The Portland daily press., 1885-11-26
THE DIVINE ORIGIN OF CHRIS
TIANITY.
Rev. Mr.. BIanchard's Fourth Lee
ture.

The Rev. Henry Blanchard delivered the fourth
lecture of his course on Tuesday evening in the
vestry of the Congress square church. The sub
ject was The New Conception of Mans Duty to-
wards God in Worship"
Beginning with reference to the preceding
lectures, the speaker said that Christ's new con-
ception was this-Man shall worship God who is
spirit, in spirit and in truth In other words man
must worship inwardly, and not outwardy, and in
accordance with the true nature of God. Sitting
by the well in Samaria and talking with the wO-
man there, He made His sublime declaration
"God is spirit, and they that worship Him must
worship Him in spirit and in truth"
Ernest Remain says this is the highest word
which has been uttered concerning religion. "His
idea is the foundation upon which shall rest the
everlasting religion" To make clear this truth
was the aim of the lecture. Worship is natural to
man. History shows man everywhere paying
homage to the Gods AS we study we see that all
other religions, anterior to Christ, are character
lied by two things-the making special places
Sacred-the demanding sacrifices OF products OF
EARTH or animals. or human beings. Temples,
grottos. groves, affairs are the places where wor-
ship may alone be offered Egypt lndla, Greece
Italy illustrates the fact Even Greece and Rome
demanded human sacrifices. ThemlStocleS was
forced by priest to put to death three beautiful
Persian prisoners to win the favor OF the gods.
Julius Caesar ordered human sacrifices Angus
tus Inundated four hundred senators and knights.
Carthage had metallic statue of Chronos hold
ing outStretched hands to receive the Offering OF
children. The statue was heated till it glowed.
Mothers put their children in its hands. and saw
them burn and drop into gulf of fire beneath.
Christ changed all this. Every place was sacred,
since God as spirit, was everywhere. Neither
fruits nor grains nor animals nor human beings
could be given in place of spiritual homage sac
rifces ceased The world owes this cessation to
Christ Let those who pirate about progress and
denounce Christianity learn the facts OF history.
Let them try to measure the greatness OF the
change when animal and human sacrifices were
abolished under the influence of Christs idea OF
worship.
Mr. Blanchard then dwelt at length upon the
Joy produced by the new idea in the hearts OF the
worshppers and its expansion IN music, hymns,
creeds and liturgieS. Ancient music was very
inspiration to the new joy in those who worship
ped God as Father and Eternal Spirit. The Am
brosian and Gregorian chant-the later music OF
Roman and Anglican churches-are all indebted
to Christ So new hymnology arose-reVefent,
truthful Joyous. Even creeds were sung. The
s'Apostles' and the "Miene" show how men wish
ed to be true in expression of their belief.
Mr. Blanchard then considered the three I'M
portant points-Christ displaclng outward sacrl-
fices Instituted the sacrifice OF the lower TO me
men into loving union, and delivers nom a mean,
narrow individualism morality becomes Identified
with religion. .,. ! -.
Abundant illustrations were introduced oprove
these historic effects of Christs new conception OF
When we see therefore, what Christianity has
already done despite of all our Impotence, and
frv 10 see what it will do in the future, we may
we'll feel that such doctrine, having III II the
mower of redemption has indeed come from Goa.
The next lecture, on "The New Conception of
Man,s Duty TO Man, in Politics and Society,"" VIII
he giyen on Tuesday, Dec. g.