The New York herald., 1869-02-15
RELIGIoU s..


sf the Apostle where he counses the members OF
the churches to avoid lukewarmness and levity In
se seryce Of God with spirit and zeal Thoueh the
ministry may be more or less imperfect, and the
manner Of worship IN the churches subject to
tine congregations may still love and serve
God and follow the precepts OF Jesus in
cam never E be misdirected He besought IT. them % not M
TO postpone the duties OF religion imposed by
the Church, but TO bear IN mind that
ever made headway In the world who forgot the
lesson nculcated by the text, whether in religion in
the duties Of life. He then entered into the subject
of Church government, forms and discipline, and
o uaS 10 @
ment he asked but the reaction OF fast fading reli-
gon. II is revolt against false principles, revolt
against spiritual indifference, and, IN the apatneuc
condition into which the Church was rapidly declin-
ing. became o very necessary reform. The changes
IN the form Of worship did not alter the nature OF IT.
The substance not only remains but Is invigorated
and improved. Though some cherished forms nane
been entirely obiterated those that have been sun
situted are better and viii soon take the place OF
old forms in affections. lie concluded by urging
his hearers to practice faithfully the instructions OF
the Church. to revive In their hearts controlling
desire TO discharge with ardor and zeal their reli.
gous duties. and TO observe strictly the lasts and
EPIPHANY EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Rev. DR.. Han preached inns morning al the
nppasap crnwaea tansreration He announced in the
OF the service his acceptance OF the cal 10
oiiciae as pastor OF church IN Brooklyn, =, !;
eaie,r Mathew, seventh chapter thirteenth verse;.
and proceeded TO show that the mere entertaining
OF a sublime faith IN the doctrines OF Christianity
win not sudice for salvation. The example Of
Saviour explained in His divine command TO take
up the cross or sel-denial and fight the concup
,sence Of the flesh and the temptations Of the world
embraces the great duty OF Christian life. To feel
II worth while 10 take up the cross and carry y
uniiinchingly to the end an inward examination OF
,one's own frailties becomes essential, for every
one Is fran and none can say he needs
at first had dreams Of leading glorious life In His
service. They expected Him TO lead them by green
pastures and pleasant murmuring waters. He was to
be ever al peace with the world they after many
long and happy years spent here, were to be .rans
1erred TO happier and brighter sphere OF existence.
Bnt peace such Christ desired TO give, not to
be had on such easy terms as HIS disciples had sup
posed. The peace which passeth all understanding
and the JOY which heaven alone can give, are only
to DC bought by trial and victory over self. and he
who VIII not maniully rise and combat in his place
the evil in his nature Is no Christian and is un-
worthy OF heaven Tnat man stands in a slippery
place who has achieved perfect worldly success He
has gained wealth. luxury and renown and he finds
the world at peace with him and rosy
atmosphere OF bright ancipatioDs around him. Then
II hs danger near at hand and then is he most apt
sustain the Christian warrior in his struggle with
the enemies of his soul's salvation. The temptations
OF life are common things and are daily in the path
way OF every man. No mortal lives who has not In
him the elements OF d1scord; but he who can under
stand wherein his weakness lies and at ali times,
whether IN moments OF silent contemplation amid
the gayety and fascination OF scenes OF pleasure,
Keeps up an ever wakeful guard and crushes the
creeping desire that seeks TO assa the vulnerable
avenue oil his nature is the one who has taken 10
himself 10 tread the narrow path and avoid the wide
portals that lead TO perdition.
FIFTEENTH STREET PRES BYTERIAN CHURCH.
In the course Of remarkably eloquent sermon
delivered this morning at The Fifteenth street Pres
byterian church the Rev. Sella Martin told his hear
Srs thai the priest who pretended to the right to
keep his brothers conscience was usurper, the
Christian who surrenders his right slave, and
, that the system which permits such usurpation
and exacts such submission provoked rebellion, in
cucated superstition and strikes at the order and
progress OF the Church The principles or the Cos
pei are SO clear that the commCnest OF men can
understand them but they are also so great that no
one man can express them. There are two ways
0f rlling men. on way Is by knowing their weak
nesses and managing through them; the other way
III by knowing the strength OF the truth and yield
ing your own powers to It's influence.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
Ihe Rev. :. W. sampson lectured ms evening a.
Christian Association, on the New Testament.
distinction was drawn between reliable history,
founded on observed facts. and its two oppostes,
the epic OF fiction, founded upon fact, and the myn
mere imaginary creation OF fancy. This distinc-
fion was made by the Greeks-from whom all these
words, history, epic and myth are borrowedas early
as the days OF Homer, as is seen IN the Odyssey
Herodotns the father Of CIy aud aristotle Of natu
the records they collect OF established fact OF ex
q egcrated rumor and OF poetic fabrication. Among
l. ie Romans the same distinction was drawn be-
/, veen real occurrences. prodiges ana fable in such
h. stories those OF Livy and Pllny The results OF
h, unan observation. In the fields OF material and
sp ritual truth, thoroughly sfed and brought under
III sse classes are Lord Bacon argues the founda-
tic or science in physics, morals, law and religion
FIRST CONGREGA ATI0NAL CHURCH.
ne Rev. Dr. 9. u. Boynton, chaplain OF the House
Of representatives preac4ed at the First Congresa
tioi lal to-day. nom the words ~ 90 to prepare
MA. ,e for YOU John XIV. 2. Many people believe
tha heaven has location, but Is merely state OF
mn a.. In the preachers Judgment II was just as
ra pna to say that the city OF washington is merely
a 81 Ate of mind. man may have thoughts. tastes
ana. feelings such a prevail IN Washington and yet
by means be in the city. and In like manner man
NAV possess heavenly frame and the spirit OF love
and holiness such as prevail IN heaven and yet be no
resident OF the city OF God. When Christ said II 20
q world OF mere sprits o. Shadows but world pre-
pared expressly BY Christ. where humanity, vital
izcd, euefpized by the ndwelng Divinity, shall find
full scope for ITS powers and free play for its aec
ions, and where every aspiration OF the holy the
rue aud the beautiful shall be completely met and
le whole heing filed with the fulness Of God.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Az the First Presbyterian church the Rev. Dr. Sun
= rand held forth eoquently upon the text, "for
~ the VIII OF God that win well doing ye may put
\ ience the ignorance OF foolish men.n-1 Peter.
Il IS. In the course OF his remarks he said
&C christianity Is religion Of benefcence. IL
es,s ITS cause not upon speculation but upon
&C. Its doctrines. though ever 30 exalted, are not
n h chest and purest forces Those forces 10 he
oupd not In the theories OF the schools nor IN the
itufh OF tne thurcn, pul IN tne sources anu the
frear : OF the CHRISTIAN life. Yet II the truth OF
Fhrg.i anity today depended on the example OF
naiot OF Its adherents its success would be defeat
nj In ey cry forum on the lace Of the earth. The
iash,ors bic religion or the time Is az far removed
rom iha Of Christ and his apostles any system of
reiqops faith or practice ever known In the history
IN he 70 rid. The infamy OF men out Of the Church
4 deeper ough, but that which ~ going on inside Is
far deeper II Is an Augean stable whose nlthiness
God oniy noWk.