Morning journal and courier., 1890-09-22
POWER OF THE HEART.


Rev. DR.. Melville b. Chapman Dis
cusses the Potency of Feeling I'm
Human A Acknowledgements of the
Hearts Scope a Necessary Factor OF
Civilization and Christia nifty.
Rev. Dr. Melville B. Chapman preached
mastery sermon upon the potency OF the
human heart in human affairs ct the First
NJ. E. church yesterday morning. de chose
his text from Psalms, cxix, ~: Il Will run
the way of thy commandments when thou
shalt enlarge my heart"
The psalmist believed that il religion
was anything to man it ought to be
everything, said DR.. Chapman. He was
weary of walking in the way of Gods COM
mandments and he wanted to run. II l
am not mistaken, there are many Chris
tians now who are likewise not satisfied
with their Christian life. want to speak
especially to those who are trying to do
their duty as Christians, but who are not
running, jubilant Christians. With them,
while prayer is perhaps constant, 1t does
not gladden. and refresh their hearts. Ihey
may long to get into the swing and stride
of Christian conquest, but have been cast
down by misfortunes They are wearied
with walking; they want to run.
In the first place, this clear headed quick
witted psalmist knew perfectly well what
was the trouble with him. The reason
why he could not run was because his
heart was too small for the world ALI his
failure had been heart failure and IT he
was to do more there must be an enlarge
| ment of the heart. His necessities were
not cerebral but cardiac
In the second place, this conclusion OF
| the psalmist indicates that he was as phil
| osophical as he was practical. Thought
| has no power unless it is fused by feeling.
knowledge is the to ! of power, not power
| itself. It is the merest intellectual lumber
until you get heart beat into it. ANY
thing is well done only as it is heartily
done. The enthusiast in any line oil
endeavor is the man to whom the
world is giving away 1t is the enginery
of the heart that is driving the world to
day. Resolutions are simply the eruption
of human feeling. 1t is the passion fol
perfection that is driving man TOWARD
civilization, and so this unknown psalms
was as philosophic as practical when h
said if he was to reach higher plane hi
heart must be reinforced. Religion to hin
was something more than correct cerebra
ton; it was right feeling. What he wanted
was not more machinery, but more power
In the third place, this sensible psalms
knew not only what was needed, blu
whence help must come. For in
stance, we have a wonderful faith il
organization. 1t is one of the features @
our time. Are we not becoming more i'm
mersed in church questions and routin
than we Dire with soul and bodys Anothe
favorite method with us is the stress O
personal resolve. But stress of will is n
match for stress of evil. When the heal
is touched, and enlarged by the love G
Christ, virtue becomes enthusiasm an
goodness automatic.
In the fourth place, we al
not told what the psalmist did to realiz
his desire, but we may be sure h
was as sensible in this as i
ephemeral experience. He knew in til
administration of God nothing comes b
chance. Everything is governed by Law
by cause and effect. A human heart
never enlarged by magic. Associate wit
a man who is generous, kindly, symp'
thetic and you cannot help becoming IS,
Associate with a strong will and you cal
not help becoming of tho same qualit.
, Comply with the conditions and the effec
must be the same. 1t oonnet be othe
wise.
Five minutes association with Jes,
, Christ will put a new face upon the who
J day. I could tell you many effects of tn
! association with Jesus Christ, but I'll
theme is long and the minutes short.
; will tell you of it next Sunday morning
If every one of you will have few m,
ments association with your Saviour eac
day, his presence will be gradually g,
larged in your heart and you will find
> new joy in his spirit. Then would OF
Tuesday evening prayer meetings be Ell
larged and vast more of hearts would !
rolling nearer and nearer to the divi1
rock of salvation.