The New York herald., 1879-03-03

nothing crueer in this world. and more frequent
species of cruelty, than to enforce ones rights
upon ones neighbor he crucifed account
of them. Men who were truly great were much
better inside than outside; Mr; beecher amplned
wise. II man did not know what to do. il he had
saroir to,re. he would be very much disesteemed
in a Yankee country. II he went South, where they
were used TO that sort of thing. 1t all right
(aughter)-but New England the hardest place
IN the world for shiftess loafer though he be
well meaning. The lives of many such men. how
ever, although they appeared as wastes, popu-
lous. rich and beautiful within.
Imagination often depicted men falsely. Mr..
Beccher had thrown javelin sentences against many
men and afterward had found out that they not
what he thought them to be; they were the wrong
men. laughter.) Sometimes he had an idea that
something Of the kind had been done to him. More
laughter.)
WILLETT STREET NJ. E. CHURCH.
is CHRISTIANITY A FAILURE ?-sERMoN BY REV.
J. E. sEARLEs
We may consider Christianity in a national. So
cial and personal vew said the Rev. j. L. Searles
the Wilett Street Methodist Episcopal Church, in
discussing the much mooted question. "Is Chris
tianity faiiure?" His text was taken from Revela
tion. VIII .. AS to the several and varied forms and
organizations under which Christianity ap.
peared and is now visible he said they
are of human invention and not essential to the
question. True Christianity must be found in the
hearts, lives and acts of the disciples OF Christ. After
enarging at some length on Christianity as a living
faith preacher declared that there is this paradox
in Christ's teachings:-He came not to bring peace
but a sword, aud yet he to bring peace and good
will to Christianity is set for the destruction
evil and the bringing in of peace OF purity and of
love. Its work, therefore, is twofold--to overthrow
and build up.
WHAT CHRISTIANITY DONE.
Now, what has it done? the preacher asked, aud he
proceeded TO answer. 1t dug nations grave that
stood in its way; it withstood the most terrible op
position and prosecutions. and in three centuries IL
transformed the laws and institutions of the might
lest empire that existed. But it may be replied,
Mr. Searles said that Christianity did not retain her
victory. But this. the preacher urged, cannot be
garded failure more than changes and defeat in
secular to be regarded failure. After
citing several instances of the failure OF
he argued that Christianity has vicissitudes for
the reason, and proceeded to compare the
Christian government the earth with all govern
ment not Christian, and deduced the lesson that
Christianity promotes the policy Of selfgovernment
Wherever it breathes its vitalizng breath it promotes
the best forms of civilizations it furnishes the most
perfect code of morals 1t regulates the civic law Of
nations. Its force has been very much neutralized
by it's perverson from its real mission, by the
cumbrances of human traditions and by the undue
magnifyng of ceremonials and creeds. but a power
resident i'll the nations it rules the world.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF IT'S ACHIEVEMENTS
In national view, therefore, Christianity cannot
be regarded failure and a social element it has
accomplished more than any other agency to elevate
and promote human welfare. To illustrate this the
preacher showed what it had accomplished in Britain
since the the Druids and the present condi-
ton of the British people was compared with that of
the South Sea Islanders. The effects in Japan and
India were also noted. and the preacher
countries were rapidly giving way before it.
Its achievements for the social elevation of
woman and for the liberty of the oppressed
in all Christian nations also pointed out. and
strong feature made of the gigantic super
structure OF Christian charities in hospitals, aims
houses and prisons, and in caring for the homeless
and friendless and for the poor little founding.
There home in it. the preacher said with fervor,
and he then asked What has done all this Is 1t the
teachings of who discard the Bible and ridicule
Christianity! Does this come from men who de-
nounce churches and Christians? No, it comes from
the Bible and from Christianity.
TRUE GOODNESS.
The arguments brought against Christianity from
the faults and shortcomings of protesting Chris
tians prove too much. II ail the teachings and in
huences of Chris, anity fail to make some people
truly good, what would they be without them? The
comparisons instituted by the opponents Of Chris
tianity unfair. They take the poorest speci-
mems of Christians and compare them with
the best people who do not profess
ligion. The worst should always be compared with
the worst. Socially Christians are the people The
wealth OF nations is in their circle The greatest
proportion of talent and culture is the churches,
III the pulpit or in the pews. The great educational
institutions mostly belong to the department of
composed Of Christians. Christianity embraces the
family relation. it alone gives sanctty to marriage
and is its chief safeguard.
THE FINAL TRIUMPH OF CHRISTIANITY.
Christianity the preacher said has been prejudiced
by the austerity OF some OF its professors. True
Christianity appeals to common sense 1t Is adapted
to this life and is not intended to circumscribe any
innocent and rational enjoyment. After illustrating
this part of his theme Mr. Searles said in conclusion,
the greater part of the of Christianity
personal and hidden-that is to say. 1t is ex-
preston OF the heart-spritual. There thou
sands of the most devoted Christians whose
humble position in society excludes them from
public observation. and there are niultitudes
who perhaps outwardly may not appear to any great
moral advantage who nevertheless heroically
battling against some terrible difficulty unknown to
men, and in Gods sight worthy OF all praise for
doing well as they do. We must not overlook the
fact that religion is complete in its personal spiritual
benefits in each individual Christian. Spiritually.
therefore, to judge ntelligenty and Justly of the
or failure of Christianity we must know the
extent of its influence upon individuals. The fact
will not be changed whether refer to the results
in this world or to the final trumphs Of the Gospel
in the word to come, and the crowning glory is
in the complete delverance from sin and salvation In