Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-12-27
PEACE ON EARTH.
TWO NOTIBLE CHRISTMAS SERMONS
YESTERDAY.
Bishop Foss of the Methodist Church on
the Lessons of the Day-A Similar Topic
the Theme of Rev. DIR. Dana at Plymouth
Church.
4 Christmas Sermon By Bishop Eoss.

day morning at the First Methodist church
to listen TO an eloquent sermon by the
resident Methodist bishop, RI Rev. C. D.
FoSs. Bishop Foss is not diocesan bish-
op, but has concurrent jurisdiction
throughout the denomination although
his permanent residence is in Minnesota
The opening service was under charge of
the pastor, Rev. Samuel G. Smith After
the usual preliminary exercises, the
reverend Bishop delivered an unusually
elaborate sermon, of which the following
is an abstract: He announced as his text
Luke. ea.H:14, ''Glory to God in the highest,
and on earthpeace, goodwill toward men -
Notwithstanding nearly two thousand
years have passed, the thoughts of large
portion of the world is to-day turned
toward an obscure event which occurred
in Palestine. That event was the birth
of the first born son of an humble virgin
This child was not born in a palace; not
even in a comfortable cottage, but
in stable; ''For there was no
room for them in the inn.'' We cele-
brate this event to-day, not because he
was born at this season of the year, in
deed we are quitessure he was not, for in
the climate of Palestine the shepherds
would not watch their f1ocks by night in
mid-winter In the early celebration of
this event Christmas was movable feast
IN April or May, but for some fourteen
centuries it has been held on the 25th of
December. Indeed it is now quite Ger
tain that we do not reckon rightly in the
number of the years, but this is probably
the eighteen hundred and eighty fourth
birthday of Jesus. This may be
gracious arrangement of
providence whereby we may learn that
God teaches the world, not by exact fast
days and ceremonial institutions, but by
living truths and principles
But though this obscurity surrounds
the birth of our Lord, yet it was not un-
attended by important and dramatic
events. The angels for four thousand
years had been interested in this world
They had often come hither with mes
Sages from an offendedGod to his rebellious
subjects, and when they found the seat
of the second person in the blessed trim
ity vacan, they doubted not but he had
gone to this world So the hosts of God
hurried forth; and one outspeeding the
rest appeared to the wondering shepherds
of Bethlehem and sung, for do not doubt
those words were set to music, Fear not,
for behold, [ bring you good tidings of
great Joy, which shall be to all people,
for unto you is born this day in the city of
David Savior, which is Christ the Lord -
And then the hosts of God, who filled the
air, sang, 'Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, good will toward
men," What an announcement was that
Peace on earth, where sin and war and
deSolation had 50 long abounded, and
good will toward men.
The expression Gin the highest may
refer to the highest degree or in the
highest places, but the thought would re-
main about the same. The leading
thought of this hour will be that God
displays his topmost glory in the redemp-
ton of the world. Before we proceed to
It's direct discussion it may be well to ask,
what is the glory of God? We may
learn something by analogy, and so let
us ask what is the glory of man Is it
the glory of a man if he inherit
for by accident an idiot NAV
do that. But is it the glory of man to
honestly amass in business q half million
of dollars while he exercises broad and
noble charity? Yes; for that indicates
prudence and power.
Is it the glory of a man if without
special knowledge he sweeps the heavens
with a telescope, and by chance discovers
a new planet? No. But when Leverrier
without telescope discovered Neptune
by his profound mathematical caIcula-
ton, that reflected glory upon him. But
man is always greater than his
achievements. Paradise Lost is
great but Milton was
greater. Glory then in its real sense re-
sides in character, and, therefore, we may
conclude that the most complete revela-
ton of God is his highest glory
We might argue that the existence of
one supreme, perfect, and personal God
is only known through Jesus Christ. True,
other nations had their ideas of some su-
perior beings, but they did not reach this
conception. "No man hath seen-that is
known-God at any time, the only be-
gotten son who dwelleth in the bosom of
the Father, he hath declared him.
l am not unmindful of the
fact that a large idea of the
power of God may be seen in creation.
Consider single grain of sand in its
weight and hardness and density. Chem
istry can neither create nor destroy a sim
gle atom of matter. Then consider the
upbuilding of this vast globe, and then
of the infinite host of worlds and we
gather some idea of the power of God
Add to this conception the mystery of
life as it manifests itself in the vegetable
forms of this earth. Then consider all
the marvels of sentient life in the multi
form activities of the animal kingdom
and we learn large lesson of power
But the power of God may best be seen
in redemption. That he held back the
forces of his nature when the claims of
his moral nature demanded the punish
ment of sin reveals in wonderful way
his power. Power may be shown in-self-
control. Again, it requires more power
to save than to destroy.
An incendiary may in a moment fire
palace that it has taken generations to
build. A vandal hand may at a stroke
destroy creation of art which required
the genius of Raphael or Michael
Angelo to create. So God might destroy
the world by fire, as geology indicates,
but to save the world is higher exercise
of power.
God shows also his holiness in the gift
of Jesus Christ Though he could not
behold iniquity with any degree of allow
ance; yet he gave his son that man might
be redeemed and yet the moral character
of his government be vindicated
He manifests his wisdom in redemp-
lion In ,TpS1ls wore hid all tho trnocrroc