New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-20
TESTS OF TRUE RELIGIOUS LIFE.

raising oil LazauS from the dead.
TESTS OF TRUE RELIGIOUS LIFE.
The Rec March, r. Ie'ej D R,a d 5' c'' he core
The Rev. Marvin r. Vincent, D. D., yester-
day occupied his pulpit in the Church Of tAe Covenant
(Pesby tcran ParAaye. and IEntyhith-st, ior the
frs. time since his return to the city The text was
taken from Mark x. 14l7 And when He came to His
disciples lie saw great multitude about them and the
scrlbes questioning with them. And traghtway al the
people when they bchcld Him greatly amazed and
running 10 Him >au,cd Him, And lie asked the soribes,
what question We with theme And one OF the multi
tulo answered ana said. Master. have brought unto
Thee my son, which hath a dumb SPIRIT
Even IL that OF miracles. Dr Vincent said, the
vision Of the TRANSPORTATION stands alone for its sub
Unity and deep meaning. But that portion OF the nara
which forms the text to-day viii indicate to you at
once tina: do not intend 10 occupy your attention with
tn glorics and wonders OF the mountain. Our place this
morning is ~ tie foot of the mountain and not upon the
summit We are 10 deal with something less fascinating
but more common than TRANSPORTATION vision, yet
something to which the vision has distinct and very
important relation. As the key TO my whole line of
thought ash bear mind this fact, that the dis
cipes came down from a OF the highest spiritual
ecstasy contact with of the saddeSt phases Of
human sorrow calling for the vigorous eXertiOn OF what
power relieve they might possess, and for the
exercise OF their lccnest sympathy.
For example. ~ TRANSPORTATION and hard duty may
seem 10 their essence they very closely akin
practice. Eotl phases OF the incident representative
OF and conditions of Christian life. Most Christians
are favored certain periods OF their history with
thing answering a TRANSPORTATION vision, when the
spiritual Tor the OverTdes the sensual when their
apprehension Christ and OF Divine truth is prefer
naturally qu.cLened, and all forms OF religious emotion
at white heat. 50 there other times marked By
emotions less tumultuous, yet less deep not the
ecstasy John p of the dying stephen, but
quiet wu,Er ;o days together on the upands OF hoy
-ffaf Al lee
soul comras>ed with sabbath stiffness, and poised IN
perfect rest such developments rs teSe are Wen as
CcItnnc. unGUcsHOncd facts, bearing the testimony OF
Scripture A wei a later experience They have Their
purpose ia tAe DIVINE economy part OF wlch al ets'
They are moreover the brightest spots in Christian eX-
pcrcncc. ard D." scal ever attained one OF thtse hin's
who was noj imuCed to say, with Peter Il Is good Tor
u !" Dr. mere -, Us puiU en- arIo
with sin and SORROW" Here lies The danee[ IN such sea
mo,t PLAN ard manner, tne.r relations to other,
am ar conditions OF life. IL lid not heed Peters
incOherent request. lie knew and designed TO teach
Peter thai not set Oc The Lord and sin less for the dsci-
thus brircnr he disciples into Sudden AMI sharp
tat WITT e. ten dneSeCne Of those In wnich
much Of "a. ovD NE was passed, and in which so
struck sla1,y al no error 60 common IN al ages OF
Christian ioy, wlch insist 'cst~tic frames Of mind
The condition and test OF ne fchgiouS life, and
which leads clc 10 suspect ali Christian experience
winch does MOI d. continually Al lAls h-AeI region, A.
Now, IL calling II crTC. there no denial u me
truth that the Iiut OF The spirit joy and peace Nor
do overlook The fact that Christians are themselves al
fauit, through careless living and want OF inth ana
All ns does not ga WIN TIE 'act -ha ~ Sc c4i I9,
high sTifit tension are nO and are not luended 10
ence Th,J ar =. u,lonai its history 1asls
urAton visions in me hs,ois II Cnrist's disciples
JOY and }cac. not tXeCpuOud bat theJ are no d.
