New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-23
THE POST CONFERENCE.
Mr. MORGAN BEGINS HIS COURSE OF LECT-
URES AT NORTHFIELD

UREs AT NORTHFIELD.
East Northfed. Mass. Aug. % (SpeciaD.-The
Post Conference opened this morning with a large
attendance IN the Congregational Church. The
Rev G. Campbell Morgan began his course or
lectures upon THE Spirit of God" Mr.. Morgan
spoke again in the evening upon The Table Talk
Of Christ at the House of Matthew"
Irene Moody the four year old daughter of W.
r. Moody, and grandchd of d. l.. Moody, died
this morning after a lingering illness. Much SYM
pahy is felt here for the parents for this is the
second time this year they have been bereaved of
child.
The following is the substance OF Mr.. Morgan S
sermon tonight:
Christ was not merely public teacher, He was
prominently a man of the house and of the home:
lie touched social life and went at the invitation OF
various people 10 eat at their houses. 1t is a
noticeable fact that we have no record OF His
visiting the house of priest The gospel of Luke
propose TO take seven studies. In which shall
see the Master at the houses of various persons
and hear His table talk. Under such circumstances
there fell from His lips some of His most valued
| teaching. These were not drawing room meetings
with set addresses Christ as guest joined In the
ordinary conversation. and the light Of His wisdom
fell upon various matters suggested by those who
In this case, find Him at the house Of Mat
thew, who has made great feast and called to-
gether multitude Of his cOnfraternity. The ORR
entail house was ever open to the passing stranger,
who might observe the doings and listen to the
conversation such occasions. Some Pharisees
and Scrbes among the number criticised the action
of the disciples of Christ in sitting TO eat and drink
with Publcans. and subsequently contrasted the
freedom that these disciples seemed to have TO eat
and drink in comparison with their own ascetc
practices. The answers OF Christ were very re-
mdrkable.
Separation for fear of contamination is the law
Of life within which the Pharisees dwelt and II is
perfectly right that those who are I'm danger OF
contamination should live the life Of separation.
The Master nfeTs His Wilderness and claims
the power of purifying. His teaching is that purity
Is superior to contamination when 1t goes TO serve
men in love. In reply to the second part of their
question. He declares His presence among His
disciples creates their right TO the things from
which the Pharisees abstained The Master then
proceeds TO deeper teaching by way Of illustra-
tion Using the figure Of the garments and the fine
skins He contrasts Judaism with Christianity. and
teaches that Christianity cannot he put into Juda-
istc forms. The underlying truths. are first, that
Christianity is not religion that is either made
sustained by externas. and secondly that Christi
anity is an internal force which affects and con-
trolls the externals. The conversation is full of
light and power, revealing the intensity Of the
Masters purpose among men. AS Matthew spread
ms feast, let him tell the story of its ending.
This Will be found in the ninth chapter OF his
gospel and the eighteenth and the following verses
Jairus, stricken with grief seeks the Master, and
He at once arises and accompanies him: He will
go TO the feast, but the feast cannot hold Him
when pain and sorrow beckon Him forth.