The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-05
LYRIC HALL.

victory SO ne pcrseVefeu tue next DAY anu lui-
filed his vow.
LYRIC HALL.
REASONABLE RELIGIoN-sERMoN By REV. O. D.
FRoTHINeHAM.
The Rev. o. B. rockingham preached yester-
day morning for the first time IN Masonic Hall,
which Is henceforth TO be the home or his mock.
The sermon was denunciation OF the extremes
OF orthodoxy and inndety, and the novel spec
tacle of applause Il e., clapping or hands, was
witnessed during It's delivery. 1t was plea Tor
medium course or faith, seconded by intelligent
inquiry. which the reverend preacher called
reasonable religion"
THE MODERN SPIRIT OF INQUIRY.
Ii is q great mistake TO suppose that a reason
able religion, because 1t has no contradictions or
mysteries must, therefore, be barren and cold.
Is trust aspiration not reasonable? Reason
comprehends the highest compass OF the human
mind. Rubnstein, the composer, once went to
Plymouth church, and was asked how ne liked 1t.
Well, he said he had heard very sensible talk,
but no religion. The preacher had told them
how they should i've and be honest, but religion
taught men to DO what was impossible. Religion
says dream Of being vastly higher than you are.
There is no question that within the last centu-
ries reason acquired agreat ascendancy In religion.
1t began with Martin Luther, and after him came
the long procession OF Protestant scholars who
criticised ths deity OF Christ everlasting damna-
ton, &c, and asserted the supremacy OF reason.
But no Protestant divine has tried 10 assert this
supremacy OF reason over every part OF the reig-
ION some sacred corner has still been lett which
reason has not dared to invade. The next step
was to invade the domain OF the Old Testament.
Reason found that it was not entitled to credence
In point OF chronology, science and history. 1t
was discovered that 1t was but collecuon OF lite
rary works and not the Book OF all booAs. The
Tagf ma lad "a
or the early Christian literature, beautiful, grand,
but nor as tue expression of the inaillole Deity.
Reason says to The Mohammedan, "Open TO me
your Koran;" reason says TO the Jew, "Open to
me your ancient Scrlptui es."
THE GROWTH OF REASONABLE RELIGION
IL Is not true tnat thus course OF investigation
has been reckless aud Wild AMI rebelllous; but on
the contrary, IL has been humble ana reverent.
Tue discoveries nave only assalleG certain subor-
dlnate facts, but not the great underlying prlnci-
pe srs oi " nt t snn ~ s, @hi Tneps
never has been an atheist VINO mas not affirmed
something greater even than what ne denied.
The atheists, Tor instance preceding the French
Revolution believed what In their minds Was
higher tnan the doctrines they attacked.
IL untrue to say that tae process oil reason has
been destructive o. religion; out, on the contrary,
1t has been constructive. lew years ago con-
gregation VINO wOlsn1pped under a low ROOF In
Madison avenue de- ermned 10 build liner ana
better temple. At last tie old chapel was taken
down. and they suddenly found themselves in
edlnce large anu gorge as. 30 It mas been with
this structure oil reasonable religion People have
not watched its growth. They nave pofed over
their old books, but the walls were rising slowly
mi now they were visible TO all Cnrlslendom.
RELIGIOUS DISHONESTY.
l say that THIS reasonable religion preserves
every sweet affection, every nooie trust and does
ample justice TO the spiritual wants OF man. Per-
haps, you say "tnls reasonable religion IS pecu-
arily but little cultivated by scruDulous people,
and not accepted Oy the large mass oil manklnd.n
Ne are told tnat there are out .wo tnnEs-relig-
ION or religion. Now, what l conlend Tor is
this :-rha; it Is TO relieve religion u the caarge
oil narrowDess anu Digotry that stand here and
preach every Saooatn. There is noIhlng In whlca
men are so dishonest so Inslncere, as Ia tns great
matter oil rel glol. IL IS vast concern-practl-
cally the most important 10 the mass OF mankind.
Is not religion mere Ia New YORK regarded as
fashionable appendageg People mere b. thousands
profess creeas they 40 not believe, patronze sun
day charaians because they Triple their hearers
aud 20 through service Of chatting and bowIng,
when IN their hearts there Is nothing. (dere there
was actually suppressed ouLOurst or APP
plause.l There was nothing more wounding TO
the truly religious minu thdn this careless con-
tempt or TINS greatest OF all human concerns.
What Is IL but 10 make God and Christ the cnlef
decorators OF society ~ Reasonable religion
stands between the extremes OF bIgOtry and un-
belIe quarrel Win no mans theology, and
every man IS welcome 10 his own one theory OF
the secrets OF the universe, long as it Is
earnestly and consistently held, IS as much ent-
tied 70 respect as another. n anyooiy lees that
he Is once 10 be roasted In everlasting lire he is
perfectly welcome 10 his belief (Laughter.l
Theology Is not the great evil, but tne position that
any theory IS alone sufficient and tnat ali others
are wong is the great outrage upon tue human
mina. what Is Il but a declaration mat reason Is
worthless anu misleading tan we wonder that
people leave All theological ana rengous matters
alone when you saul the gates 70 an inquiry, when
everybody VINO does not accept lt - damned.
COMPLIMENTARY TO MR.. yARLEY.
Still the bloody cross OF calvary throws It's
shadow upon society: through every prayer and
sermon reverDerates the awful doctrine OF human
1eprayity stll we see IA the distance lighted the
nres OF nell. Tie same intolerance, me same
prejudice, tine same Wild, amess reading OF tie
Scriptures tnat always cnaracterlze reyiN ais tue
same remuneration OF the lOltiness OF reason and
thought characterize the present revivais IN the
Iippodrome. There IS nothing more degrading,
more offensive TO the reasonable and truly re-
ltglous mind than 70 see THIS man Marley &C he
HippodrOme take out his watcn ana give his
hearers 1--WE minutes 20 come TO Jesus. loud
laughtcr.) Is 1t not awful tnat these poor work.
ing people VINO attend the nIppodrome REVEALS,
most OF them racked by the cares OF poverty ana
tine troubles Of stern world, should be tortured
nv stil additional llinsve fears OF eternal damna
tionr loud appiause.l IL y norrioie; ana stu
should countenance sucn dissertation OF true re-
likion. -
Reasonable religion welcomes all men 70 the
nowiedge oftne eternal mystery. IL trades upon
no mUrDld sentiments. As Tar as the scientific
tendency oil the age rs concerned there IS also
word to be SAID. lt has opened so many
vIstas to our view, II mas maze the word
much larger ana better, that we must acknoal-
edge profound oebt OF gratitude TO science winch
we snail never be aDle 70 pay. But II IS not 10 be
wondered at that science IS somewhat concerted
IN its dealings win religion. ScieniInc inQuirers
small extent or scientific Application. 1ne educa-
ton OF fne word demands constructive as well ~
destructive work. Reasonable IellgiIn welcomes
love. faith, nose, the immortal yearnings o. tue
soul, as useful aids 70 scientific investigation Tor
the revelation OF the truth. IL welcomes every
noble purpose and asks Tor the unity OF latin, ana
only processes 10 be one or tue cO-educafoTs along
WITH those VINO teach the higher education OF
mankind, VINO pray and yeafn Lnat the perfect
viii OF GOD may ne done on earth IL is IN
heaven.
ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL.
THE APPEARANCE OF CHRIST TO THE