,nu'm nou uI trne ~. t6rv are sis6 AZ
The Bottom Men do mol have 10 rise 10 sublime
h,zts ind these, ont they are Gods pre-
Ions s s,l,f dow, y mo the valleys where the Of
Christian c1DcIenc- Is wrought ont and he Who seeks
them Will hul then there continual guests, dnC VII re-
3oce Away end ae h.pt n Icriec' peace. IN o,Aer
words these tha. Christian JOY ana peace, are we ac
compartments OF ordinary duty md Oh haTd dnly an of
sOrrOw-t!e things Nrn make ny The iae 81 our iN,:
And 1t tn, sphere. therefore ibal Christ Lmhti
uIaon: but N Ne We -Aall Iayc peace And Peter,
VINO learned great deal between hc time az thai vision
the mountain AID Tie day II his departure 10 he WIN
Christ IN Glory he had wanted 10 oe al 100 soon,
learned that r-sCn among Others ana &aae II 10 u S
for season If need be- ye are II DtaYnesS Ls'SA man
paul wa oni, once caught mp into tie third heaven
and yet Paa a n who lived in Uunt'erable peace
ana 10y we i t 20 ' If - mos men oaid
have urnsed IuMitigitcd sorrow and wearing sSeur-
neyings sufcrnss ,trPe pri 'onarnIs peIlis OF rob
al these things We are abundany the conc 80
and are heavy laden and will give you rest, lie did
not mean rest Ike that "hich t't>r desired, fe.l
winch should never md IL Sv;.c't Gown any more 10
the region OF Tie blind and lame am possessed resi-
Rcdeener rest IN short Whc ahONlt cVnsls' III 'ic
entire absence Of al disturbing infnenc g. he meant
rest which should develop itself ou OF the midst % these
very disturbing nhu'nces thion-h poWol -
them all Instruments OF stdneSS ana ustin meas
needs 20 climb % no heaven TO build his tabernace
1he tabernacle Of God zwith men, ana III the tiine OF
trouble He shall hide His child in Ilis pat iil0n
Moreover there j. philosophy N TINS economy OF
Christian experience which il requires no deep VISION
20 apprehend. Just the human lungs are not con
sttued 10 breath haliiually in ile eh Ain1spheI. 10
which the Alpine climber new ana tlen mounts so ne
human soul is not adapted 10 live haitlay III ecstafc
conditions. The very word ecstasy points 10 something
EXCEPTIONAL is literally condition when stands OUT
above the ordinary level Of experience. We al know
TINS well enough IOm facts ia our own lives. We al
know the exldusting effect Of mighty emotion, The
reaction which follows upon great JOY or sorrow, the
lassitude wcs falls fae eloquent speaker altel ne
Las maguctiZed and -Waycd a multitude through MS
hour Inspiration. And tAe fact mat the emotion If
that the mind always gayfes bac 70 average level
proves itself that such conditions are exceptional 20
The ordinary staple experience and tnC attempt 10 con
vert such exceptions the rule OF religions me- 10
MAINTAIN 1t at the level represented by PAU III his rap
fuTe to Tie third heaven by Moses ia the cleft Of the
rocx or by disciples daZLcd and cOn1ouBfcd 10y the
glory OF TRANSPORTED savior must always end III IAN
iIre and disappointment ,,-,.. 49, ,...
Yet have said that these exalted religious conditions
have their place and their purpose Ut Is now see ~ We
can get any hint from Onr eNt IS 70 "ha tnese are anu
here let me lay general proposition thai states
and frames of mind are means lathCr imam ehus III
Christian life. They are impulses motors gudes anu -
such are cultivated and developed but only az such
never ends unto themselves never as mere iuNIe,
always with view 10 some pracuc0l applcstlOh III
The field OF Ous duty the moment TINS IS lost out
OF sight they degenerate mic the dreamy, anless eesl
luystic. And mis- j 10 ftnClcQ owl ! VIII
mo- urffcud 10 here what has brought 10 pass; Di
fnay mat one Of the most Obstinate errors when
(s. teacher las % ngnt - Inc eliOft 10 gioe men
- heaven Is tAi, tendency 20 make Christian ata!nme
e,, A. t.e N liuteuace OF certain frames or mnd the
lopscnuepCo ~ which that the man IN great deal