The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-01
STREET PRESBYTE-
RIAN CHURCH
REV. DR. R. g. MORAN ON THE GREATNESS AND
INsIGNIFICANCE OF MAN.

REV. DR. R. g. MORAN ON THE GREATNESS AND
INsIoN1FICANcE OF MAN.
In the Forty.second street Presbyterian church,
near Broadway, the Rev. DR.. r, s. Moran preached
yesterday morning on the greatness and insignia
canoe ofman. DR.. Moran during his short stay In
New York, has become exceedingly popular and
1t Is probable that, IN response numerous invi-
tatons, he will locate here permanently on his
return from visit to Europe and the Hcly Land,
which he contemplates making in the spring. The
text OF the discourse was taken from Job VIII H.
"What IS man, that thou shouldest magnify him ?
and that thou sh0uIdest thine heart upon
HIM ~ The following is a brief outline OF the ser.
mon This Is a question OF deep and thrilling
interest; OF profound and far-reacning signih-
canoe. 1t Is, indeed, the great question OF the
ages; Q question which has claimed the attention
OF every thoughtful man in every age. Man as an
intellectual being Is confined to o small circle OF
knowledge, to which he Is limited not less by the
imperectlon OF his faculties than by the time and
space allotted for their exercise. AS moral being
he is possessed OF q nature whose impulses seem
to oscillate between the divine ana the demoni-
cal-now soaring to heaven in his aspirations and
now groveiing In tho dust. revealing in the graft
ication OF brutal MISUNDERSTANDING for the
mastery OF himself, yet ever held in bondage to
depraved dominant lusts. As o physical being he
Is creation OF small dimensions, lrall organiZa-
ton and Short-lved eXistence-a mere animated
atom, distinguished Tor a time by peculiar modifi-
cations from the myriads OF atoms surrounding
solid globe whereOn he dwells. Such il man. Coo,
VINO flleth eternity and nfnIty with His being and
perfection; who existed IN uncreated glory before
time began to run her circles. until on the morn.
Ing OF creation He arose and shook "ten thousand
woras Ke r goden pse HIS
their subordinates SO that they may not in the
uncounted cycles through which they are des-
tn nrh
mllliOnth part OF hairs breadth from the orbits
originally assigned to them, and who shall live on
when this magnificent array OF worlds snail be no
more. 1t Is the great miracle OF I0arves that this
high and lofty one who inhabiteth eternity, "who
them as tent to owen % sbo ana
condescend TO look with favor on such bong as
man, and lavish upon MIN the riches Of HIS love.
What thoughtful man can reflect on this subject
without having the old question OF JOB suggested
to his MINDS what is man that thou shouldest
heart upon him ?" In other words, what is there IN
man winch renders him an object worthy of this
for it is most obvious for God never does any.
thing without q sufficient reason. Can that
reason be determined ? TINS was an.
Shown to consist In Tits: THAT man when
spiritually. reveals more OF the glory and perfec-
lions God than Is elsewhere exhibited by the
all on TINS subject, we are obliged BY the very
constitution OF our intellects 10 conclude That God
values His divine Workmanship IN proportion as 1t
expresses His own wisdom, power goodness and
In short In proper ton as IL reveals HIS own char
acter and attributes. First. This Is shown by a
specific comparison and analysis. Man considered
In MS physical aspec:s Is complete epltome Of the
three Kingdoms or Nature. and so far as It Is
known, OF every law and principle OF the whole
material universe, He Is microscosm. From
this The inference was deducted that II all the
worlds in space were swept out OF existence, while
amid this universal wreck OF matter the race OF
man alone was preserved, by reason Of the CON-
pick or mysterious mechanism OF his body, OF ITS
properties and laws-all the scattered and varied
rays OF light which the bOundess magnIfcence OF
mater nal nature refect on the character and az
tributes OF Jehovah would be found here
verged into burning locus; and every evidence
OF the power. wisdom anu goodness OF God, vlsi-
ply manifest In the universe, would still shine
forth in this wonderful micrOcOsm, with all its In
trinsic iorce, beauty and perfection. In like
manner 1t was shown that u still higher and more
complete disclosure OF the Divine attributes Is
made through mans intellectual, moral and spir-
itual constitution. In conclusion an urgent ap-
peal was mace to men to act worthy OF their
exalted nature and divine destiny, and Of that
amazing manifestation or Gods goodness, mercy
wisdom aad love made IN mans redemption.