OF the hereafter is
said to be full Evidently II was something
strange and beautifu- something Of which 1t Is
impossible for to form cOnceptlon-which
caused Hls cOuntenance TO change. In following
the career OF Christ we ind that He openly con.
fesses a constant dependence q superior and
exterior power. He Is the least independent
character in history; the most ch1ldlixe and re-
ceptive OF influence from above. In His superior
moments. when He towers giant denouncing
the sins OF the world, 1t Is hardly Christ. but God
through Christ He would have hardly dared un
dertake HIS task save that He drew power from
sources unseen, and listened to voices
man depending on himself shall be de.
based. while those who recognize their constant
dependence shall nnd themselves exalted. He IN.
a a
easy 10 comprehend, but Illustrated in His daily
lie ana action: TO make It more emphatic Tie
name that shall be given you'-a precious herl-
tage; heirs OF marvellous domain OF power un-
explored. He lett the promises, which we can
FAR comprehend as TO realize that they Involve ON.
nipotent power We are bound to act upon these
promises as do persons n business upon promis-
sorry note, Die IN the future and Endorsed by
name beyond all doubt And yet confess to some
is so strange. 80 little understood, so little prac
tised. 1t Is like something placed alar or to be
teemed a marvellous privilege, causing us to feel
Ike n ns High Priest s WSo entered the Holy
to the Almighty. with curtains drawn
and atone with Jehovah. Prayer lies at
whicn the spiritual life swings; the centre OF all
greatness and goodness No man can attain the
God. Prayer is IKE incense rising rom the heart
to heaven, while its absence leaves an altar with
SIs ma wn sne
Some OF you may ask, Is not prayer
A PHILOS0pHIC MYSTERY
answer, Yes. Can you explain itf No. You say
those things which can understand those will
believe and practise; but where is your authority
Tor my allegiance to what IL beyond my compre-
hensiOnf Science Is great thing. 1t is the twin
brother OF religion. But as IS often the case with
twins, while one Is pale and sckly the other IL
strong and vigorous. Religion seems TO me the
srs.wart child, with attitude proud and noble;
while the other ID its humpbacKed distort q
brother. What Is science and what has II
accomplished WHAT II knows IS great; what 1t
does not know is infinitely greater. Science.
u
creeping along the nave OF great cathedral; he
sees with wonder the beautifully painted windows
and the lofty columns but it cannot comprehend
the building; only God, the Builder and Architect
can 40 tnat: science IS tnat cnnd creeping toward
the expanse; 1t knows not how nor what Prayer
Is a mystery. Let us regard it by analogy. Take
Can on explain it : No. what is itY There is
outer husk and within little atom OF proto.
plesm. II l am Ignorant cannot tell what Will
come Of ir. II you tell me that. cast into the
ground. an entire crop will come Oft, laugh and
ABSURD p on the face 81 it. How can the green and
beautiful Things you describe. come from this
We Will not argue. only walt. l plant 1t In the
rich loan, the sunshine and the rain wave
THEIR WAND OF MYSTERY
above IL. dare not go down into the labyrinth,
as that will be to disturb the process and the
secret remains; IL grows into small lear and on
autumD shake it and there drops into my hand
400 ike those planted. And we live In tue midst
sca ,dS ss p1 u Ssssr rhen IN
western granaries again; never believe In the
barns flied with natures mysteries. IL not the
argument lOgical7 Is 1t not lair should draw the
analogy Ijudge of value BY the results; Judge
with ali the acumen possess; ! draw the line
from what can to what cannot understand and
turn to the results. 1 understand that am talk
ing to men and women and not to angels. There
airsc a by by sin. though all are hoping Tor
and striving toward heaven. Let us come down
are oane IN the co In he
ball room, IN that holy OF hOes the household;
vQk q nurn
men. Can you do this alone NO. we want
help. In o stand up contest Gin Will prove the
victor ia the end unless we are sustained by q
power which comes at call. In the midst OF temp.
tation prayer is shield, enabling you. when an
mind me, satan.r Prayer enters into every aues-
ton OF right or wrong; IL enters mysterious
then sorrows. Many win look anxiously toward
the skies before another winter. Can you bear
you carry in your hearts a power winch drives
despair INTO hope. Believe It, so as TO try IT; sub
ACID OF criticism and Il win come out pure gold.
am sometimes asked II am not AFRAID the Bible
prize SO highly WI be tipped over by the man o.
1t to be. Hammer away you only hurt yourself
prayed and got no results That Is
COMMON EXPERIENCE.
Did you ever have feeling mat there was some
Thing in your lie, some indescrioable controlling
Iowcr causing things TO turn out entirely diner-
en- from what you expect' You do not perceive
There I'M Is the dnlcuIty Effects follow on causes in
all physical tninQs Ii Is not 80 In spiritual things
There you produce tne cause; the effect Is in the
Will OF God and not In yours. When prayer wends
lis way to the bosom OF the Almighty, He hears
the words and Keeps them But lie never prom
ised you u lreestone house if you would but ask
fcr 1t, IKE the GENT which responded TO the
touch OF AladdIns lamp. But COD always bends
MS ear TO prayer, and through IL will De found a
strength In your trust not attainabc without IT:
The Israeiites prayed for freedom and expected
that their CHAINS would drop Oh at once but not
50. IL took forty years 70 get an answer 10 tnat
prayer anu haia years too; yet look at the prem
leed land and at Jerusalem. Was not the prayer
answered You ask for a handful and Coo Will
give you an armluL In the passage OF The Rcd
Sea and ia the wanderngs In the wilderness was
not prayer answered Believe so with your wnoIc
said, III have had so much work 10 do today that
have been compelled to pass three hours In
prayer.u You say you have 10 attend to business,
and have not time for prayer. believe you would
70 10 your business With clearer heads and