Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1892-09-05
HOW 70 MAKE A CITY HAPPY.

Features Of a Discourse Yesterday by
Rev. Mr.. Squires at the Church OF
the Messiah-The Worlds Hope.
Rev. Mr.. Squires at the Church of the
Messiah yesterday preached from Acts 8,
9th and 9Th, on the topic Chow to make
Happy City" The words of the text:
"And the multitudes with one accord gave
heed unto the things that were spoken by Philip
S Sids" they heard and saw the signs "n''n ne
'And there was great joy in that city,
After very interesting introduction
in which reference was made to how city
is made happy by material benefits and
public accommodations; by public foun-
tains and public parks, attractive build
ings, public libraries, by the introduction,
as in New Haven recently of electric street
cars, by new inventions that benefit all,
the pastor spoke of the paramount service
of true happiness, the faith in rison re-
deemer which had made so happy the city
spoken of in the text. Proceeding he
pictured the scene and times in the days
of the apostles, when the people of Sychar
in Samaria were made joyous by the
brightness and hope of the new faith.
Proceeding he said:
But the question may arise what is there
in this that can have anything to do With
making our city happy2
Precisely the same thing is as good for
our modern cities to-day as it was in Sa-
| maria. The preaching of living Christ
instead of crucifed Christ, of eternal
life brought to light instead of promise i
hereafter, Of present salvation from sea-
sickness and dieease rather than an atom
| ing sacrifice to save from hyp othetical
hell in another world, of the kingdom of
God established here on the earth-these
are the gospsl of good news which would
come as an animating and inspiring vision
| to sick and suffering multitudes. The
| trouble Is the disciples of the Master are
not preaching the simple good news of
Philip, but the dry husks of nan-mede
theologies, dogmes of deprav:ty and de-
SPAR, hard life for righteousness and a
dom, a successful devil and endless wee.
1t is no wonder that the modern city is not
particularly glad at the event of the aver
age preacher. The world has become toe
accustomed to think of them as the preach.
ers of 'bad news"
| And another sad mistake in this connec
ton is that the church has been preaching
cruoi6ed Christ instead of a living, pres
emit Christ, and has located his salvation
in another world instead of showing it al
positive, real power for the healing of af
f1icted humanity.
In false notions about ''sacred" anc
"profane" things the church has disarmed
itself of it's mightiest weapons. The worlt
is full of sweet, Itch and beautiful things
but how little has the church allied itsel
with them!
Human history is warm with the milk O
human kindness flowing down the ages
but how little of it has received the credi
of being Christian! The moralities hav
stood out conspicuous, strong and health
full in the great-souled men and women o
every race and land. Yet how often ha
the church counted it all as mere dross an,
cast it away in the name of Chi at as de
fusion and a snare! Is it any wonder tina
with the kind of gospel thus presented
and with religion thus divorced from nue.
that is best in human life, the world ehoul
seem to find it's enjoyment in other thing
than Christ and his lifes
But the truth is, the reel life and wor
of Christ are going on to-day just as 81
miracles, if you will, still att ,st the divin
power. The blind are having their eye
opened; the dumb are being taught t
| speak and the deaf to hear, as at the WHY
| pie home in Mystic. The lame are bein
cured by thousands and in many ways a
over the land. Disordered minds are be
; | ing restored and the devil cast out G
thousands in school, and church, and asy
} | lum, and reformat Dry.
All, you say, but this is only ordinar
} secular work. say it is divine work
When wise and skilful surgeon remove
: a cataract and gives sight to tho blind it
} | the same to the blind one as though ma
} named Jesus should spit on the ground an
rub the clay on his eyes and give him sigh
| that way. It makes no difference to a lam
man whether he is cured by the power G
Jesus at the pool of Bethesda, or by til
prayers of a Dr.. Coils in Boston, or th
. magnetism of DR.. Damon in New Have1
or by the wisdom of physical
through the drug store, if only b
;, is equally well cured. It is all tt
@ power or gift of God, and all these, drug
stores, doctors, prayers, even the pc
sonality of Jesus, are but the NEAR
:, through which the divine power operate
r | upon men.
I love to read in modern city life "signs
. of the divine power working among mel
The New York Herald with it's "free ice
o for the poor in the heated tename1
: houses; the Tribune with its "fresh a
= fund.-" the World with Its 'seaside no
| pital" The board of health employin
. science and money in guarding the cit
9 against the pestilence, defending the poo
9 est and meanest wretch in the city fro
the encroachment of dangerous diseas
), and promptly caring for them if stricken
The thousands of sanitary, curative, educ
q tional, reformatory. beneicent agencies
Is | work, not to speak of all the consecrate
= Christ filed men and women who 20 abo,
doing good. These are to me the sigr
and wonders which attest the power
t God in modern life. And it is thei
D things which the people heed, and whic
! bring great joy to our city. So would y
make our city happy let us proclaim
9 it this Gospel Of a healing and helpin
ministry, loving human brotherhood, q
;. uplifting humanity, and present all thes
, things as the fruits of the living Chris
, Count everything sacred that hel ps ma,
Find the divine touch in all our commo
: daily life. And find all things sweet an
good, and joyous and helpful together
loving unity as a testimony of Him VII
9 came that We might have life and have
more abundantly. When tho world hs
caught this vision of the living Christ an
his wonder working among men wh
= doubt that the multitudes Will give hee
= with one accord and that there will be gre,
r Joy in the city.