The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-22
FIFTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.

The Kew. Dr. Arnlltago preached on Inc suOJoct OF
Cnrst's Resurrection Scientific Fact, taking his
text from Luke XIV, 34-"Ihs Lord Is risen indeed,
aud he appeared Simon" The hrst clause in those
words said the Doctor asserts veritable fact by the
emphatic word "ndeed." claiming that Cnrisps
rectiou is no fiction, liable or legend. Tho second
clause indicates the OF v.dence by which that
fact IS sustained, sand appeared 10 simon, claim
ing that His resurrection was proved by ocular dem
opstration. He was seen by one vcritabe
witnoss, whose name is given-"Simon" This
brings tho claim, within the province OF
scientific facts, SO far as that the alleged inct
Is physical ana not an opinion, ana 70 far
that the proncred evidence Is that OF the
and dcdpction. Just here is important to state
what science Is and under what law OF evidence It's
findings are reached. Dr. Huxley gives this simple
definition 'Scencc is, believe, nothing blu, trained
and organized common sense" Now to train any
thing Is TO draw II out in series OF consecutive steps,
aud TO organize 1t denotes Tho method by which 1t
drawn out or what organs II uses, such as tho eye,
the ear &c. or tho reasoning faculties, as tho case
may DO.
THE EVIDENCE OF SCIENCE.
As to the sort OF evidence which science employs.
As some author says, III any one Is abe to max
good tho assertion that his theology rests upon solid
evidence and sound reasoning then. II appears to me,
that such theology mustake It's place as part OF SCH
ence" The resurrection OF Christ admits OF tho same
sort OF evidence as hit which substapiates any other
alleged historical fact within the sphere VI physical
occurrences and u admits the same order 81 evidence
In proving its extraordinary lacts which suited
proving common iacts There was a time In tho his
tory OF scientific sceptlcsm when tho resurrection OF
Christ was held 10 DO fabrication aad fasehood.
but IN lis present phases that assumption almost, "
not entirely, abandoned. Tho most learned and can
did OF that school to-day conccde that The rst three
gospels are the yeritabe history OF the facts which
they profess to record making some allowance for u
ltlc extra crcculty and love OF the marvellous here
and there. Common sense, when trained ana organ
izcd, sets aside this whole question oil imposshiity,
aud Yields 10 evidence, exactly rs science IN nnu-
meraDle pcrpIexcs, IN pnys.olosy ana psy oiosy.
In physics and metaphysics. Take Tor instance the
most simple and primary question. ASK sceptical
science how the body OF Christ was FIRST formed.
What first gave motion TO that heart which was rup-
tured on the cro.s? How HIS brain first generated
thought? How HIS will originated power to act
upon HIS muscles nerves anc bones and set them IN
motion? But science IL dumb. II can give you all
tho facts, all the phenomena, but II silent ABOUT
their primary causes Yet IL II is puzzled by such
questions how can II saw that 10 is Impossible TO
store this motion ana action when II has once
ceasedY Let sccpticaI science tell me what first gave
the throb 10 His heart, what first generated thought
IN His brain and what first gave power 10 HIS limbs
before lie entered The tombY aud then can tell
at once how this was done the second time whom Ho
came sack out OF tho tomb.
PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE.
! ne disciples spoke oi their own personal knowI-
csgr. Iney were present whcn aud wncra the events
IL which they dcpocd nccnfrcd. fhcy heard Him
Win Their own ears they hapd'ed HIN with Their
own hands They were acquainted with every feature
OF HIS face every tone Of HIS voice and every gesture
OF HIS person. rhey walked AID talked With Him,
and iscnsd MS auditors to HIS postrosurrccion, ex
position 81 Scripture ana other addresses. They Of
cred nctthsr the evidence OF opinions, mar bearsay,
OF loric but their senses and hey saw Hun
no less than niue lcrcut timcs NJ man ever becomes
impsstor without some end to grin. ou, these men
showed that thr resurrection was not with them
ton opinion, but settled fact, aud they hcroc
ally sealed their evidence witt their blood.
In conclusion, scientific scontics are hound 10
show what became OF the BODY 81 Jesus Christ on
scientific principles and eyidcdcc. Let mcn Of
med aud orgarized common sensen s'op THIS pre-
ieuce and triling That body delivered INTO tho
hands OF the imperial government; they are held re-
sponsibe tor its safety and are 20 account Tor It's ab
soucc without any fabrcston OF dsgraccfu bungting
mindless stupidy. They put 4, INTO tomb or let u
be put .ncrc Tncy sent sixty mcn irurci 20 arms
bred under tho strict discipline Of a camp. who
sworn prev ent the escape ol one dad man.
To sleep guard was death, and no power could
sh,eld that guard against punishment. What mon
strous farce II s make sixty soldiers furnish legal
deposition proving what took place When they were
asleep That can hardly pe scientific TACT.