The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-23
CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS.
The Joyous Festival Anticipated
from the Pulpits.
"G0OD WILL TOWARD MEN"
The Cradle and the Child
That Lay In 1t.
CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.

WAS THE LIFE OF CHRIST FAILURE !-sERMoN
by REV. GEORGE H. HEPwoRTH
At first sight and to the casual observer. Christs
life was broken-he hearted failure. said Mr. Hepworth
in his sermon yesterday morning. The text he
selected from Matthew H.. And 10. the star which
they saw in the east before them till it and
stood over where the young child was
1t was privilege continued the preacher, to
be among that small number of magii who came from
the East to do homage unto the worlds Saviour. or
TO lay at His their offerings of frankincense and
myrrh. but may be of that large number OF
humble and joyful souls who are travelling toward
.he east that they may lay at His feet the better Offer
lngs of their hearts. Christs life circle whose
centre was in Bethlehem of Judea, but whose
influence encloses the cycles of eternity. Upon the
site where He born the mother of Constantine.
Helena built memorial church 1t is not for us to
express gratitude in that way, but we can sit at
the feet of the Master and mark such acts of wis
dom that we shall be able to build character which
shall outast the granite church in Bethlehem, which
shall be fresh and still young when that building is
crumbled into dust 1t is very natural as this season
of the year to ourselves the old question.
What the secret of Christ's power? 1t life
that had apparently accomplished nothing except His
own failure and DEATH He successful in nothing
except in bringing upon Himself the ungenerous
criticism of many and the undying hatred of some.
He did discourage the ordinary pursuits of men, al
though he cared nothing for them Himself He uttered
no word against the acquisition of wealth though He
pointed the finger OF scorn at those who over
estimated its power He always reminds me Of one
who goes immense workshop hlled with
cunning tools and with men using them to make
something for themselves. Each is busy with
his own tools his own materials and his own plans
The door opens and stranger enters; he knows the
use of everything there; he has more marvellous
skill than any workman there, and yet with quiet
tread he goes from bench to bench. from man to
man, and tells each one the secret OF larger cum
ming than he has dreamed of before, how he
use the tools TO a better advantage and make some
thing greater value of the material that lies there
He does nothing for himself all the time except TO
reap the unkind criticism Of those who think it best
let well enough alone-nd to 90 on with their poor
wretcbed work when they might be doing something
grander. nobler and more worthy of themselves.
INFLUENCE on GREAT MINDS,
Jesus seems also to have had no influence what
ever with the greatest minds of the age in which He
lived: with those who controlled ecclesiastical affairs,
those who held hig h political Office those who were
eminent in social circles. They heard His voice
except echo and that echo some ones hearsay;
they never affected by His larger wisdom. by
His penetrating foresight by His proounder insight.
/ suppose that 81. Paul, when he preached on Mars
Hill the philosophers of Athens. had more cul-
tured and more thoughtful audience than ever fell to
the lot of Jesus. Paul easily addressed the thought
OF the world. Jesus did not. / think Christ had
very little influence in any direction while He
lived People surprised Ut Him when they heard
Him; perhaps their surprise became TRANSPORTED
into admiration, and few were found at his feet.
These mostly the destitute. | do not under
stand that Jesus 10 any great extent affected the pub
lie opinion of Jerusalem. He went with His whip of
small cords and drove the money changers out of the
Temple, but perhaps they returned the next day.
We have record to the contrary. He did not de-
stroy any single abuse of power by those who held
office change for the better single custom
usage the Temple service. At first sight this life of
Christ very remarkable failure aud at his death
His grave heaped high with the Of
enragcd and maidened world st. Paul tells us,
however, that the way OF life lies through death,
and IL illustration The seed that lies
IN the palm of your hand has divine possibilities in
it. but il appears not yet ripe for development Bury
IL and 4; grows 1t is the paradox of the universe
proclaimed by Christ and illustrated by Him: the
enigma OF philosophy and the despair of the times.
Search life in grave! II you plant the seed in
the black soil the bud dies and must unfold. and up
through the sod comes tender shoot the teaches
A. new every day. ana rain drops fail IN sparklets
and grows stronger until at last IL stands in
which every branch and every point of endurance
laden with rich. ripe and luscious fruit. 1t is only
after Christs disappearance that He appears;
il only when lie becomes invisible that the world
sees Him. What rs the secret OF His power,
do YOU ask ? Let try il. The secret of
His power lies IA that which the world knew moth
ing about when he here uamely-that moral
force stronger than physical force. That as the
wonderful thought OF the New Testament: that il
the corner stone OF the citadel. When Christ
came He pat this thought into mems minds, and
during tine Last eighteen centuries have been
adopting II little by little Christs power lay partly
IN what he said but allow me to say that Christ's
power lay mostly in what He he not only spoke
the truth but He lived It, He said 10 he whole world
81 WILL Dc with you Away.