Year: 1879

THE PROBLEM OF LIFE-SERMON By THE REV.


E. H. CHAPLIN, D. d.


The Rev. E. H. Chaplin. D. D.. pastor of the Church
of the Divine Paternity. Fifth avenue and Forty-hfh
street. selected his text Ecclesiastes. H.. ST
sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine yet
acquainting mine heart with wisdom;' and to lay
hold on folly. till / might see what was
that good for the Of which they
should do under the heavens all the days Of
their lfe." In this discourse. said the preacher.
wish say something of the true idea OF life. do
not moan any theory of life. or any plan man may
set before him and then try to work it out but the
life lives and ascertain IL 1t is the best. In
other words, to fud IL life is practical problem
that may DO worked out The writer Of Eccesi
astes was familiar with this problem of life. The
experiences brought forward here very valuable.
The writer tried tho problem of life its objects and
aims by IN intellectual solution: and falling he then
tried il by sensuous delight. He found that ''sll
was vanity aud vexation Of spirit" This to uso
modern phraseology, is the testimony OF expert.
We may have wider field of observation than tho
writer in this day. but tho essential facts are the
ton or sensuous delight is needed Tho Legitimate
result OF tho inquiry to the best way in which 10
1.-Two is good Religion is the conclusion Of reason
and is reasonable. II reason leads us into it
will lead us out OF it. Man is an undivided whole.
and We cannot say he his intellectual faculties
alone. There some, though whose learning
brings to them no moral results. No amount OF
head learning without experience much avail in
solving the problem OF life. We can't understand
life from speculation alone. We must know OF its
bitterness the blessing OF pain which experience
shows tho refined gold, and its moral elements not
understood by tho speculative theorists. wonder
fui transformation comes over life upon the develop
Aent OF the good that Is in one. Oan We suppose
the end Of our being is in speculative wisdom


sowN WEAKNESS F. .FNe'


The higher idea OF life cannot be brought out by
mere intellectual speculation Yet the weaker side
must not be lost sight of. Do you act against
your Judgment? Have you never come down from
the house OF penitence and prayer and have all your
good resolutions waited away by the first breath OF
temptation? Man wants something besides knowledge,
that alone is not sufficient to bear the burdens of
life. The help OF Christ is required. We need not
the testimony waited ages that actions
are not right. The testimony IL all sides of us.
1t is the trembling frame and bloodshot eye OF the
victims that we daily pass. The danger Of worldly
gain should not be forgotten. When suggests
that attention should be given to divine things there
are some absorbed with the wish to increase their
worldly possessions that they hayo time to spare
for serious thoughts. Spiritual obscuration and
moral danger often the result of this great worldly
gain Men talk about the hard times. The frauds the
corruptions and pcculations OF the age have done
much to make the times hard. The hinges Of hon.
esty have been unriveted that the greed gain may
be satisfied. We want something else to do that is
better. We want the love and that sees God
Religion will give these and satisfy the soul. t