The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1906-04-30

of Tenderness, HeIpfuInes sand That
GlOrifies Humanity.
The Rev. Theodore A. Fischer preach
ed fine discourse yesterday morning
before large and appreciative audi
ence. His theme was Divine Grace"
The text was st. Matthew, fifth chap
ter and forty-first verse: "And who
soever shall compel thee to go a mile,
go with him twain The chapter from
which the text was chosen was read
for the morning lesson. The pastor
said:
The idea underlying the precepts
found in this Sermon on the Mount is
that of love or grace.
Many Of the words are not to be
taken literally, but according to their
spiritual meaning, Jesus shows us two
dispensatlons, the Mosaic law and the
law of love. In olden times the Per-
slams had a method in the carrying of
messages of compelling men to go a
certain distance, and at the end of each
mans journey a new carrier would be
impressed to continue the task. What
is the real meaning of the verse of the
text? 1t is this: Do more than is
required. Go beyond the obligation.
That is the essential principle of grace.
Duty always asks, What must I do?'
Grace asks, What can l do?' The
gracious man is he who is carried along
by the spirit of benevolence. Love and
an entire willingness to do to the ut
most are his distinguishing character
istics. The true christian should be
filled with that spirit. He never asks
to have duties outlived, but sets out to
do all in his power. The merely moral
man lived up to the letter. The Chris
tian-the man who is born from heaven
goes beyond the legal requirements.
This grace which was so manifest and
beautiful as exemplified in the life of
Christ, is often invoked in the sacred
Scriptures Most of the epistles end
with a prayer for it's abiding fullness
in the hearts of all And so to-day
the minister petitions that the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all.
1t is needed by all. That gracious low
ing spirit 50 full of kindness and ten
derness and helpfulness. if diffused
throughout society, would wonderfully
change things, and new life, the heav-
emily life, would beautify and glorify this
present earthly abode. 1t would trans
form all life. Ill business circles it
would revolutionize things. But it
would not breathe war and threaten
ings.' It's mild and all-powerful sway
would be irresistible.
To-day there are feelings of dissatis
faction between employers and en-
ployes. But if the benefcent spirit of
grace and love were to enter the hearts
and consciences of men, all labor trou-
bes would be things of the past.
1.-THE employer then would strive to
assist and uplift his wormen, instead
of trying in a selfish way to get all
that is possible to get in the way Of
toll and labor out of them, as some
do. The employee would also change his
views and actions, under the influence
of this grace. And instead of distrust
/ and hatred there would be mutual
respect and friendship and love. And
in all departments of life, If grace
abounded, the effects would be magical
In politics it would work wonders, and
the reforms that would grow from its
benign influence would bring peace and
contentment to the race"
In conclusion, the speaker exhorted
his hearers to seek for that grace which
would beautify their lives and make
of them true followers of Him who
was full of grace and truth.