New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-09-13
ApPREuENOEp OF CHRIST

Il y. r. 4.
Cf he COrtuak
The opening services of the Presbyterian
Clurch of he Covenant at Prkaye ani Thirty hh-st.
were held yesterday morning. Ihe rev d. Marvin H.
Vincent pastor OF the church preached TO large con-
grega ion on the theme "Apprch,n ed Of Chris" Tho
text was from Philippians. nj. ~ "Not rs though !
had already attained. either arcgdv perfect ont
follow after, # hat may appreheud that for which also
l am apprcbcud'd OF Chrl.t Jesus"
Paul had been telling. said the preacher what great
things H. had thrown away Tor Christ sake. All tue
honors and rewards which pure Wis descent ana hae
Ity To- the Jewish Jaw could merit. easily wi,hn
his grasp. Tie knowledge Of Christ was to him true
cxcecncy Nut, Leaf hl. angllg, should DE Construed
= boast OF MS Christian proficiency. he add not n,
II had already atalned 10 not peak 2. one WHO Is
pesiect on!y "a ono who - pursuing these with
all bis might follow after. that may attain them"
Paul thus becomes Illustration " great truth Of
Christian life, namely, Christian enthusiasm. Tlt idea
cmb)d in the figure he uses, that OF bcu crashed Dy
another, and beng moved in the direction Of another's
WILL is nor unfamiliar. All Of arr Iha suojrcts OF
superior energy. We all have our enihusit.fn.
and are mastered los tncm.
Now, the practical, reasoning world SAYS FL.
thus1sin the being sraspcd aud possessed, IS tung
which must be accepted AID treated very can.
ously 1t is not Il good thing for "A man
to he carried awag by anything" T. admins
that enthusia-m - ~ wer, that successful nu
dead III earnest; but It insists tEat he man m.ef
suffered 10 carry hn, bdt he mus always nave ths clrb
In as mouth and the rem in MS own h.nds And as re
garts all mere natural enthusiasm the world r-n
In question between natural reason auI natural NM
Pusr SeirsuIrender is dange Bu self ,urrenrs
the very first demand OF the GOSPEL Fac t,o>up
does not Ignore nght reason; but f. transfers inc
guidance or tne lie nom mans reason d (1uts
1t apprars th"t there Is very radical G,rcncr Uoh
IN nature ana results, between Christian and u r., maj
uGal Enthusiasm Tie Inter divides society as mucn H.,
IL uhltes H. Mnen nation Is Iuaoe 0y patriotism
u only forms larger ut, opposed to other uult
Formed ny contrary EN- hlsttsm. That Germany
one IN resistance oniy proved tnat France was one IN
attack. LOOK at the parties IN polucs The very en-
thulaSm or each Or lis pc ulia. platform Is the main
agent OF DIVISION ana strife. You answer that Christian
lty also has thus FAR IA eI % unite the world know
H. You say iglOus differences as pronounced -
amy Others. | know 1t. But remember, I'm the Gr.i
place, that am not speaking OF .uOgts or cfcel, ar
church politics. These things or human origin r,.
contain IN themselves TIE seeds OF division sneak ~
The per'Onai Christ and OF the sentiment O love H. N m
know lie has not yea grasped the world The world IN
yet far from bcns animated with common cnthnsls
fOr IL IN.
But claim that the Gospel furnishes toe only uo.ai,
cenrc Tor universal enthusiasm. Difference. n ,nci,l
eOn, OF culture, or OF nations do rot stand I'm ~.
way. He engages 10 meet and satisfy the icen ,ects
common 10 all nen. liz says he not oniy can hut MI.
uuite men IN tins devotion TO Himself Krr..ni,,,,,
iese facts we need not oar Co give our.c.y,. ~ NOD, -
the enthusiasm which Clrst's grasp inspires We tno,
VINO grasps Us, and tlHl HIS grasp Is ony ,lr.Ntue ~
nearer ana nCArcr to lin. -"