The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-05
eHynCH or THE MESSIAH.

A Sermon by the Rev. Mr.. Hepworfh-Our
Nearness 70 GGd md the Necessity of u
Close Relationship With Him.
The attendance at the Church OF the Messiah was
unusually large yesterday morning every seat being
occupied before the Rev. Mr.. nepworth took his
seat upon the platform. After the usual quartet had
been sung and the preliminary exercises concluded
Che reverend gentleman proceeded to address the
congregation with mis- accustomed eloquence, select
ing his text from Deuteronomy xxXv., GAS thy
day ls, so shall thy strength be-" lie intended, he
sald To speak to them upon the most important sub
ect in relgon--the nearness Of God to man and the
possible nearness or man to Coo.
The text as a word or promise as well as a word
OF comfort. Nay. more; it was a dogma OF theology.
1t was word Of comfort 10 those who are afflicted,
troubled or borne down with WORK and toll, and O.
word OF promise il we could apply it TO ourselves
and take it as u method to gam strength; ana 1t
a dogma Of theology, because 1t implied the nature
or the method. There was no despair that did not
change to hopes HARD worker that truth did not cu
tivate, and no experience by which the soul may
not be TRANSPORTED. Scientific men told us that
they could take single scale Of q fish, or a bone
fIcm an ANIMAL and from these reconstruct their
whole systems. SO 1t was possible to take one
tence from an authors book anu from 1t
ascertain the entire feeling that pcrmeaies
the werk. This would give q clue TO the
Intentions, designs or purposes OF the beng
who mad penned IL; as bitterness never comes from
loving heart neither can loving expressions ema-
nate from soul. 30 he took his text clue
10 the designs OF Cod toward mankind. The fact
that with Coo rested all knowledge OF future events
enabled us ~ experience cneerfulness such as
would be unknown to us IN HE II we were c0gni.
can't OF everything that wond happen. There is
no SUCH THING AS CHANCE
Now, both you and l are seeking for truth, and
sometimes we ina 1t very dinicult to get. In this
world. where our experiences are croSsgraincd we
can never Law our plans with certainty That they
will succeed. This was 3 subtle truth, and some
who took 1t found u strengthened their sous-as ex
ercise Strengthens the muscles. Sometimes were
set down aud felt miserable, feeling careless OF
how matters succeeded whether things went right
wrong. But, first or all, and In accordance with
the cXt was not right 10 be careless and ndlYer
ent; 1t was because we looked ut things in wrong
light and mans Relationship with God was an error
80 long as nc viewed matters IN that way. We stand
In own light, and 1t was no wonder that we did
not see God AS faras we can interpret the instruc
ton afforded rs il Is our duty to
CULTIVATE AN INTIMACY WITH GOD.
We must each have personal communion with
or Of nations or as father OF the world III bulls, but
look upon God father 10 every distinct individual
an existence; tnnk OF Him as peculiarly father,
almost as child TO It's parent for such lie Is and as
such He watches over US and our interests from
month to month and year to year. we
are bold TO maintain this relationship tell
Him all eur needs, claim what lie mas
promised--ior lie csnnot break His word
any mere than suspend the operation OF law-we
shall alm0Sl hear His voice as ne assures OF His
remembrance OF us, and will give US, net perhaps
all we ask, but what ought TO have. Moses
only communed pleaded and argued with his
Maker but he told Him OF His promises Of blessings
| ance OF the pledge There was, he SAID, AS IL ap.
peared TO HIM, TOO much theory and sacrncial cle-
ment in eur relgien. We Sometimes look upon Gsd
| as being so great and wise and good that
/ WE SILVER AND SHAKE
/ when we come into HIS presence instead OF speak
| ing Familiarity TO Him, would TO friend.
| This was because we did not see Him Alright. In
| olden times there was certain commercial
idea connected with seeking benefits from
on high. rich Hebrew would say, II VIII give
so many bullocks, or pigeons, or gold If God Will
confer upon ME certain gifts or heal my friends &c.
Was this horrible 10 think or IL was saying to
God give us SO much Tor 80 much barter. Moreover
II was.the
VERY NUCLENs or PAGANIsM.
But it YVES not till Christ came, eighteen hundred
years ago, that this sta,e OF things ended and
man taught TO look TO Him one who loved HIM
better than lie could love himself and VINO though
Gil powerful, did not, like human king, use the
power he possessed 10 wound and lacerdte his feel
ings, but TO lead him to the way OF salvation.
Secondly, God Is not only ours, but we are His. We
frequently blame ourselves for little things reckless
ness ana criticisms, NC. II we would but remember
our duties 70 God he would draw nearer 10 us and
we should be more in harmony with Him. The dis
coruant notes should not exist. We must
/ get close 10 Him and lie VIII get close TO us.
Get outside Of yourselves. We were born to
noble inheritance and heirs Of Gods He
cannot anu VIII not deny us our rights; He will take
us out OF darkness ana doubt and land in light
and confidence. Like the little girl who leaped
from her bedroom window in the dark Mt the sound
OF her fathers voice, so must man believe and act
In Implicit confidence in God IL Is We'll Tor us that
We 90 not realize future events. five were told
that in a few days or years some beloved friend
would be removed we should become the most
Wfetched of beings. Faith holds the curtain, and
IN due time God viii draw IL aside 1t Is because
God is 50 KIND that nc hides The future from u.s.
After happy illustrations OF the Importance OF
attending TO The business OF the day and leaving the
morrow and It's business TO God, he concluded by
earnestly imporing his hearers TO study the ac-
quaintanceship OF their Father in heaven to live III
confidence, AID as their days III Him, 50 would be
their strength.