THE DAILY ' EVENING TELEGRAPHPHILADELPHIA, -MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1807.
G
THE CITY PULPIT.
"THE FAIR WflRMNG."
Sermon Pr.rh.l !. K ?lie VVi!
f 1 lerucl. H..l Church, toy "
tor, M.v. U. A. I'slls. .
Notwithstanding the tmplea.flntiieM or the
weathrr, a goodly number of persons assembled
in tbe Tabrroaclo Baptist Church, Chesnvit
strci-r, wistof Eighteenth, lut evening, to listen
to the laf t of a aeries of sermons before the
Young People's Association ot this Church.
The sermon Inst evening wa delivered by the
pastor of the church, Rev. G. A. I'oltz, who
stketed for his text the ronowinR wumo
The following Is an abstract of the discourse:
God's providential allotments ore so arranged
that at the liuigment every mouth will be
V ,1, ..v..-- ,
vain in tucn hukiubhuu . .
heart was darkened"-' So that tbey arc with-
ftllt PXOUHC "
Far more, then, shall those be silenced before
God who, iroui under rue clear light ot inspira
tion, co up to Mis bar unreconciled and unre
deemed. But among those of this latter cUss
there (dull be .llllerences of culpability. Christ
tanght thht for Xvre and Bidon, and for SiHoin
luni eomorrah.lt hlioiild be more tolerable in the
day ol judgment than lor Capernaum an I Jeru
salem, and doubtless for Capernaum anl Jeru
salem it Khali be rooro tolerable than for U3 of
modern Pdiladelphia.
To our central scope of privilege, however,
prcial ailiiiiions have been made in the eerie
of sermons before the voting of this congrega
tion. Faithfully have your preachers presented
the truth, and as we ieucU the end ot thiscourse
we can but look for results commensurate with
the opportunity. Much ha been attained.
Thirty converts, mostly youne persons, have
bere professed Christ since this series began.
But, alas! bow many of our young are still un
saved and unpivpared for judgmeui! For mich,
that they may not receive the greater condem
nation, 1 brine the warning of my text,
Tnis message is addressed to young men. U
is not, however. In any exclusive way, but sim
ply to such as the type of all youthful joyous-nei-8
and vigor. Tue career to which the youth
is here bidden, is just sueh as most charms the
young. "Hejuice, 0 young man, in thy youth,"
says the wise man. "Yes," reply the young,
"We will do so. Youth is the time tor enjoy
ment. This direction is admirable. We are
ready to obey it. Away the with long visages,
with sober looks, with subdued lauehter, and
with restrained mirth. We will be happy in our
youth."
Nor Is it to be wondered at that the young
shoulJ be so charmed with prospects of erjlor
ment. Seriousness and gravity may become
those advanced in lile, but ioyausness sits as a
frown of glory UP0I) the brow ot the young.
We should be happy in youth. It is so full of
vigor, of enthusiam, of hope, and so free from
trial, and care, and pain. It is the morning of
life, as yet uuoppressed with the noonday heat,
unsullied with the dust ef tbe noonday toil, un
disturbed by the bustle of the noonday ttrite.
When the newly rising sun tints the very clouds
With glory, and transmutes the lowly dewdrops
into diamonds, it is the spitng-tlme of lite.
When the interchange of sunshine and shower
develope vernal beauty, and arrays the earth
in the vestments of God ; when every shooring
blade, and swelling bud, aud opening leaf is
significant of good to ctrae, and when every
creature is vocal with praise, oh, at this bright
time, in youth, if evei in our Uvea, we should
rejoice. So far, theu, ns concerns the first direc
tion of our text, the young accept, and every
voice of God commands it youth is the time
for joy.
But enjoyment varies greatly in Its char
acter and . sources. There is that which
flows from above, and which is pure and pre
cious, but there is also, that which is from
below, and which is dark and damning. The
language of the clause we have in hand does
not determine aught as to source or character.
It simply bids the young man rejoice in his
youth: but when we aflirm that God meant us
no to do, wo mean, of course, that the joy be
from a proper source and of a proper kind.
But the other clauses of our text fix the mean
ing of the wibc man, "Rejoice, O yoing man, in
thy youth," says he, "and let thy heart cheer
thee in the days of thy youth." Ilia own heart
is the source of the desired cheer. Not, per
haps, in the restricted sense of heart, that is,
the emotional part, but in the hroaler sense of
all his inwaid resources of what kind soever.
The direction supposes self-sufficiency in this
matter of enjoyment. It implies that one's
heart can cheer him, and then it directs its
allowance. "Let thy heart cheer thee." How
readily do the young, and. others too, accept
this supposition and adopt this direction I They
are conscious of likes and dislikes, of preferences
and prejudices, of deeires and aversions. In
dulgence ol these emotions is supposed to
Ruitrautee enjoyment. To be all untrammelled
in this indulgence is, to many of the young, the
ideal ot true liberty, the inevitable har&iuger of
solid pleasure. Each one pants to be "lord of
liimseU," hale, dreaming it a "heritage ot woe."
Led on by such ideas, how many pass from
innocent employments to questionable, and
irom questionable to culpable! llecreatiou
merges into dissipation; freedom into licentious
ness; conviviality into debauchery. Belt'-sulH-cicucy
aud self-indulcciice, attractive though
tliey seem, nevertheless rest upon their victims
like a siren's charm or au enchanter's spell.
lbe correctness of our interpretation thus far
is clearly shown by the next clauses ef our text.
