The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-01
CHURCH or THE MESSIAH.

The Unilar:an Idea OF God--Sermon by Rev.
Dr. Hepv0lt:i.
The Unitarian Church OF the Messiah, Thir fourth
street. OF which Dr. Osgood was formerly tie PASTOR
was filed to its utmost capacity yesterday morning
by u fashionable congregation, the preacher being
the Rev. George II. Hepworlh, ana the subject "The
Unitarian Idea Of God. After the usual services the
reverend gentleman announced his text as the
twenty third verse OF the second chapter OF REVEAL
tlon5:-
and will kill her children with death, all the churches
that he which scarehet the veins and hearts,
and VIII give unto OF according to ills works
Introducing his subject with sharp commentary
on the doctrines OF the day, the preacher dwet at
considerable length the fact that in most churches
the people taught to regard the benefcent God
as cruel and remorseless Being. Puritanism, born
OF blood ana OF the swords point, revepgeful and
merciess. permeated the churches Of the reformed
religion, and the principles aud passions which pre-
vailed at tile time when witches were burned on Bos-
ton Common ana Christian women were whip.
ped tor violating the Mosaic law, tnctured
the doctrines taught from thousands OF pulplts
in TINS Christian land anu Ia this enlightened CEN
regarded by these fanatics and the GOD Of Love was
pictured as a despot ana tyrant. What more
cruei-what more tyrannlcal tlan the charge II
you have not believed You must be damned. How
many thousands are driven into infidenty by these
airocious doctrines How many say, II this Is the
Goa to whom am TO bow the knee ! would
rather go to he'll tnan obey him The preachers
mother was Ia the habit of saying, when
reading the LORDS Prayer she stopped at the words
She felt as the character of Goa was explained to
her, that HIS VIII was as lard as iron. IL may be
said that the world Is getting more enlightened In
tha respect, aud perhaps 1t is: but the system
remains. 1t 49, indeed wonderful that III this
enlightened age people should retain the unwhoe
some IDEAS OF past centuries respecting the Deity.
We have still in the churches outside the Unitarian
system OF rewards and punishments taught. God
is represented as saying:-"lf you 40 well you shall
be rewarded. If you do wrong VIII burn you up.n
Illustrating this by reference to mundane matters,
tho reverend gentleman quoted Franklin's motto,
that "honesty was the best pocy.n This principle
OF being right because 1t Is polite Is, when adopted
by any man, proof that dishonesty would be more
congenial If 1t was as sale. It's prevalence among
our mercantile community is an element of insecur-
Ivy. Put that man into "corner" and see now he
VIII act. Most OF our great bank dealcatlons are
ness men, Many men there are VINO are not honest
from policy but who possess sense OF honor,
knowledge that GOD regards them and watches
their every movement these act right IN all their
transactions, whether gold Is high or low. Those
who act the "nolesty the best poicy'' rule SYM
pOze the Calyinists In their idea Of God heaven
for the good, he'll Tor the bad; but those who are
honest and right IN all their dealings, because
they feel that God Is watching and Culd-
ing them, represent the Unitarian idea OF
the Supreme Being. The reverend preacher said
that with ul knowledge Of the Importance OF the
statement he had hesitation in declaring that the
world was at the feet OF the Unitarian Church, lis
tenng to the truths OF Christianity as they came
from Christ Unltarianism insists, in spite OF the
terrible doctrines OF the churches that God IL good.
The religion that cannot stand the test OF common
sense - wrong and cannot live IN this enlightened
age. We believe not III the doctrine of damnation,
bat in love. UnitarlaElsm teaches that mans best
friend Is the Unseen, and that the only true motive
to urge you to duty Is that God smiles upon you
supports you in sickness and poverty ana spreads
The greatest power in human life Is the love Of God
and he Is our Father who arr i'll heaven