New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-02

THE REV. c. W. MILLARD.
when he nineteen years old and was admitted
to the New-Yorll Conference in 1867. Five years
ago he elected secretary Of the Conference, an
Office he still holds. lie is also the editor Of the
minutes of the Conference Last night his text was
The kingdom of heaven is at hand Matt. X, o.
The following is an abstract of the sermon;
1t is the peculiar glory Of the Jew that looking back
through the centuries OF his nations history ne can
discern clearly defined and long continued theOcT3cy
For hundreds OF years the Hebrew recognized no KING.
When at last thrones appeared their occupants were
faithfully and sometimes very sternly reminded that
they could claim no right to rule except as Representa-
people an ideal divine Kingdom. The most buoyant
anticipatons were encouraged by the most glowing
descriptions OF the lIessiah's rein Daniel says;
in the night visions, and behold there came with
the clouds Of heaven like unto the son OF man. ana
he to the Ancient of days and they brought
him near before him. And there was given him
dominion and glory and a Kingdom, that all people
nations and languages should serve him his dominion
and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed"
DREAMS OF \ COMING KINGDOM.
Such prophecies inspired the splendid hcroism OF
the Maccabean perod-a herosm. alas followed by the
madness of faction and political overthrow. still the
fires of hope were relit in patriot hearts by the
prophecies. Men looked to the heavens for dellvernce
and fOndIy cherished the dream OF coming kingdom
God II this conviction burned into the National
consciousness that gave the PhariSees such power with
the people. Hence 10 not much surprise as ue
light which thrilled the hearts Of eager eXpectant
nation when the voice Of the herald prophet was heard
In the wilderness crying out; Repent ye; Tor the
kindOm of heaven is at hand" How lrreslstlbly
pathetic are the passionate ongnss which drove those
mulutudes into the valley Of the Jordan "Al mel
reasoned in their hearts concerning John whether
haply,' ave, happy! " he were the Christ Evea
soldiers on service. Romans, IhrdClanS, Germans
Cets. carried away by the enthusiasm OF the hour
At last the Christ came Ills voice too is heard say,
hand" Months pass away and the apostles are
called and commissioned in the words OF our text
az hand" Presently the tide of enthusiasm recedng
The Pharsces, sclfconstuted guardians OF the Nations
Word to them is The law and the prophets were
until John from that time the gospel of the kingdom
Now what does the Master mean by the use of the
expression kingdom of heaven and other inter
phors Far from IT, They designate not a make
believe kingdom but what we might almost be just
fed in calling the only real kingdom I'm history The
kingdom of God is sublime historic reality. Christ
declares explicitly That lie is King. The initial
achievement Of Christianity is The founding by Christ
of the kingdom Of God lie came with the overture OF
grace for revotc1 humanity: lie VIII win hearts liz
will also quo revolt. His Atonement will, indeed.
reveal the love of the Eternal Father; bur It viii
exalt the authority Of the Eternal King How init
mate the connection between the suffering and The
about that tragic lifting up? At the same time lie
calvary lie tells Plate about Ills Kingdom. After
His resurrection He spoke OF His suTcrings and His
Kingdom. lie preached the Gospel but it was the
Gospel Of the kingdom lie gives the code Of the
new kingdom I'm the sermon on the Mount. lie re-
quires frank; oItsPokcn confession Of LOYALTY rs
thirteenth chapter OF Matthew's Manual OF the King
dom.
THE MIGHTY INVISIBLE FORCE At WORK.
As in all other kingdoms the mlghtest force is
invisible Real kingdoms are ideas, sentiments,
thoughts, truths No one ever saw a government.
Naves, armies, material spendOrs do not make the
British Empire. There IS an invisible something
which gives the nation It's individuality. its might,
its claim on the loyalty Of the many millions. What
was it dominated the magnificent genius of sherman
Patriotism. What eye Of flesh ever saw il, What
microscope or testtube ever discovered It. Did he
dedicate his sword to hills and fields, to house-waS
and gold mines or TO any visible thng whatsoever!