Here the wise mau says: "Walk in the ways of
thine heart, and In the sight ot thine eyes.''
Whatever be the chosen way of thine heart.
Whether to the .right, hand or to the left ; whether
to or from God; whether it be "the straight and
narrow way," or "the broad way which Tcadeth
in itf tructlcn' vver that way be, walk
So, too, "in the sight of thine eves," that Is
according to your own observations. True'
thine eyes cannot peer into the future thev
cannot see the end from the beginnine' tuev
cannot trace thy complicated relationships.
True, they are easily dazzled or even blinded
jet "Walk in their Uaohings.i In short the
iejoielng presented m our text Is simply such as
can be becured by complete self-sulliciency aud
f ell-indulgence. Keligfon, and all from without
the man, is overlooked. Self, self is the source
and the end of the joy here presented.
But how shall such a direction be understood?
lipes the wiso man approve of such a career
What say you, young iriends, does ha approve
Buch a course! No,13 jour prompt response.
U n? a Prr,- Hfe for any man. No wise
does W,,' BoloSE
xtt. 1 he Knvi rw ' t ar Dlm' la chapter
?h. f iee1eJ- now thy Creator in
"Fear God, and keen ii , Z.7. c viz.,
this is the whole duty of nan T??5 for
is here again stricken down?' bllWna"lBe'ce
xtor uucs mat crreater auttinrtt.. m ,
mend such a career. 1 1 b n ai a n Xut ' COm
alter me " said he "let hVm"
take up his crow daily, aad follow nw? A, and
who attempted to live for hWu Chrii ,one
sents God as saying, "Thou tool !' list lePre'
The fact is that our text is not meant a. n
command, or an encouragement to the course it
1)ortrays. It is meant as a lair warning to the
ieedless, unconverted young, who rush on in
that way. Despairing of suecess in his etTorU
to check them, then the Preacher gives the
supposed permission of our text, and solemnly
adds "But know thou, that for all these
things God will bring thee Into judgment."
Here, then, Is a fair warning upon the cer
tainty of the Judgment know Viou that lie will
bring thee into judgment. We may know this
from God's character. Ho is just, but aln i
aseutlally unjust. It therefore needs adjust
went, For tkla God iita Ja judgment, U9
Kfrlolcp. O yiui)K mn. In Hy jnutlil ; ana e ,
Ir.n hri.,.r in. Into JuOaienU,,A-rti'JitMM
towed, ana an me mw ucwmo u,...
lllinT The PHpan world, though uuculij-bteued
bvihe (Scriptures, will stand ttau:-;'Becauso
that when they knew God, they glonnod Him
v ' oiii,or B.Ar thinkful: bat because
II u
but the Creator.' In chanter 4 , f '
this as the conclusion o?Pm' Jetate
merely to look upon or Inspect our acts, but to
judpe tiicm. His justico claim thi". Tnen,
J'oo, we may know It Irom His word. No losou
s more lully taught in the Scriptures. Go1 is
not a man, that He should lie, thcreforo He will
judee ns.
Here, too, Is a fair warninor upon the rom
pietcncsn of the judgment. For "ai' there n'i's"
(Jod will Judge us. Not alone for the chief
event, but lor all events, however slinht, how
ever secret, however shameful.
"Tbe .Turin oefidn the awful Ihronn;
Jle niakrn mch oicrrl Nln b known,
Aud ml, wim sliniup, conlcm tuHr own."
But further, there is here a fair warning, upon
the persoual character of the iudRtncnt. Know
thou, sajs the Preacher to the young man, God
will bring thfe into Judgment. Though sur
rounded hy niyriBds of mankind, upon thee
tingly must the searching eye be set; upon thee
singly must (all the cheeriug plaudit or the
withering curse.
And other watnines are really included here;
for example, these words warn yon that you are
lrcc. "Itcjoi!e, O young manX You can; vou
are free. "Let they heart cheer then." You
may; you are free. "And walk In the ways of
thme Jieart, and in the stent of thinn eye."
This you may do also. Thus do all we stand
free to sin, tree to follow Christ.
Here, too, are we warned upon the sufficiency
cf rengwua opportunity. Surely the young man
of our text was not so addressed except as an
extreme appeal. He must have beard enough,
to turn him; but, hearing not, pleadings lollow,
and, finally, tbe fair but solemn warning of our
text. Young friend, heed those words of warn
ing abandon tbe alluring paths of selfishness
and sin. ltcal enjoyment, heavenly pleasure,
is louna alone in Christ. He can cheer thee in
lile, (install) thee in death, vindirute thon In th
judgment, bless thee forever.
lireci, on, heed tnc warning. Flee, oh, flee to
Christ.
PARABLE OF THE LEAVEN.
Introductory Sermon Delivered lay Rev.
A. A. WIlllUs, U.O., mt the West Arch
Street Church, Sunday Morning.
Yesterday morning the West Arch Street
Church was crowded to exeess. The announce
ment that the Kev. A. A. Willitts would deliver
hie introductory sermon, congregated one of the
largest assemblages that has yet convened in
this church edifice. The aisles were encroached
upon, and every seat had its occupant. After
the usual opening exercises, Rev. Mr. Willitts
commenced his discourse, drawn from the para
ble ol the leaven, and thtoughout Us delivery
the vast congregation was wrapt in profound
attention. We give the sermon below:
"The kingdom ol lituvm Is like unto leaven, wblcb a
wumuu iuuk suu uiu iu iure measures ot naeul,
till the whole was leavened." Matthew xlli. S3.
