New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-26
RELIGIOUS.
cHEERFrL CHRIsrIANr

1.t Of ll.al CHEERFUI. CHRIsTIA ETrY. lt- OH ...
The Rev. Joseph Millikin yesterday deliver
ed expressive sermon In the church Ffthave and
Twenty -hrstst, taking his text EcOIesastes $50 T
Ros % Young Thy ysg and l., d, .s1It cheer Thee
Light q thine eyes bat for all these things God vi
He said Other ideas are collaterally wrought out in
Eccesastes but the central leading argument OF the
book this Nothing earthly car give to the
soul real peace. Power cannot doit nor wealth. nor
wisdom; courage and tact in wardng of evils nor
and prudence in the requirement. nor enjoyment
Of the vast and varied even sOlomon's
command This whole earth lie not enough for the soul
The only solace and the only peace for II must
from living not much for what life for what it is
preparation for What 1t has TO offer are TO take
and enjoy gladly. the gifts OF LIVING
the good glft 10 the infinitely better Giver.
There three leading theories for the conduct Of e
and always though often uncOnsciousy, act
ing theory there three corresponding kinds Of
Ves man need not to be declared atheist practea
genuine faith in God Most men do not live a. II they
sponsble TO ever living alseng God. for their
OF LIE and the accessories ana opportunities
d1a S Sn n % DO as don't ss asS bother Sg
self about another world but to get all can Gus Of this
thought and avowed purpose OF most and
women. Many who humble over the Apostles or Hcene
less thoroughgong Atheists in real faith as daily prao
tee can explain what see in the world IN no other
tain My brain and my sinews have to thank for my
and podR in sOSs my bo@iS m az boo
my my fruits my flowers: my pictures my skill na
plan. My Eden planted and my Eve I won OF course
In the beginning God created the heavens and the EARTH
ther nse OF Cod What are His law His love- His Cos
pei His church. to met will live own hfe work out
my look out for myseh and when die take
what comes mere goes for good time tell you this
not msnhaterS sketch from some exceptional mon;
obedience God do the lives OF most Of those know
display Then there IS the ascetic theory Of life Here
lieying It TO be truth, and the wrong .. . ...."
10 be right. must not be spoken Of a
Of the deliberate choOser OF darkness and eyli
cult TO describe briefly what mean by ascetlclsm so
mean that theory which makes merit Of and bases
claim TO- the Joys OF Heaven upon oylessness and self
mans natural love Of the comfortable the cheerful the
delicate the beautiful the elegant; that theory accord
gwen. aud DO enjoyed after life OF pur-
posed aud selfbrought chillness beakness pBgeniay
Jesus .ST ' ever made of himself most genial
furnished the wine OF the wedding banquet that
theory which would nay tries to- make Of life for all Of
us what monasticism, shakerism. and that other ism
which repr0yes Christs first miracle, making 1t for
many soul TINS day 1900 years after his servant Paul
commanded stand fast In the glorious liberty where
Indicated the theories OF practical atheism which takes
the rs part OF the text as giving license and toerating
lawessness and denies all responsibility ana OF asce
tiOn aud threatening OF punishment. But there Is a
third theory which Is that taught by the text This Is
tho substance OF IT, and 10 young how cheer
ing H. how It strengthens steadies braces up the inner
In spite OF trouble ycKations aud yantles you
feel that Il glorious live after all That spirit is truly
thoroughly In accord with the Gospel But one thing
You not your own and our POSSESSIONS your
faculties and your enjoyments the Gift Of who
holds you strictly responsible for act and thought
God and God judges and his justice Is as absolute
as his goodness II infinite. AZ your behefactor, He
claims your thoughts: your God he claims your ODE
dence s your Judge and rewarder you must remember
Him and honor Him in all you do. BE happy for such is
the will OF Cod and such Is the nature OF man That
take IT, IA tho teaching OF the text And what havoc 10
makes OF the two OF beliefs have mentioned, the
Goddess aud tho Asceuc theory.