The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-18
P..YMcUTa DiPTIST CHURCH.

The Dark Side Of Religion Preferable to the
Bright side Of the World-The Contrast
Between the Pleasures Of Sin and the Joys
Of Heaven.
Through the sweltering heat OF yesterday a faith.
full few wended their way toward Plymouth Baptist
church, in Fifty.nrst street, between Ninth and
Tenth avenues, to hear the Rev. DR.. WescOtt dis.
course the contrasts between religion and ungod-
Illness. The particular contrast to which he called
attention was the dark side OF religion and
THE BRIGHT SIDE OF TIE WORLD,
the former being preferable to the latter. The dis
course was based on Moses choice, who, though
surrounded with all the luxury Of the Egyptian
court, "chOse rather to suffer affliction with the
people Of God than to enjoy the plea
sures Of sin for season." hebrews XII, 25.)
The greatest proportion OF our lives, he remarked
is joyous; nevertheless we have sorrow, too for we
live In world OF trouble and trial. Religion has Its
sorrows am It's joys but IN the spirit world there
pne, and there these extreme phases OF life VIII not
be experienced by the same person. 1t is difficult
to believe that the dark side OF religion preferable
to the bright side Of the world but let any one at
tempt to prove 1t in his life and he Will soon realize
1t as fact The Doctor then defined the term s.si,;
in the text which here means not the outward trans
erosion OF law, nor the omission Of moral and re-
llgOus duties, but the absence Of God from the
thoughts and hearts OF men-a living without God
In The world The joys OF the world are such that
man may have pleasure here without troubling him.
u
own responsibility to him. We are
TAUGHT TO BE INDUSTRIOUS
and to enjoy the fruits OF our industry. IL IL not the
manner but the motive Of Our labor that God LOOKS
at and our first duty. as taught not only IN tie
Bible but In Pagan theology Is To live 10 the glory OF
God. But, alas how many there are who prosecute
business, and prosecute 1t successfully, without any
thought CT God They gather TO themselves wealth,
build FOR themselves comfortable homes ana iii
them with all the luxuricS OF this life; they lay up
treasures ana acquire lands ana houses for their
poserty, and enjoy the good things ol this world 10
their fullest extent, but they have never thought
or Cod. There might be some worldly parson pre-
sent who IN Ms heart Is saying, 'Sir, often think
OF God, anu refrain from sins that might commit
dld not so think OF HIM. Let such one look Into
MS own heart and see there whether he does not
avoid open transgression not through any fear OF
Goa before his eyes, Dut because he fears and
respects the opinions OF his neghbors and OF society
But While no Qhe Doctor) thus spoke he was not
opposed TO the pursuit OF wealth. honor fame, re-
spOlslole and eminent positions among men; but
these Should be sought for the glory OF God and the
good Of humanity Amusement, too, has its pleasures
ana man was made TO be amused and 10 ENJOY the
pleasure OF IT, IL Is the abuse oil amusementS that
ls sinful. lew years ago the Young Mems Chris
tan Association added an amusement feature TO
their roOlnSetler bowling alley or billiard tables,
he Knew moi winch. But. whatever II was, Il was
merely bridge thrown across the chasm that sepa-
lates strictly religious life from the DEVILS common
THE SORROWS OF RELlGI0N,
especially OIL the backsler are very deep. But the
nearer CHRISTIAN lives 10 God the keener Will be
biz sorFqws, but ney VIII not 10 Ike those of the