One does not wonder that the people were
astonished at our Lord's teaching, and that thev
ciud out with marvellous looks and voices.
Lie nee uaminiB man tnis wjsuoiur"
These parables were so exquisitely beautiful
and stiiklng so simple so practical every
clause so suggestive ot meaning the instruction
conveyed so important, that tbey must have
ptcsented an amazing contrast, indeed, to the
dall, dry teachings of the Scribes and Pharisees,
with their conventional forms and dusty tradi
tions. No wonder "the common people heard
Him gladly,'' wi.e spake so freshly aud illustrated
His truth so simply and so naturally.
The variety displnjed in this group cf parables,
strung like pearls on the thread of a single dis
course, shows how admirably our Lord adapted
Ilia discourses to the different classes of His
hearers. 1, The farmers have "The Sower and
the Tares." 2. The miners, the parable of "The
Hidden Treasure." 3. The merchants, "The
Peail of Great Price." 4. The fishermen that of
"The Net." 6. Tbe Scribes and learned men,
that of "The householder briuging forth out ot
his treasure things new and old." 6. The
women, this parable of "The Leaven and the
Meal" each class having the truth illustrated
in a manner familiar to them.
This parable of the leaven illustrates the
internal economy of Christ's kingdom its
secret, silent, yet powerful and progressive in
fluence in the soul of man and tbe moral state
of society. The leaven was a substance intro
duced by the woman into the very heart or
centre of the mass of meal, and such was its
adaptation to the meal, and its influence over it,
that slowly and silently, and yet surely, its
power or influence spread from particle to parti
cle, until the whole mass was elevated, light
ened, leavened ! Such, says the great Teacher,
is the operation of my spiritual kingdom in this
world; so shall my truth and grace act upon
the soul of man and the moral state ot human
society.
Now the first lesson we learn from this, my
friends, Is this very important one, viz. the
heart of man and the social organization, of
men, which we call society, are dependent for
their moral elevation upon the introduction of
an influence or power extraneous or foreign to
themselves.
The meul would not rise of itself; no amount of
kneading or moulding it would make it rise,
unless the leaven was first put into It.
So the human eouI and human society have
no legenerating qualities in themselves. With
out the quickening influence of God's spirit aud
word, the proclivity is downward, and not
upward; the tendency is to eiuk, and not to
rise.
The tad and solemn record of history is, that
human science and philosophy, with all their
proud pretensions, have utterly tailed, and
always failed, to improve the heart or morally
elevute the race ! Whatever the plausibility of
their theories, or the pride of their piomiees
their practice has bet u utterly defective, their
iruus, line me luoicci appies or souom, ashes
and death I It is well tor men in these days to
be reminded of certain fa is in the past history
of our race. And I would ask this question
this morning: "What was the moral state ot
tbe world when philosophy, science, and art
were in their glory? When they Lad undis
puted sway over the minds ol ien, and when
they had no competitors in the held f" Why,
my trlends, a certain eminent writer, who lived
in the age to which we refer, in a letter to the
Itomans, describes the population of the
civilized world of that day as given up to the
vilest and most uuuatural utlectlous and pas
sions! filled with all unrighteousness aud de
grading wickedness! to use his own words
"Full of envy, murder, deceit, malignity, dis
obedient to parents, eoveuant breakers, without
natural all'ection, implacable, unmeiciful not
only committing such thiDgs as are worthy of
death, but having pleasure in them that did
these things."
Yes, my Iriends, such, according to St. Paul,
were the polished Grecians aud the sterner
Houiauo! feucu tbe moral fruits of the Augns
tan uge of literature 1 the age of Cicoro,
Horace, Ovid, and Virgil I
Yes, professing themselves to be wise, they
became fools, and changed the glory of the In
corruptible God into an image made like to
corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed
beasts, and creeping reptiles.
And what was the reputed moral character of
heathen divinities y The most abominable and
shameless ) And what the gods were said to be
in their lives, their worshippers were actually
in their service. "It is a shame," says Paul,
"even to sijcak of tboie thinn whirl. wm
done ol themin secret." What must have been
the state ol public morals, my friends, when the
very gods were both patterns and patrons of
vice? When their religious rites encouraged
the most bloody cruelty and the foulest obsce
nity f Yes, their deities were entreated by costly
otleilngs, on splendid altars, to favor the in
dulgence of the most uuuatural lusts, and the
perpetration of the most horrible crimes I
l-eaeca, one of their own writers, txclalmsi
"How great is now the madness of men
they lisp the most abominable prayers in the
ears or the gods, and if a man is found listening
they are found silent. What a man ought not
to hear, they do not bluoh to rehearse to God."
But not only were they thus given up to all
uncleanuess, but as St. Paul declares, they
were also full rt i mnniiiii ami m utiirnllv n
Scenes t blood and slaughter were the public
diversions of the people! Witness the shows of the
gladiators in the crowded ampitheatrei, when
10 cvK'bltrtO a bUlhaaf or grMUj popular VhUft
crowds of captives were set to mutual slaughter,
or f lse to contend with the fury ot wild beaats,
w hile refined and delicate women delighted in
these revolting crnelties, criticizing the skill of
the ferocious swordsman and apoUuding with
enthusiasm the graceful stroke that opened Vie
heait ot the vanquished, and pour.-d out his
lite's blood upon the arena. "Who," says
Hume, "can read the acts ot thcaniplmheatrical
shov, s without horror 1 or who Is surprised that
the emperors should treat the people In the
same way the peoplo treated their inferiors?
