The record-union., 1892-11-14
BEACON LIGHTS IN HISTORY. +"
The Place Of the Prophet in the Life
of the World.
Synopsis OF Sermon Preached Yes
terday at Pythian Hall by
Rev. Mr.. Horner.

reviewed the scientific method of ascer-
tainIng truth, and said that it was fast
becoming the universal method by en-
tering every field of human thought.
Religion, he said, was mans effort to
live in harmony with God. The express
sion of this effort is written in the history
of the world. 1t has written Bibles,
creeds and covenants; built affairs, tenn
pies and tombs; created institutions that
have reached out to shelter as well as to
enslave the world.
On its divine side it blossoms out into
all the attributes Of love, joy, peace, long
suffering, geutleness and humility.
In the expression of its human side, as
seen in its history, it is subject to the
scientific method.
On the side OF the spirit it is above and
beyond all science. Science, when APP
piled TO its history, nearly clears the
ground and tills the soul in which the
flowers of the soul grow; and having
done that 1t is all it can do. The method
applied to tho Bible is called in science
The Higher Criticism" This method,
like reslstless tide, having once washed
the shores OF religions dogma, Will not
retreat until all that is false shall have
Deen washed away. All that is true, all
that is essential and eternal, will remain
to I'LL the world with the beauty OF holi-
neSs. Science never originates
anything. 1t simply works upon material
at hand. Evolution can no doubt ac-
count for the prophet in the life CT the
world; 1or the fact OF his coming into eX-
lstence here and there, but not for his
power after he comes.
l believe, he said, it is possible to ac-
count 1or Jesus by a careful scientific
study of the forces at work i'll the life OF
the Hebrew nation previous to his APP
pearance. But that does not account for
the power OF his personality alter his APP
pearance. Trace the conditions and know
all tile facts that may prepare the way
for genius, and l am with you delighting
i'll the study; but at the end we stand
amazed, as the genius, inspired by what
he feels within his soul, is driven to throw
himself against the conservatism of the
world and proclaim his THUS sayeth the
Lord"
Ghe process of making the genius is,
after all, Gods process. We have simply
discovered that God works by an or
derby method, instead of by miracle and
wonder. The great mystery back Of the
process still remains inscrutable Her
bert Spencer calls it "the unknowable1;
Matthew Arnold, that power not our
selves which makes for righteousness:
we cali it God.
Now | glory in the spirit OF the age,
and would not stem the tide Of criticism
though it pause not even upon the thresh-
old Of eternity. For myself l prefer to
be at the very front, amid the turmoil of
minds in commotiOn, anxious always to
tear away the false and the base: vet |
would not forget, nor would [ have you
forget, that there are some things in the
life of the world that have not been
moved.
God not only has spoken in the past,
but does now speak directly to the hu-
man soul. Place yourself, or be placed
by circumstances in the attitude of COM
munion and God will come in and dwell
with you. His voice in your soul will
compel you to assume the prophets role
and proclaim the truth as you see il in the
world about you and as you feel it from
within you.
Before speaking particularly upon this
subject, | wish to ask your attention for
few moments to a philosophy Of life
which is coming to prevail very largely
at the present time-the philosophy of
UtilItarianism.
1t grows out of the scientific method,
with the spiritual side of life omitted or
forgotten. 1t teaches that man does what
he does in this world for his own best in
terests; for his own happiness. The popu-
larity of this philosophy is shown by the
sale of over 10000 complete sets of Her.
bert Spencer's works in the United States.
The great merit OF the system is that it is
founded upon facts; facts of the worlds
everyday experience. It's ideals are not
beyond the attainment Of every man,
woman or child. 1t makes morality a
practical affair and appeals to the common
sense of mankind. 1t says: "Be good
and you will be happy. If you will not,
well, you will suffer. and perhaps others
| ffa1-x n
your duty to be good, because happiness
for yourself and for others can only come
through goodness. Happiness is the end
of all effort, the chief end of life,"
All very gOod-as far as it goes, But
the trouble is it does not go far enough.
The deep things of the soul are over
looked. Fortunately the world does not
development. The prophets voice has
always called men away from their own
pleasures to self-sacritice for the good of
all.
In the providence of God he has sent
men into the world who came filled with
the consciousness that God was speaking
through them in order that the world
might have life and have it more abund-
antly."
The prophet is conscious that the mes
sage he brings will not be welcomed by
the great majority of men, but being a
man himself he is conscious that all men
haYe the capacity to see life in the light
that he sees it in if he can only awak en-
them to knowledge of the full import
of his message.
l cannot say that the prophets voice
promises more happiness or pleasure
than the world already enjoys. [ cannot
say that get more pleasure out of life
than the savage of South A africa, but do
feel conscious of enjoying higher order
of life than he enjoys. l cannot say that
st. Francis, st. Paul or Jesus were happy.
On the contrary, the higher the nature
the greater the contrast in the soul with
the existing order, and the moro sensi-
tive and loving the nature the greater the
suffering resulting from the KNOWLEDGE
of such contrast.
Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Why
should he? Why should he grieve over the
soul-poverty of a city that was satisfied
with itsel2 Why did not his sensitive
soul drive him into retirement among his
own Galilean hills, where he would be
surrounded by those that loved him:
where the sin and the sorrows of the
great city would not be impressed upon
him; where hypocrisy would not stand
upon the Street-corners making long
prayers?
Because he had felt the thrill of the
eternal nature in his soul: because his
spirits purity had been filled with Gods
love. Made thus conscious of his own
divine nature, he yearned with an infinite
yearning to reveal mans nature to men,
that they too might become sons of God,
Happy ne no doubt was in his youth.
Happy at times when in his wanderings
he communed with nature, and saw the
love of God painting the sunset, tinting
the petals of the wayside flower, or gently
rocking the birds to sleep among the
branches Of the trees. No doubt every
act of true devotion, every exhibition Of
faith, every deed of charity, thrilled him
with Joy as it expressed what he himself
would have done. But no sooner did he