The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-27
Topics Of the Day Discussed
by Prominent DiVines.
YOUNG MEN IN POLITICS.
The Blair-Armstrong Tragedy
and It's Lessons.
RELIGION IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
THE FOUNDATION OF FAITH SERMON BY RI

THE FOUNDATION OF FAITH-sERMoN BY REV.
HENRY WARD BEEoHER
"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom
of men, but in the power Of God" read Mr.. Beecher.
taking his text from the First Epste of Paul to the
Corinthians, H., 8, and he said:-This Is reveia-
ton the part of the apostle of the aim that he
had and the method. 1t was to establish men. not
by tho cogency OF human reasonings not to win
them by rhetorical preachings not to draw them by
the lower methods by which the human mind is
drawn in any direction. but it was to bring
them into suca relationship to God and to the circle
of truth which surrounds them that the power of
their lives should be derived from Him. What.
then this faith that is not to stand in the wisdom
of men but in the power of God? There are two
tendencies of the human mind constantly ut work
One tendency is to turn physical facts into IDEAS
which belongs to men. We discern first as
animals but human beings go beyond that. When
they see they also what Is not to be seen. Men
looking things generalize and when satisfied
that certain things are. reason about them For in
stance, there is science in tree, no botany in
forest garden but there is great deal in the
man who looks at them We have material things
which presented to us by the evidence of our
lower Senses and we carry them up into the higher
regions Of thought where we think of them scientific
dency cooperating with this-namely. to
duce ideas that OF the imagination
mere thought and feeling and attempt to realize
Them embody them into the form OF matter. In its
largest definition faith is that condition OF the mind
which accepts non-material truths with all their
natural tendencies just as our lower senses accept
physical truths with all their natural tendencies
FAITH REASON.
Now, the opposition which has been made and ac-
septed by theologians between the and
.aith is not well founded There is OPP
nents. They do not differ from one another.
They are the same thing, only what is called reason
by scientists is reason acting on matter and demand
Ing for it's conviction the evidence which matter is
able to bring to senses. But faith is the reason
,x1ak;~. all
realm in which is found man. greatest development
Faith does not demand that we should believe in
contradictions, for no man can believe in con-
tradictions-that is. no man outside of lunatic
asylum or theological seminary Nor does faith
accept things fact without being able to explain
them 1t has been objected that God is not visible to
the senses. and it is asked can you see God? No.
Can you feel God9 No. Can you taste God? No.
Well then there is no God to your senses, and il
mud turtle that would be my way OF reason
After dwelling for some time on this part of his
subject and illustrating it with forcbe SMILES. he
continued:-"I knew a man in New York who came
Into a large inheritance. 1t was in England and it
amounted to many millions There were several
heirs. but his share would in o all probability
taken entire. possession Of his mind. He
little business that had up to the time afforded HIM
living. and he was eager to cross the ocean. We
lance is ours little seed may say to me. 81 would
like to be a beautiful blossom, and take my
put ant four andes s
Very soon 1t will say to me, az wanted
to be blossom, and here am. dead and buried.
root and nourishment and push through the earth
and become blossom and blush in the sunlight
while the blue birds sing all round it.
come to a great high stairs, and I groan at the
labor of the ascent. One by one toll the weary
care how assembled the starr When we are
In the possession of great JOY what do we
Of So
OF the finding of gulch of gold in Idaho
Kansas or wyoming, swarms OF men flock to the
srot hungry to grapple with tho rock for the
precious treasures. Christ is the embodiment Of
the feelings and purposes which exist in God. and
cession power. What We are to consider Is, Was
Ho in the element OF being transcendently above
conception OF Divinity itself? Who would want to
take from the world this faith? II an illusion will
sions reign. But 1t is no illusion. l have been
young. now am old. I've had my share OF trouble
rs you all know. I've had my share OF youth and
buoyancy. but know that In tme OF trouble there,
is pavilion into which man may retire until all
the storm may be overpast am witness to this
and there many other witnesses. We know that
this is no illusion, that cit is a reality
FIFTH Av. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
OBEDIENCE TO WISE REPRooF- SERMON BY THE
REV. DR. HALL.
The Rev. DIR. John Hall preached in the morning
on the necessity of submissive obedience to wise
proof The necessity of reproof he said is manifest
well the necessity Of receiving it In the right
spirit. One dislikes often wise reproof and hates to
lend to Il an obedent ear. The reverend gentleman
quoted many biblical instances of wise reproof taken
In submissive spirit. We are all of us influenced
by the circumstances around us. We somewhat
Hike the rock on tho seaside which, hard
though IL be. is still shaped by the boat
ing Of tho waves. 1t is therefore Of the
last m RI
monitlons ard advice which We receive in life.
Parental instruction is of the first importance. II
children disregard the religious teachings of their
parents they practically disregard the teachings of
God. assume. of course. that these teachings are
In harmony with the word of God. should be very
much embarrassed to name the time when parental
advice and reproof should lose their force. Even
middle aged men and women often benefit by the
advice Of their aged parents Have We realized the
instructions given to us? Are what parents
intended us to be? Even after our parents gone
the memories of their teachings remain with us.
stronger and stronger. i remember last sum
iner German lady recitng to me tho
hrst hymn she had learned IN early
childhood and she did so her lips tremblcd and
Icould not help thinking of the tremendous infu-
ence welded by parents Christian parents are you
fully aware of realizing the immense Importance OF
giving the right advice well wise reproof? And
you. children, do you lend to these asubmissve ear;
Or do you hesitate and doubt? Christian friends. try
10 remember these two-tho wise reproof on the ono
side anu the willing and submissive ear on the
other.
II is Gods will that on the Sabbath should lay
aside common cares and listen to the instruc-
ons of the pulpit AS this day returns 1t recalls to
rs the greatest things belonging To our lives and
which We are continually disrcgarding. Mon have
such intense cares that they urgently need this
rcposc. Think of the mental condition OF large
number OF men ON Friday last in Wall street. when
stocks in few minutes dropping three or four
per cent and destruction and ruin stared many peo-
pie In the face Men who active in the world OF
business require this day of rest when their minds
shall be steadiod and their judgments balanced. l
have noticed tho sharp tricks played by the horse
cur companies i'll trying to prevent the dishonesty
of their employees who collect tho fares. II these
work fifteen hours u day and seven days in
the week. and robbed OF tho instruction and in
nucncc OF the sabbath, do not wonder II they say,
diamond cut diamond" Release these men, say;
put tho restraint of honesty into their souls Give
them the rest and Improvement OF the Sabbath.
Give yourselves up to the habit of tho daily read
Ing of the Scriptures. Tho great pressure of bust
ness that s upon 80 many, and the great multiplied
ton of extremely good books which address them