One's humanity is apt to renew the barbarous
wlshot Caligula, that the peoplo had but one
neck. A man could almost be pb'aied. by a
fcinpie blow, to put an end to such a race of
monsters." And then, speaking of the common
habit ot poisoning among them, he adds tois
remark: 'So depraved in private lite were
that people whom In their history we admire
so much." Thus does the intidel historiau con
firm the testimony of the Christian apostle. In
deed, every canJid student of history must
admit that it is hardly possible to give it lu Its
tine colois the moral deformity of these
people. Suicide was not only extensively
practised, but ndvocated as a right and com
mended as a virtue. Even Seneca pleaded for
it, and Cicero was its advocate. Brutus, Cas
sius, and many others both defended and prac
tised It; and Plutnrch praises Cato for having
been bis own murderer.
Almost the same might be said, also, of Infan
ticide. The murder ot new born infants was an
allowed practico in almost all the States ot
Greece and Komc. It was not only commonly
practised, but was scatcely spoken of with dis
approbation by any author ot those times. Phi
losophers supported thecii8tom byaisrument,
and legislators threw around it the shield and
sanction ot law. Solon and Aristotle, Plato
and Plutarch, gave their great names to sanc
tion the inhuman doctrine and practice. And,
lioni cne end of the Koman Kmpire to the
other, the land was stained with the bloo 1 of
murdered infants. O think, what must have
been the state of domestic virtue when such a
pi actice prevailed 1 And think of the learned
defending it ns wise, the magistrate rom mend
lug It as useful, and the public sentiment re
garding it as innocent.
Indeed, my friends, there is no species of de
grading crime that you can find named In the
calandur, which was not countenauced and
deleneed by the written doctrines and shame
less practices of even the great and wise men of
this age. And, "If such things were done in
the green tree, what must have been donejin
the diy t" It these lights of the heathen world
were so debased, wbat, then, must have been
the moral degradation of the more ignorant
populace? Such, my friends, was the moral
state of society when human science, art, and
philosophy had the world all to themselves,
and when they were in their greatest power and
perfection ! Scciety deteriorated in their hands.
It was made worse, and not better, by their
influence.
Yes, my friends. All history shows that a
progn ss In the arts and sciences and commerce
and attendant wealth, withoat the leaven of the
Gospel, only increases the arrogance, pride,
selfishness, luxury, and licentiousness of a
people, and thus only hastens them on to moral
and social mini Humanity is depraved I It is
a dead and heavy mass of buniaa science, and
philosophy has no regenerating leaven to lift
it up I Ciceio frankly admits that "the ancient
philosophers never reformed either themselves
or their disciples, and that he knew not a single
instance in which cither the teacher or the
disciple was made virtuous by their princi
ples 1"
Surely this Is a most remarkable testimony,
and ouerht not to be forgotten by the little phi
losophers ot the present day, who, unmindful ot
this record of history and of the total failure of
Ehilosophy in the past, come forward with their
lustering pretensions, and with a supercilious
sneer at the claims ol Christianity, endeavor to
thrust it aside, and ask only to have society
committed to their hands, and they will show
us what they can do with it 1 Indeed I
Alas! history already shows u.s what they
can do with society, and we have no desire to
repeat the sad experiment. No away with
them and their moral nostrums. Humanity
has suffered long encugb from their quackry.
They have nothing in all their materia medica
adapted to even the fiist symptom of the dis
ease. And they have nothing In all their his
tory to awaken the fiM ray of confidenoe In
their power or frkill.
No, no, no. Humanity, diseased and dying
humanity, needs a Divine remedy ! And, thank
God, it has found it; here it id 1 Yes, here in the
f ospel of Jesus Christ there is a leaven that can
ilt the whole sodden mass up I This matter has
been tested, my friends, thoroughly tested, aud
in every case the Gospel has proved itself to be
"the power of God unto salvation to every one
that helltveth." Yes, thank God, Christianity
can appeal to history without shame ! She can
submit to the practical test of "results" without
fearot discomfiture 1 The expeiiments of her
power in all lands, over all habits and disposi
tions, and with all classes of meu, are upon
record, and, thank God, the record proves the
divinity of her origin, end constitutes the pro
phecy of her futuie triumph. She has gone into
tbe ice-bound regions of tbe North, among the
ireenlanders, whose minds were as slow and
sleepy as the seals on which they lived, and
whose hearts were as cold and barren as their
ice and snow-covered hills. She has entered
among tbe Inhabitants ot tbe burning zone,
among the Hottentots, the very lowest grade of
human nature, whose souls were supposed by
many to be as incapable of enlightenment and
transformation as the apes ot their forests.
She hus tried her power upon the ferocious
tribes of American Indians, upon warriors
nourlfhed with blood, and trained to human
(daughter, and whom no suflerincrs or dancers
could tame. She has lifted up her voice among
the islands of the ocean among savages unit
ing with the most Iabuman idolatry tbe most
beastly vices and most unnatural cruelties.
