The New York herald., 1870-09-19
UNIVERSITY PLACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

ssComing to Christ''-Serm0n by Rev. Dr.
Booth.
The Presbyterian church In University place Is un
doubtedly fashionable resort for those who feel
inclined to devote some time on each recurring Sab
bath to the worship Of the Lord. The air Is laden
with the perfumes that float from the ambr0sial
locks Of the dandes who lounge in the various pews
with gloves OF the most fashionable tints on their
aristOcratic hands. while fair ladies rustic in silks
and velvets, cut according to the latest Partisan
STYLE. An unmistakabe air Of languor pervades the
entire congregation, with the exception Of some
vinegar-faced old maids, who have nothing to live
for but religion. They do not seem inclined
to take very much trouble about work
ing out their salvation, and would evidently
prefer tnat the minister would take this RESPONSE
bHty on his shoulders In addition to the duty OF
preaching the word Of God. Even In the sermons
there are indications Of laxer spirit creeping into
the communions which would have wrung with all.
guish
THE DARK, STERN SOULS
OF Calvin aud Knox. The rigid dogmas OF predesti-
nation which used to strike terror into youthful
hearts, are not thundered forth from this seat of
modern Presbyterianism, but In their place conso
ing, sensible doctrine preached well calculated to
bring converts to the church. The sermon yesterday
was really an admirable one, eloquent, rorcibe and
rsdoleDt OF the Scriptures The preacher spoke from
the w0rd "FOrget the Things that are behind, and
seek those things which are before" These words,
said he, contain an eptOme OF conversion to Christ
Conversion implies turning to something, and as
used among Christians it means turning to God.
choice OF Christ above all other things and conse.
quently turning away from the things OF the
world. The soul that does not experience religion
is Ia most ptiable condition. In most cases men
who do not belong to any church are slaves Of their
passions and lead life Of sin. For them the dread
fu yet mercu words Of Holy Writ ''There Is no rest
for the wicked,n have fearful significance. Their
cOnsciences are perpetualy racked by remOrse, and
until their hearts are completely hardened, until
they have wholly given themselves up to the evil
one, they are filed with terror at the dread future
This remorse is lnstilled into their hearts by God in
His infinite mercy, and He never ceases knocking
at the door OF their souls to gain admission and
bring the erring ones back to the knowledge and
love OF Himself. But many who do not practise re-
ilglon are not actually bad men, Mayhap they DO
not violate any OF the moral obligations, they may
be good fathers, good husbands, and good neigh.
bors, they may relieve the wants OF the suffering
poor; but as far religion Is concerned they are
Indifferent. This word indifference is a euphemsm
which conceas countless evils and In nine cases out
OF ten might more properly be termed
IDOLATRY.
BY this 1t Is not meant to be conveyed that like
the pagans OF old, they bow down to Idols OF wood
and stone; but they place before them the great
object OF their existence. the inspiring motive of
their every action, some purely material good, and
So III time, forget The author OF their being and
gect to give Him that honor and worship which Is
his due. Some men make god of money. All the
powers OF their mind and body are devoted to the
accumulation OF wealth, and, in too many cases,
even questionable means are employed to accom-
| psh their end. Waking every thought is bent on
tins purpose and in their dreams they revel in un.
told riches only to rise next day with increased de-
termination to pursue their course These men
say that they have not time to attend to their
religious exercises that religion is all very we'll
for women and idle persons. but that men OF busi
ness have something else to attend to, Fools they
forget their eternal destiny; they look not beyond
| the Meeting things of this world and spend their
| days In the worship OF money, only to ind at the
end that all was vanity and af1ictlon OF spirit.
| Others again make ambition their God. A longing
for power, for exalted position. 1or authority takes
possession Of their souls and everything Is sacri-
feed to this eager thirst for fame The lives of
are reckoned as worthless, provided they tend to
elevate them one step; all crimes are considered JUS
tilabe In the pursuit Of glory; ana, in q word the
miser's love OF gold, as compared to this vaulting.
ALL-ABSORBING PASSION OF AMBITION,
is but as the light OF nckering taper compared
with the light of the sun. Witness some of the
pies OF this passion in tire pages OF history. See Al
exander the Great longing for worlds to conquer;
| see Napoleon the Great sacrificing millions in
his mad attempt to sublugate the whole OF
| Europe and In our own times Napoleon the
Third beginning his reign by deluglng Paris with
| the blood OF the French and ending ingloriously
| while Europe ia cOnvulsed with terrible warfare.
These are the more exaggerated forms Of idolatry
| which prevail among so-caled Christians at tn e
present daY but there are many other causes arising