The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-01
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH.

TRANsFIGURATIoN-sEEM BY REV. n. NJ
VAN sLYKE.
Rev +. N. Van Siyke preached last evening on the
subject OF the TRANSPORTATION, taking his text from
Matthew xvii, Is He said:-In the course OF many
thoughts upon the life and history OF our Lord como
TO the ranshs All the authorities my
command upoo the lie of Lord divide His minis
Try according to the ordinary chronological method
the nrst eighteen months comprising the Judsan MN
islry, followed by the seven months of ministry
Gaiee and the circuit through the northern cities
and ,hen the return to Judea, when the last lew
months arc filled with scenes OF the betrayal and
crucnxion, which forever make Gethscmanc AMI CAL
vary shrncs toward which tho hearts OF Christian
pilgrims with faith and love- While this method
rs valuable for fastening the mind the general
tcrnal characteristics OF the ministry OF Lord II
tails present insight into the internal develop
Of ministry II docs not place before in
their relationship the great events Of the minis
Try does 1t lead us into q critical study OF tho
mind and purposes OF the Saviour. Tho three impor
tant transccndcnt points His ministry the bap
tsm. the TRANSPORTATION and the crucinxon. pro-
found knowledge OF any one OF these can 90 obtained
only by viewing n In It's relations TO the others and In
the light which the others reflect upon H. We are
cusiomed to consider tho TRANSPORTATION
lated act IN the lie OF Chrst--as n moment when all
the divine flashed through the veil OF HIS humanity
the pierces clouo, ~ win glory,
rs revealing Tor single instant the indwcng glory
OF OF Coda glory which some day shall be
ours. when snail "scc HIM and be like Him." wo
arc accustomed regard IL something apart from
His regular ministry, having no intimate relations
with anything that prccedes or follows and ncuca-
ting lessons OF great weight to US. But when wo
turn from the study OF tho outward his
tory to the iAteruai development OF our Lords |
ministry we ind that the trapsneuration Is |
no
ministry turns IL stands midway between the bap-
t,sm and the crucinxlon not chrome ogicaIly, for
was near the close OF the second year but 10 me un-
folding OF His life WORK, ADD upon u hung the most
momentous results !. was ,ne decisive moment
lion marks the summit Ut HIS public ministry, ana on
Tho other the nrst step Of the descent winch led
10 tho humiliation Of the cross, the power oil the res
direction, aud The glory OF the ascension.
cHRIsr's PURPOSES
To establish this let notice the twofold nature
81 Hts ministry. Not only was Christ TO be the sui
srng one the saviour OF the world but lie Was 10 be
day wncn Hc shall deliver the Key OF the Kingdom
unto the Father. FIRST as king and prophet, he was
the disciples. to instruct them in the principles Of
truth by which ~ wss TO bo governed and which
should insure Us p'ipsss . ana , ssoon', ocsn,s
ole unto the Father. aud by HIS atoning
blood 70 bring many soul: INTO the slnsde% 10 &C.
HIS Ministry incomplete HIS purpose Noncompliance
tue iuInsss of HIS mission undeveiopsd and the
Is the pivot wnioh this twofoId
ministry turns. Never during this nrst period DID
Chrrt publicly proclaim Himself as the Messiah
Durlug all this ministry HIS sole purpose was tho
founding OF His Kingdom. When John the Biptist
from tho desert hrs proclamation was, Repent
Tor the kingdom OF heaven n nj bsnd.n When Jesus
began His ministry II was ny preaching the gospel
OF The Kingdom OF Cod" liz tho nrsi commission
He gave tho twelve disciples Jesus "sent tbcm To
preach the kingaom Of Goa" In HIS parables He
spoke continually Of tine kingdom OF cod" He saw
men struggling for wealth and power and said,
'sseek 20 mrs, the kingdom OF Coo AID MS righteous
ness aud all these things snail De added to YOU" He
represented faith IN Himself the door OF entrance
IN n IN
ne of the pur poses Of His MISSION accom- pushed.
The confession Of Peter, "rbou art the CHRISTI |
rave proof that He could return TO hts Father |
con hdent that His Kingdom snouid not perish, |
bot should spread until all humanity should be |
pcrmeated by It. But thc two years OF labor ncedcda
klill sranasr conclusion IL came In the ransngura-