And t lorn all this heterogeneous mass of mis
shapen and depraved humanity, by the mere
mtlucnce of her truth aud love, she bus led forth
a train ot Christian disciples in whom are found
precisely the same distinctive and beautiful
moral features of meekness, humility, love, and
hollncos ! As u striking Illustration, my friends,
look at the Sandwich Islands. Within our times
they were universally Pagan; having no altars
but those of demons ! No law but that of vio
lence! No morals but those of unbridied pas
sions I Theft was a national art! Polygamy,
inlauticide, the murder of war prisonors, the
sacrifice ol human victims, and crimes against
nature prevailed throughout their population !
Behold tbe change! Where are no,w their
idols? Cast to the moles and bats by those
who once adored them! or preserved In tho
museums ol our missionary societies as trophies
of the cros! Where are all tneir neatbenlsn
rites and degrading customs? They have gone
with the idols! The whole plan and mould of
society have been recast ! The leaven of the
Gospel has been put in among them, and it has
leavened the whole maes! Laws, wisely enacted
aud well administered, keep tne peace and pro
mote improvements. Crimes of all kinds are
obliged to cease, or ineak Into concealment!
Marriage has giveu to parents new affection to
their children, and childreu new ties to each
other.
The Sabbath Is reverenced and widely kept for
rest and worship. Benevolence has gushed
forth as a new fountain, and streams of good
works are flowing in every direction 1 The arts
of peace have superseded the art of war, and
the march of Christian civilization Is visible in
every direction in agriculture, la commerce,
architecture, dress, manners, domestic com
forts, schools, and government. Such have
been the fruits of Christianity in a s ngle spot,
and out of such unpromising material! Yes,
my friends, just as godless reason was writing
out Its page of blood in anhappy France, up
heaving the very foundations ot society, over
throwing all virtue and enthroning every crime,
and Inaugurating the awlul age of terror; just
at that hour when infidelity was writing a puge
In history, whose bloody record she can never
cover or efface; just then Christianity was on
the opposite side of the globe writing this beau
tiful chapter of peace overturning the long
established evils aud Installing the pure, lovely,
ud good, and inaugurating the era of Christian
love and peace In the history of the Pacific
Islaads. As if God, in His providence, was
saying to every inhabitant of this globe, "Be
hoia thf fruits of Uodie PJiilosopb? oq the ojje
hand, and of the Gospel of my Son on the other."
look on tnl picture, and then loo on tliit I
and fay which shnll b! the pict iro of your
home, jour heart, and your country I"
Yes. thank (iod, the Gospel reined v has been
fairly tested. It was tcstco" In the beginning, In A
the midst of the very nboninations ot Gi'eeco
and Komc, to which I have alluded. II taii:;bt
cbff-tity at Corinth, humility Ht A then-, humanity
at Home, and converted tho very jail at Pln
lippt into Christian chnrcn. Yes, Paul could
turn Irom the revolting moral peeture of tue
society arouud him In that day, whose portrai
ture he has dtawnln a few stromi, dark, Inefface
able lines In his letter to the Koman; he could
turn Irom this sad picture" to tho members of
the Christian churches ho had founded in this
moral waste, ami r ay to them, "Such were some
ot you, but je nre washed, but ye are sanctitied,
but ye aie Justified In the name of tho Lord
Jesus, and by the Spirit ot God."
Yes, my friends, here is the true leaven for
human society. It is exactly adtptd to the
nature and needs of the human soul. It has
just the be lit tbe mind needs; just tbe motives
the conscience needs, and, above all, just tbe
love the heart needs. Yes, It is exactly suited
to the human heart, and it Is never admitted
there but it assimilates like leaven with all the
faculties and atl'ectionsof the nature, and makes
a new nature and a new creature In Christ
Jesus. Oh I how wonderful, how wonderful,
my friend.., is that moral transformation which
this leaven of the Gospel is working in human
hearts every day around us ! In persons of all
classes of society, all grades ot intellect, and all
degrees ot enmity to the relielon ol Christ.
Sime word Irom this Gospel, some text, some
simple statement ot doctrine, some narrative
from the evangelical history, or some presenta
tion of tacts such as I have given to-dav, falls
on their minds, and suddenly they find their
minds seized upon by nn influence they cannot
shake oil' au unseen hand seems to bo upon
tbem they find no rest, no peace, till they sub
mil to the truth and find peace in believing I
What is this? It is only the realization of tue
truth of my text. It is the heaven of the Gos
pel fermenting in their souls. And oh, what an
aei'ation it causes there! how every laculty,
allection, and lunctiou of the nature heaves
under Its mighty influence ! What repentance!
What humiliation 1 What sorrow I What love!
Wbat gratitude it suddenly makes! Only a few
dajs before, it may be, they were scoffers, blas
phemous, profligate, or almost hardened against
the Gospel religion. But behold now tbe
change! Their whole moral nature recant. Af
fections, desires, tempers, pleasuies, prospects,
all new! New creatures in Christ Jesus 1
The vast mass of human society will surely
yet be brought to feel its quickening and ele
vating influence ! the great moral change goes
on every hour ! False religions tremble and
lall ! false philosophies become helpless and die,
while the Christian world heaves and rises
higher and higher towards tho divine Ideal I
Oppositions, struggles, convulsions, there will
be from opposing forces ; " turnings and over
turnings" until He whose right it is to reign
shall reign, and whose Kinzdom shall glow with
the glories of truth, ot justice, of righteous
ness, of peace, and of love !
"Ol long expected day, begin!
Dawn ou these realms of death and sin !"
