New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-23
"NO ROOM IN THE NM"
THE REV CHARLES TOwNSENDS ELO-
QUENT PICTURE OF THE FIRST
CHRISTMAS.

THE PROPHECIES FULFILLED AND A GRAND LES
son TAUGHT TO MAN BY THE sAvIoURs
LowLY NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CONSISTS IN
GIVING NOT IN RECEIVING
The Rev Charles Townsend. pastor OF the First
Presbyterian Church. of Orange. preached in
teresting sermon of timely application yesterday.
His from Luke II, q: There room
for them in the inn" He said in part:
No room! The inn was full Bethlehem was
word spoken in Rome by the arrogant and
ambitious Emperor, and that word set in motion
census" But for its u,terance. Christ had been
born in ana b the prophecy of Micah would
Joseph was of the house and lineage of David,
arrived at Bethlehem after a tiresome journey.
but SO great was the coniux of people that there
filed. mark you with knsmen of the Lord; filed
with those who, like Joseph and Mary. were of the
wealthy powerful. learned far beyond the humolc
carpenter and his espoused wife. There is nothing
between poor and rich relatives But the inn is full
fun of our Lords relatves.yes the very inn which,
conducted Ruth. and in which Samuel anoned
David
am not sure but that word was passed that
something more than womanhood was without
seeking shelter that II was maternity that was ask
Ing for protection that bitter night: that II was
maternity. taxed by an unseemly journey. and ask
Ing. longing for a resting-pace and covert But
the maternity OF whom? On.y OF Mary the es-
poused wife Of Joseph. and it makes no appeal TO
the inmates, save but to command their bitterness
ness. The is full" Yes full for Joseph
and Mary. Let them stay without. In the cattle
shed? Yes, there or anywhere, but not in here
with thu us -. ,oo. forward ,,,r,, wars and coo
man OF obscure beginning becomes great like
Of men in after Years proud to say Marx You.
| knew this hero when he was mere lad: We were
our fathers neighbors" so, perhaps, at
the wedding In Cana OF Gallilee. when the guests
the best wine. some one Will say, Why. sir. that
man is distantly related to mel was down there
in the cattle sheds" Or. perhaps the rocky
plateau north of Caperneum. where thousands and
loaves, some proud man might have said to com
panion Il had the honor of being near that man
when ne was born. / was coming down TO get my
name the census list. and Joseph and his es-
poused wife came along and we all put up at the
there. that very night
How singular that the very first thing said con-
bitter, hard cruel life. There was no room for
and Christ sought to enter into those lives. but
Pharisees busy with ceremonial observances There
was no room for Him He came to the learned
ings, and and better revelation but they
had their Talmud--"There no room for Him. :,
Room for others. but room for Him. The rich
Jew, the proud Pharisee. the naughty priest will
not be turned away by any Jew but There was was
world of ours Is not human nature sketched and
drawn out here with a single vivid living sketch
Oh, friends this blessed Chrstmastide let US all
become more hospitable. Let find more room
in hearts and affections for the things that
pertain the Blessed Saviour. May We say, This
world of mine Is full Of cares. yet there is room.
| nightly encompassed by duties, and the de-
mands of life OF society. Of bread winning are as
the sands of the for multitude, yet there Is
ROOM.
And what is an inn. after all? 1t is type. Of
the shifting, the uncertain, the transitory. Men
come to it, but they stay not. 1t is not home:
And to abide there. to seem permanent amid the
imperma hence is a kind of Bedounism ped by all
who know true home. But more than this. The
inn is not only the type OF the shifting, but also
of the mercenary and there is no room in 1t for
Christ. because the two are Incompatible There Is
kindness the inn. there is food shelter and pro-
lection there. but these all purchased with a
well-flled purse. and with nothing you are cast
out and the genial host turns into a hooking
scorner
The things that pertain to Jesus. whether from
Him Him, must be and are out OF harmony
with all ideas of equality in values. They are not
purchasable. once a man tried 10 purchase dis
cipleship for silver. but ii not a salable thing.
Discpleship is clear look at Christ through the
crystal plate of love. Back II up with silver and
the self. The who says: "Ill give my money;
but I'll give ii right here at home, where can
get some benefit of it,: the man who forgives
only when the other man forgves first; the man
who serves God hoping that God viii remember II
and float IL back to him some other day-no room
for Christ in such an nm Christianity Is not
How much can | GET but How much can ]
give?" Make this the of the present Christ
week and II Will he thrice blessed TO you