The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-08
FOURTH UNIvERsALIST CHURCH.

REV. DIR. CHAPLIN ON THE ROCK OF DEFENCE.
DR.. Chaplin preached In his church yesterday
morning from the text "For thou art my rock
and nv fortress" found in the 10th Psalm,
third verse. The psalm, said the Doctor, from
which these words are taken may be truly called
"a salm OF lfe." 1t Is tie utterance OF one who
had known deep experiences and worldly vlcissi'
tudes, who was familiar with pers and deliver
ances and who, as 1t seems. in exile and advanced
In age. found himself pressed and threatened by
enemies. But they are also the words OF one who
had no real fear o. earthly danger, and who had
resource that cannot fail, But while, doubtless.
these experiences were peculiarly fitted 10 the
circumstances OF the psalmist who used them
thousands OF years ago. l need not say that they
are also lifted 10 every man ana to every age.
They pertain to that part OF
OUR HUMANITY.
which transcends all local and temporal condi.
tons. They express the final strength and as
surance OF the human soul. The figure which is
employed here is very striking and noble one.
1t occurs frequently throughout the Psalms.
These images OF a rock and fortress suggest the
scenery and The conditions OF some Eastern land.
in which war was chronic or where at least
prevalent hostilities forced men TO seek the pro-
lection OF pre:ipitous heights and towers OF de.
fence; condition, alas which Is not utterly
remote from the experience OF our time. But
whatever may De the objects OF the world at
80. ~, "etnSi 70 Pea.o VI "a'' NY
most serene prosperity, 1t is certain
that men will always need reuge-a
rock, a fortress; IN other words, something that
Will prove ground OF support and a sure eelce;
even In tue most worldly pursuits even in tue
most mercenafy estimates, basis OF assurance.
For instance, IN the conduct OF business nothing
is more dep!orable than uncertainty.
LACK OF CONFIDENCE,
the want OF some reliable standard. Again, In
the scld OF intellectual action. how variable Is
has no basis OF certainly, no und0ubtcJ fOothold,
but which In the impotence OF scepLicsm Is driven
from point 10 point. from sunshine 10 SHADOW like
q bird through the rocking OF a tempest. And the
heart, ah, the human neartl must have some
thing to rest upon. or II Is q poor. shat
tered. ehipwrecKed heart indeed. Some object OF
love 1t must have to which 1t clinRs point OF
hope toward which at last 1t Is bearing up and
struggling on. You are familiar with the touch
hope In The home OF his remembrance and MS
a1ectlons:-
In all my wanderings around this world OF care;
In all my gri.f and God has given my share.
l Still had hopes --latest hours crown
Amids, these buneie oowe" 70 lay me down
And as a hare, whom hounds and horses pursue,
Pants TO the place from whence AT first lie dew
lstill had hopes my long vexations past
Here to return and die At home at last
There is scene in which such a support such
called rock or fortress. Even In desperate cases
wien ones life has driited into ,llrepute and his
prluc pies seem generally dilapdated, there may
Sill be something when stands like tower amid
the ruins OF his character and which constitutes
the last trace OF some redeeming sentiment.