Is this your prayer, my brethren? Ob, then,
put in Uatent put in leaven I by every agency
and in everyplace! Oh, then, mke angels re
joice and Jesus smile, and your own hearts
glow, by throwing your whole hearts into this
work of leavening human society. What a
grand work it is ! How exalted the privilege of
being permitted to share in it.! Oh, then, aid
it ! Aid it, oh ! ye people favored so, by every
means jou possess, at every opportunity you
eajoy ! First of all, be sure and get the lcaveu
in sour own soul! Embrace the Gospel!
Accept the overture ! Believe the promise !
Adore the Giver and Brlngcr of salvation, and
implore His quickening grace ! And then,
when you feel its monitions, however feeble
they may bo however little the conviction of
sin however little me earnest desire for salva
tion however little the trembling of faith Oh 1
cherish It ! Cherisb it ! It is ot celestial origin.
It never came from earth or hell It Is from
heaven! It is the kingdom of God come into
jou ! It is an element divine ! It has a power
omnipotent ! It can change your whole moral
nature 1 Cherish it ! Give it a lair chance !
Imitate the woman who brings tho meal into
which the leaven has becu put, Into a warm
atmosphere, where it an work without bin
drance and amid genial influences. So do you.
Bring your heart into God's house, away from
the cold and stupid world; set it down by
the warm fire of God's altar, and it shall work
till it has leavened tbe whole nature. And
when you have thus secured the leaven in your
own wul, seek to secure the same divine influ
erce lor others.
Yes; for this is the crandestof all employ
ments, and tbe most ennobling of all exercises.
It is to this simple and sublime work, dear
friends and brethren, we come to devote the
balance of our days and tbe sum total of all
our energies the work of putting the "leaven of
the Gospel" into the society around us. We
come to he a loving fellow-laborer with ail who
are engaged in this noble work. We came,
hoping to enlist some who are not engaged In
the grand employment. 0 how great is the
woik ! how limited the time! how glorious the
rewards of faithful exertion ! Come then, dear
friends, all who are not engaged heart aud bead
and hands elsewhere, come join us in the good
work. Here is a wiae and noble field, here is
a grand standpoint, and here Is a band of Chris
tian men and women ready to join hands with
you in earnest, loving labor for one simple
object the salvation of souls, the elevation of
society on the Gospel basis, and the enthrone
ment of Jesus Christ as the true King ot the
heart and the world.
Does the work seem impracticable or chimeri
cal to jou ? Oh, It has the promise of God to
ensure its triumph, and the power of God to aid
its progress. There is nothing surer than suc
cess here. Yes,
"We may not live to see the day,
But earth shall glisten iu tne ray
Of a good tiuio coining."
"The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven,
which a woman took aud hid In three measures
ot meal till the whole was leavened." Yes, It is
coming; a good time coming! when the whole
ninss of human society shall be sweetened and
lifted up by the regenerating influence of this
blessed Gospel of the Son ot God ! Oh theu,
"Let us aid It, all we cais,
Every woman, every man,
The good time coming."
And oh, thou Spirit of tho living Cod, aid us !
Enlighten our minds; warm oar hearts; purify
our motives; fire our zeal !
And oh, move, move upou the mas of our poor
fallen humanity! Oh.quickeulheui; oh, lilt them
up, lift them up, lilt them up, till the whole
redeemed host shall stand in robts of light be
fore the throne of God I
THE USES OF CHRISTIAN TALENT.
Baccalaureate Sermon to the Graduating
Class of the University ot Pennsyl
vania., by Bishop Odenhelmer De
livered Last Evening In St. Mark's
Klicopal Chuch, Locust Street, above
Sixteenth.
SrECUL EEPOKT FOB THE EVENING TELBOBAPH.
St. Maik's Church, on Locust street, between
Sixteenth and Seventeenth, was filled to over
flowlng last evening, notwithstanding the In
clemency oi the weather, tho occasion being
the Baccalaureate sermon to the graduating
Class of the Pennsylvania University, by Eight
Rev. Bishop Odenhelmer, of Now Jersey.
The exercises preliminary to the sermon were
very elaborate, and tavored of ritualism to a
more than ordinary degree. The choir of men
and boys sang, as usual, in excellent style, while
the officiating clergyman went through with all
the curious ceremonies which the new system
entails upon them. Tho presence of the senior
class arrayed in their college gowus and caps
nieseuted an appearance which accorded well
with tbe peculiar ceremonies of the service.
Bishop Odenhelmer addressed the audience as
Xtif Viautist ol the graduating claB o( the
University of Pennsylvania that I should pn uc'i i
the baccHinurearo sermon has come to hi with
an authority which I have not b.ien ti- to
resist, notwittiMand ng the pressure d ollicial
duty. 1 reeard it as the voice of now brothers
asking counsel from an older brother, for we
aie thesomofthe sume academical mother,
and members of the same household of letters.
Under tho influence of this sentiment, and hav
ina In view the Intellectual position of those
who have called me here to-night, I propos,
with (iod's blcssinii, to discu-s a subject sug
gef ted by the words of the preat Teic.hcr, our
Divine Master, as recorded iu the 48th verso of
the 12th chapter Of the Gospel according to St.
Luke "For unto whomsoever much is given,
ot him shall much be required; and to whom
men have committed much, ot him they will
ask the more."