Was II figured bunting that made Boys In Blue
I'll the chasms of war with their c0nsecrated bodies
Their virtues OF courage and sacrifice shine like stars
on the brow Of that black night because the glorious
banners that marshallcd them were empowered by
the might OF ideas OF liberty and the Republic invS-
ible realities OF such priceless yaus rs to Justify and
Sanctify the costiest offerings OF blood and treasure
In the presence OF the transcendent glory of Chrlsts
Kingdom cur eyes arc holden. Eye hath not seen nor
ear heard. If We patriots the Republic is In US.
The kingdom OF God cometh not with observation
neither shall they say Lo, here or there for -
the kingdom OF God is within YOU" Every one that is
Of the truth heareth my voice. nermost truth faith
love- they are invisb guides but they lead sraight to
Romes doomed empire that lie was King lie added
those memorable words "To this end have I been
born. and TO this end have into the world that
mission throughout the ages should 30 that of witness
ing to the truth. When, just before His ascension, lie
the Holy Ghost lie tells them that within a few
days they too, shall receive power TO be witnesses 10
tho truth No wonder that Peter broke the hearts Of
the vast multitude he talked OF the enthroncd Christ
No wonder that Philip stirred samarla its depths by
the Gospel OF the Kingdom. No wonder the glowing
theme iradaed all the powers Of the great Apostle TO
the Gentes. They nearly murdered him at Lystra but
he back again to tell them about the Kingdom Of
God. lie gives thanks With the Colossians to the
Father who delivered out Of the power OF darkness
love- In Rome he tcstl6es Of the Kingdom from
morning till evening Aye, afterward In that very
Rome he pens his last words before he goes TO re
ceve his crown through martyrdom and charges
Timothy TO be faithful by the appearing and Kingdom
The first Napoleon knew how to WELD tremendous
power over men, aud experimental great deal In
Der that he said In defiance Of time and space the
soul Of man, with all its powers and faculties, becomes
an annexation TO the empire OF Christ All VINO
sincerely believe In Him, experience that remarkable
supernatural love toward Him. Time, the great de-
stTOyer, IS pOweIiess TO eNtngush this sacred iame
time can neither exhaust It's strength put limit
10 It's range" The gifted Jean Paul Richter said that
Christ. being the hOllest among the mighty and the
migtiest among the holy, has lifted with Ills pierced
hand empires of their hinges has turned TIE stream OF
of its channel and stu governs the ages
Daniels vision IS coming more and more into reality.
Tic fifth empire IS here
1t is well 10 emphasize certain legitimate infer
ences. The origin Of Christianity Is not 10 be ex-
planned by any theory Of evolution; Christianity y
neither the product discovery OF hlman ingenuity;
However attractive however plausible the theory OI
evolution however correct It may be within certain
sstemt rational theory Of the origin Of Christianity.
ise myhc theory was too volatile and evaporatd in
has Involved absurdity and has utterly failed to
nresent here as IN some other places the missing
iInkS Christ said " My Kingdom is not Of q. e. from,
out OF this world. II My kingdom were from this
world then would my servants fight that should not
lac delivered 20 the Jews: but Is Ny kingdom. not
from hence" II did not spring from animal instincts
savage ignorance unregenerate passion Tic dis
tingsed inventor 81 the ghost theory thinks he has
found key 10 unlock every mystery Of religion. lie
e. very evidently the dupe of bias. IL Is astonishing
i,ov even the acutest inellccts become the victims
of inability 10 sec anything more than they want to
see Max Muller has given las two amusing illustra-
tons OF this In Darwlns mistake concerning the Terra
del Fuegans aud In Niebuhrs ludcrous eonfouDdng OF
Moe with @pal away" Nineteen centuries Of storm
and calm have passed away since Christ established