The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-21
LEXINGTON AVENUE METHODIST EPISCOPAL
CHURCH.

SeIl.Sntisaed Christians Stirred Up-Sermon
by the Rev. *. M. stratton.
large and respectable audience tiled the above
fashionable church, situated on Lexington avenue
and Fifty-second street, yesterday. The ordinary
number Of worshippers was augmented no doubt
by an advertisement In the papers that the pastor
would preach on "The Regions Beyond" Numbers
OF Christians imagined that this referred to after
existence, and consequently came with common
curiosity to see what the other world would be,
thinking that they would be waited on the wings Of
boundless ministerial eloquence alternately to the
realms OF heavenly bliss and the fathomless
depths OF
INCoMPREHENsIBLg DAMNATIoN
Great was their disappointment on finding that
the terms "regions beyond" applied to the fields OF
missionary teachings. and not TO our aerial exist
ence in future sphere. The sermon was preached
in aid OF the Methodist missionaries now prosecuting
their work in all quarters OF the globe. The reverend
gentlemans eloquence was slngularly well adapted
Tor such a discourse, appealing 10 the charitable
sympathes Of his congregation with wonderful
depth OF feeling, bringing home his arguments, and
strongly portrayng the glorious results oil charity
The pastor took his text from Second Corinthians
K, l6-'To preach the gospel IN the regions
yoa and mot 10 r beast d another
These were the grand principles held by the
apostles, nstiled into them by our Saviour and
handed down to US to guide US In ministerial and
missionary capacities The apostles were not satisfied
merely to preach the word to the same congrega-
ton, like ministers nowadays; they went abroad
everywhere preaching and teaching;
THEY LOST NO OPPORTUNITY
OF doing good In those early days OF Christianity
OF followers OF Christ mad TO work harder and
suffer more Than IN the present age. They led lives
Of trusting faith III the good work they were engaged
in-ceaselessly active, ana seldom deviat-
| ing from the course they had chosen for them
| selves Led on ana upheld by the greatest
ttincrant preacher that ever lived, Jesus Christ,
| they entered heart and soul into teaching
| the Gospel, and firmly established that basis
| Of Christianity on which to-day we firmly
! stand. What noble example have mlsslona-
| ries always before them What an honor to think
that tsers Is the profession adopted by The saviour
OF eur tune done their work; for, behold, at this
moment iii every land known on the globe, they are
| ut work Their lives, indeed, resemble that OF
| great Master-beatea to-day, stoned tomorrow,
massacred in CHINA, eaten mp by cannibals
| THEIR BONES LIE BLEACHING ON EVERY SHORE.
From Africas desert plans to India's rocky noun
tans and lceand's frigd q ne have the voices Of
our missionaries been heard, breathing the spirit Of
| the word OF God given to us lS00 years ago. This
| Is precisely the type OF man that CHRIST chose
| when he took the twelve apostles--men who were
| willing to 90 anywhere and do everything Tor His
cause, even tolay down their very lives. Now in inc
eyes OF God we are all Misslonariesa this vast as
semby see before me-and how are ye fulfilling
Gods wishes when lie has appointed yeu 10 such q
positioni DO not imagine that TO save your souls
nothing Is TO be done except come to church regu-
larry and listen TO sermon with praseworthy
complacency. That IS a selfish Christianity which
will not do. If by putting with conmendabe reyu.
larity a ten cent stamp on the plate you Imagine
that 1t goes TO purchase
| A THROUGH TICKET TO HEAVEN
| you are labortng under most grievous delusion.
1t Is necessary for salvation that parties calling
themselves Christians should lead lives of scease.
less activity always laboring IN the Lords cause
and aiding to spread bis great and glorious word Y