Our adorable Redeemer propounds In these
words the general principle ot responsibility,
and we have the sanction ot divine authority for
the universal dictate of sound Teaon which
maintains responsibility in every department of
human thought and action, that prevails la
moral duties and spiritual attainments. In aca
demical culture. In civil or public oflle.es. Both
God and man aflirm the justice of the law,
"Lnto w hom much is given, of him shall much
be required."
Applying that view, my young Iriends of the
graduating class of the University h-avlng re
ceived much from the learned and talihful Pio
vost and ProfeBsors of jour Alma Mater, I pro
ceed, without lurther preliminary remarks, to
apply the principle in the text to j ourselves and
to all who belong to tbe noble fraternity of
letters, and will speak as to the responsibility
of American scholars. I limit the treatment
ol the object not only to certain se'eeted par
ticulars, but to American scholars, not Intend
ing to Impeach the essential catholicity whereby
allscholais in all the world and in every Re
are to be plcdued to common duties and com
mon responsibilities, but because the circum
stances of our country seem tome to enforce
certain duties on those who are to be leaders in
the domain of that culture.
Tbe UrFt responsibility which I notice as rest
ing upon American scholars is the spreading of
correct ideas as to what constitutes true scholar
ship. Tbe true scholar is not one who is edu
cated in the intellectual part of his being only,
but In the spiritual also; and he recognizes the
duty which God requires of him to consecrate
His gifts to discover an effusion of truth.
A true education is that training, discipline,
and development of the faculties of our nature
in accordance with the law of our Creator. The
work of education should be based on the har
monious conclusions of revelations and science.
Ii the business of education be merely to crowd
the memory with facts or fancies, then it is not
man's constitution but man's capacity that
should be considered. All lovers ot God were
bound to promote correct ideas on the subject
ot education, and a very grave responsibility
oevoives upon tnose wno are to do tne intellec
tual leaders of the people.
By their tongues aud pens they are to endea
vor to spread tho principles which will secure
the most prominent and eternal interest of all
classes in our country to God. The next re
sponsibility resting upon American scholars
which I should notice is, that scholars should
be thorough in their own attainments, and
should use their influence to promote tho
roughness in tne eaucation oi tne people. God's
work is thorough in power, in beauty, In wis
dom. In love. In creating, in preserving, redeem
ing, sanctifying. God is thorrough nothing
lert unctone, nothing aone so as to Do revised
all thorough, all very good.
If j ou be call9d on to teach, make no preten
sions to teach; but teach thoroughly whatever
is the allotted curriculum of studies. It is due
to those who Intrust their children to you; it
is due to the pupils themselves. Parents expect
thoroughness in the teacher of their children;
but alas ! how often are their brightest expecta
tions never realized, ou account of a want of
thoroughness in tne teacher!
1 here should be a high moral conscientious
ness on the part of American scholars to be and
to make others thorough. If the teacher be a
mere surface man, he w ill tolerate imperfect
scholarship in those cammitted to his care. If
we are thoiough in our studies it will lead to
thorough spiritual preparation, and when the
heavens aud earth shall pass away, and when
we shall meet Him, He will not bo content with
our saying "Lord! Lord!" but will demand
from each one a thorough and practical obedi
ence to His commandment., as well as a thor
ough faith in His perfect sacrifice on thelcross.
But let us consider another responsibility
resting on Americau scholars, akin to that
already noticed, w hich obliges the true scholar
to accept and promote reality in scholarship
as in all other matters. There must be reality
in science, and reality in literature. If there
be one characteristic of God's .work or woiks
stamped on all His creation, it is reality.
You are bound to take jour stand In active
life as real American scholars, helping to make
all within jour influence real in their several
spheres and callings.
There jet remains lor notice one other point.
With this statement I shall conclude my ser
niou. It Is the gnavest responsibility of air. Not
onlv should the American scholar be thorough
in all his acquirements, but his scholarship
should be eminently Christian, and have a true
recognition ot the source ot all wisdom Jesus
( hrist, our Lord, the Alpha and the Omega, the
beginning and tbe end, the first and the last.
All those who believe in the inspiration of the
Bible who accept as the word of God the far
reaching declaration of Jesus : "I am tho light
of the world" there can be no doubt as to the
true principle ot investigation in all the depart
ments of truth, physical aud nictaphysicuL
For such a man the only true scholarship is
Christian scholarship. You, my brothers of the
graduating class of the University, are respon
sible in your presence and influence in advanc
ing the American nation in me irue unridtiau
scholanhip.
I mean bv Christian scholarship of men that
research and study which never forgets its rela
tion to Him who is the source oi all intellectual
power, and In whom there is wisdom and know
ledge. 'Ihero is a scholarship that Is selfish. It
seeks personal lame and aggrandizement. But
I nicuu by Christian scholarship directly tho
opposite of this. Christian scholarship begins
with the acknowledgment of the first great
truth, that this world, in all its department,
springs from God, and is kept in being by the
same.
You must acknowledge the power and good
ness of God in everything, aud promote His
glory through the revelation of Jesus Christ Hi
Son.
lbe Bishop then spoke euloglstlcally of the
Prolessors In the University, dwelling particu
larly upon the goodness of the late fr. Reed,
also mentioning the lamented Professor Baehe,
whom be characterized as a true Christian
ccholar. There Is no scholarship worthy of the
name that is not avowedly Christian.
