The New York herald., 1869-06-14
LIBERAL CHRISTIANITY.
The Rev. Warren Fl. CudwOrth at the Cooper
Institute.

The Rev. Warren III. CudwOrth at the Cooper
Institute.
The Rev. Warren H. Cudw0rth preached his In.
augural sermon, in answer to a call to become the
minister OF the congregation that worshps in the
large hall Of the Cooper Institute, under the forms
OF liberal Christianity, every Sunday, at the usual
hour. About 500 people were present, to whom the
committee addressed communication, speaking in
high terms Of the reverend gentleman. saying that
'his devoted spirit, his Christian fervor his ripe
experience and his unsparing labors have singled
him out in the judgment Of your committee, as emi
nently the man for the place."
After the usual preliminary service Mr.. Cudworth
came forward and spoke upon "Regious Matter OF
Life as well Faith; what it Is, and how to get it,"
Religion said he, thrives In all crowded and culti
vated communities, and assumes as many different
FORMS and partakes Of as many different creeds as
there are bells and voices to sound Its praises; and
God forbid that / should speak against any kind OF
religion In the discordant sounds Of the bells and
in the earnest tones OF the clergy they cannot have
harmony perfect concord. This diversity is not con-
fined to religion alone; enters into politics. where
public issues divide the people into great parties
and petty factons into art where each school cham
pions its own peculiar views OF beauty; into music,
where melody and harmony become subjects for
diverse opinions; into literature, colleges OF
physic and schools Of logic where men as.
semble yet to agree. Should these differences
be evelled, and should we by system Of elevation
and depression by appreciation and reduction, make
all religions the same, stagnation would result and
there is enough Of that already. Therefore let this
dscord In spiritual matters continue, and In Gods
own GOOD day the truth Will appear, around
which every human heart will centralize. You have
your beliefs ana mine; let US adhere to them
according as our eonsciences direct. The gold.
smith would not give his green apprentice the de-
licate mechanism OF watch and direct him TO re-
PAIR 1t; neither would we give the brickayer an
order for bricks and mortar, and expect
him to erect q mammoth building, nor
the ship carpenter oak and spikes and tell him TO
sara Taa your S iessonsp These things Would ali be de-
sirable to consummate the general idea, but they
are not enough OF themselves TO effect the specific
purpose. The master mind must determine when
to proceed and what IL necessary for the process.
SO with religion. All Of you have sS some Many, Many,
PERFECTION and many, again, have only gone
half way-how far 1t must rest with the great God
to decide; Religion means great "a deal. Its true
glance to COD, as in the case Of the
enters everywhere; II Is bound by no creed and
finds but half expression In all worship; among
the high and the low, the rich and the poor, the
strong and the weak the stubborn ana the penitent
1t is power; Its PRONUNCIATION, It's glorious teach
ings, its sweet consultations are not confined within
the walls OF any church or monopolized by any
gust forms and stately rituals, but they inhabt all
Conditions OF life. The Prodlgal SON when he found
SWINE; Paul first felt the spiritual instinct on horse
back; Peter reentered the fold while fishing; Lu-
life, and Constantine was moved while sitting be.
meath tree by an invisible voice, that SAID
Take up ana read" and he Old take
example that remains. Religion Ia too wide IN Its
grasp too Unsuitable In spirit and too omnscent In
wisdom have any definite boundaries. We should
cultivate ~ IN our business, remember II our plea
sures, make 1t part OF our natures we should
have with us whether In conquest or oefeat amid
all the trying struggles Of fe and not practice or
pretend TO practice II upon the seventh day alone.
Prayers and church services are good, but these
should not be a; we must carry the spirit OF reli-
gion into everything, and at all times Bear In mind
That we must not be particular as 70 the kind OF
aud crazed man, who has not tasted
a mouthlui for many day. food is
particular dainty. Hewants food whatever it's Kind.
aud true religion regardless Of its earthly character
isucs. II must be mad to combat wicseduess aud
tions, and TO bring out everything angelic IN the
human breast. young lady said TO him, some
years ago, when he was yet young that she had an
| ugly, perverse nature, when TO me all external ap-
pearances Indicated sweetness and serenity did not
believe her then, but should now for the other day
| / sew man VINO admitted that he had been IN hell
all day; he was ofa strange make, bad ugly, morose,
and at times the devil predomInated and good true
were shown the SILENT invisible forces OF religion,
day by day struggling for the mastery with the In
his evil propenses VINO drives out sin and the con-
sequent misery s greater than Grant at vicksburg,
sheridan al winchester or the great General under
the apple tree at Appomat0x, for greater Ia he
that ruleth bis spirit Than he that tsketh city,"
Therefore help yourselves because God helps those
who help themselves To conform TO existing
crecds is not important young Catholic said 70
me the other day, after candid talk on the evi-
dences Of Christianity, that he was liberal Chris
tian, but still adhered TO the requirements of his
Church. This is wen. 10 s all that ~ necessary.
Believe what you please, but study the truth and
emulate the life OF Christ. whether here In this
nall or beneath the unclOuded sky wihout whether
In the solitude Of your own hearts or at the shrine
IN weakness IN strength, seek God, and His
jestic power will screen you and protect you amid
inc tuinulta q yOur daily lives Cherish oh cher.