The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-25
SERVICES AT BERGEN POINT.
knowledge and Happlness-Sermon by Rev.
John &. Bliss.

knowledge and HappIness-Sermon by Rev.
John G.. Bliss.
The heated term and the exgencies Of fashion
compelling residence out OF town has naturally
filled the suburbs OF the metropolis with the usual
fuctuating population. The tabernacles conse-
quently are crowded, and at the Reformed church,
Bergen Point, large congregation worshHed
yesterday morning. The heat, OF course was very
great and might have served az an adm0nition
to the evil liver of an unpleasant hot hereafter.
Dainty handkerchiefs were put in active requlstion
ana futtering fans seemed like butterflies on fail
human flowers; mascullnity gasped, perspired and
thought OF cool drinks and shady places But Their
truant thoughts were quickly brought back TO re.
Election soon as the sermon commenced. The
reverend gentleman took for his text 'If ye know
these things, happy are ye fye do Them" and
proceeded TO show that one OF the nallenable rights
of man is the
PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS,
which may be said to be one OF the ends OF his being
In order to this end knowledge is necessary for hap
pness is more mental state than bodily condition.;
SO the latter of course affects the former. 50 in
the history of the world 1t has been seen
that those periods which have been the most INTEL
gent have been the happiest. 1t Is the conscious
ness of this which makes the age in which we live
one OF such intellectual activity; for whatever may
be said by those who would have believe that the
deep waters OF learning flowed only In the past, 1t is
nevertheless true this is age in which thought
may seem almost too free. We live in day when
PREMIUM ON BRAINS
Is put and never was there time when brains were
buster than they are now The bowels OF the earth
are pierced and its mysteries brought to light. The
waters of the lake, river and are made to dis
close Their secrets, and each drop under an empow-
cred vision, almost GodliAe, reveals world in
Itself. The expanse around and above US Is to
be not blank space filled, with only distant Won
ders, but sphere OF we-defned facts, capable to
large extent OF definite record Man, HIM
SELF as the epitOme OF creation, answers his own
study with new Indictment 10 further research and
on the wings OF lightning answers TO the poets
dream Of girdling the earth in forty minutes. The
press teams with publications. legion progeny Of
the mind, 10 know but the names Of which as be-
longing to single year were no small effort, and
what Is true OF scientific Investigations and oonyen-
tons Is true OF general literature The best Of an
Gent lore is preserved. priced and republished,
while the modern mind sweIls the currencyior ideas
by its constant contributions OF new coinage. In
the untiring energy OF
MENTAL INQUIRY
In the vast facilities for transmitting knowledge
and IN the educational system for the promotion OF
learning 1t is evident that these are thinning times
and as descriptive OF Them this passage Of Holy Writ
may BE- quosea many run 70 and d, To- and know
mind be sought 1t will be found that notwithstand-
Ing the ustful lucre-ovlng spirit OF muitudes their
intense seldshness and sOrdldness, there L. com
mon conviction that knowledge and happiness are
inseparable. This conviction IS correct, for know.
ledge has tendency to elevate and ennobe. To edu
cate man Is to lead him out OF himself and up from
o lower to higher level to put him In the way OF
being benefit to himself and a blessing to others.
IGNORANCE LEADS DOWNWARD,
1t degradeS and narrows the mind. TO leave man
under It's power Is to make him q prey to superstl-
ton and vice, which are ITS sure companions The
progress and drars down others with himself There
are, indeed, difficulties and restrictions III the &C.
quirement OF knowledge, which is often at the cost
OF bodily suffering. Its results are attended with
much uncertainty for It's field Is ever widening and
ITS data frequently changing. Much that preiends
TO be science Is falsely so called and 1t u sometimes
hard TO distinguish between 0reQm6 and thought.
fancies and facts.
ITS REWARDS
are many times UNEQUAL Smart SnlatterorH receive
the paudit and palm, while those OF solid sense are
neglected. Pigmies climb into notice and remain
tie crowd. Comparatively much knowledge may
be gained, yet In reality the mind soon reaches
bounds beyond which 1t cannot pass. SO many
questions must remain unanswered, 80 many depths
unfatnOmed, heights unscaled, that, aHter ali its
requirement, the mind is very often thrown
modification at its own llttleness Still there is
pleasure In Knowing what 1t can, and surely there
is O great contrast between him who, familiar with
the languages and writings OF those OF other LANDS
and other days. feels sort OF fellowship with all
men and him who knows nothing beyond his own
Who conyersant with history nrots bv iIs sV warm
ings and forecasts the future and him who. ignorant
Of these, has but his own experience for bitter
have done and instructed by the method and
manner in which 1t has been done, finds himself
rising In the scale OF manhood his burden growing
lighter. and him who, ignorant OF this, keeps on IN
the treadn Of life with 10 aspirations no attain.
ments, his burden all the while becoming heavier.
The present
THIRST FOR KNowLEDGE,
which exists Is remarkable degree, may be ex.
planned by the desire for happiness which underes
H. for happiness to be secured IN the pursuit 81
for It's own SAKE for the practical re-
happiness l,p /; only Of Z e emiS5raav EsHuiiei~
7 loes not emDrac4 mans eternal spiritua
food. No kind or degree Of earthly knowledge can do
his for It's springs, relations results 5S0nE " this
world and concern man as q mortal being There Is
within every man sense, more or less deeply felt,
i something beyond this word--of something
iglCr than this life. He mar be but as - child