The speaker continued at some length, urging
his hearers to have m view the great'eud of life
the salvation of the soul and exhortiug them
to establish true Christian scholarship in them
selves, aud, imparting the knowledge they had
received lrciu above to others, making them
thorough, and they to other, continuing
therein until the day when the sea shall give up
her dead at the command of Him who saitb "I
am the Alpha and Omega, the beginnlnir'and
the end, the first and the last."
"y a it d a p
DEPARTMENT
bUEGEON-UUKERAL S OFFTCE. 1
' . . Muy 8, lHti7.
An Army Medfoal Board is now in sesalon In
rew York elty for the examination of candi
dates i lor admission Into tho Medical fetalf of
the United Htatea Army.
Applicants must be over twenty-one years ol
age, and physically sound.
Applications lor un Invitation to appear be
fore the Board should be addressed to the Bur-geon-Generul,
U. H. A., and must state the full
name, residence, and date and place of birth of
the candidate. Xebtliuoulala as to character
and quulilicatlons must be furnished. If the
applicunt uhs been in the Medical bervlce of the
Army, lbe fact should be slated, together with
Jjih loi iner rank and lime and pliuie of eervloe.
No allowance Is made for the expenses of per
sons undergoing tho examination, n It la an
luclispetiHable piereriuibile lo appointment.
There are thirty-five vacancies ia the Medical
Blair.
J. K. BAUNKS,
(Ifrnwcim 8urgeon-u.cn.eral, U. tt, A,
WAi CI-ES, JEWELRY, ETC.
tV.ER!CAN WATCHED.
W. TV. CABSIDY,
BO. 1 MOUTH SECOND STREET,
PBrt.AVBl.PHI4
ABK8 ATTENTION TO HIS
VARIED AMD EXTENSIVE STOCK
OF
EDJ AMD IILTEB WATCHES
AND
SILVER-WARE,
Customers msjr be assured that none bat tbe be
article, st reason able prices, will bs sold st his store
A rlDe assortment of
PUTl lMV ABK CONSTANTLY ON 1TAND
WA1CHJ..B and JEWELRY carefully repaired. Al
Orders by mat) promt tj attPndprt to. (4 m wsm-trq
LCVIS LADOMUS & CO.,
Diamond Dealers and Jewellers,
NO. 80S CI1ESN17T fcTn PHILADELPHIA,
Would Invite tbe atteotlon of pnrctaMers to their
lnrge and bsnasume assortment of
DIAMONDS,
WATCHES,
JEWELRY,
SILVER-WARE, 1
ETC. ETC.
ICE PITCHERS In great variety.
A large assortment of suiall STUDS, for eyelet
holes, Just received.
WATCHiS repaired In the best manner, and
guaranteed. 8ij4p
JOHN BOWMAN
No. 704 AltOH Stro.tj
PHILADELPHIA,
MANUFACTURER AND DEALKB Q)
SILVER AND PLATEDWAEE,
Our GOODS are decidedly thecheapest in theolty
J TRIPLE PLATE, A MO. 1. fg
WATCHES, JEWJiLltl.
W. W. CAS5IDY, , vrtKl
Ho. IS SOUTH SECOND STREET. '
tock'of M eDtIreljr new sad most carefully select '
c AMERICAN AND GENEVA WATCHES.
JEWELBY,
SILVER-WARE, AND FANCY ARTICLES
EVERY DESCRIPTION, suitable for
BRIDAL OB HOLIDAY PRESENTS
Anezaiuluatlou will bow my stock to ba
passed la quality and cheapness; 06 M"1
yartlonlar attention paid to repairing. I lsf
C. RUSSELL & CO..
NO. S NORTH SIXTH STREET.
, Have just received an Invoice of
FRENCH MANTEL CLOCKS,
Manufactured to their order In Paris.
Also, a few INTERNAL ORCHESTRA CLOCFt
with side piecesj which they ofler lower than the sam -goods
can be purchased In the city. j
C. & A. PEQUIGNOT,
Manufacturers of
Wold aud Silver Watch Coses,
And Wholesale Dealers In
AMERICAN WATCH CO.'8,
HOWARD fc CO.'S,
And TREMONT
AB1EKICAN WATC1LES
no. aa SOUTH fifth street.
HENRY HARPER.
No. EGO AROH Street.
Manufacturer aud Dealer in
WATCHES,
TINE JEWELRY,
SIL V EU-PLATED WARE, AND
811 SOLID SILVER-WARS
I'll VI HH
Large and small elr.es, playing from a to 12 airs, and
cohiIuk from i to lau& Our assortment comprlaus
such choice melodies as
"When the Swallows Homeward Fly."
"Kvening Souk to the Virfclu,"
"l a Manelllalse."
Home, hwet Home."
'KuiiBt Wall., tc eic.
Besides beam 11 ul selections from the various Opera.
imported direct, aud for sale at moderate prices, by
FAltlt & BHOTHEIl,
Importers of Watches.etc,
11 llamtbrpl No. 324 CUESMJT St., below Court
Ko. llol UHKWNUT Mtreet.
E. F.I. NEEDLES & CO.,
AT THEIR
NEW STORE,
N. W.Corusr Eleventh svatd Cbesuut
OFFER IN THE
HOUSE-FURNISHING DEPARTMENT,
2000
FLOOR CLOTnS, AIL LINEN,
AT 1'7.
smw .math-nun in" '.
FRENCH STEAM
BCOUEING.
ALDEDYLL MARX & CO..'
NO. ISH SOUTH ELEVENTH STREET
AND
HQ, 010 RACE SXHEET, '"mi
48