The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-27
AMERICAN FREE CayRCg.
The Spiritual Life-sermon BY Rev. Charles
rs. Smyth.

The Spiritual Life-sermon BY Rev. Charles
Is. smyth.
Rev. Charles Il. Smytn, who was forced 10 leave
his church because he declined to yield hypocri-
teal submission TO the puri,auical structures
of his Presbyterian lambs, in regard 70 his
manner Of dining on Sunday, preached ycstey-
day at Masonic Hall ~ the usual hour. His congre-
cation, though apparently full Of al,h in their pas
tor, ana earnest In their determination uphold his
secession, was small In numbers. only ten worship
pers, n fact beng present. This however, had no
effect whatever on The reverend gentlemen, who de-.
livered an able ana carefully prepared sermon, In
which Biblical tradition and practical common
sense were equally apparent The SUBJECT OF the dis
STRUGGLE OF A CHRISTIAN LIFE
from st. Paui's episte TO tie Philippians, ill., 49,
i4--"Blethren / count not myself TO have APP.
IreheAdsd; put this one thng do, forgetting those
those things which are before, press toward the
mark ior the prize OF the high calling OF God" In
these words St. raul alluded to the great Olympian
games, which perfectly familiar 70 We minds Of
oa'S n sAsR 81 a ana y r M sS9s or
word. Perfection, ne said, cannot be attained at
once; III 1act absolute, snless perfection is not for
ms NE Of probation, but Tor the nture lie Of beat
cies and temptations III the path OF CHRISTIAN that
u Is Impossible to be absolutely without impcrfec-
ton ~. Paul was always a truly good man, who
carbed his evil proponsies and devoted himself to
ngid Carrying ont OF the
OBLIGATIONS OF THE JEWISH OBSERVANCE.
Esen his persecution OF the early Christians was
but the effect OF misguided ZEAL and when finally
ms ewes were open a AMI he felt himself calel 10
preach The Gospel oil Christ the Nazarene whose fol
lowers lie mad heretofore prosecuted, no dan Ter or
SUI elihg OF punishment, however bitter, could deter
nm IRON spreadins the knowledge q the true re
atianaole by man In this lie certainly this self
sacrificing Apostle should nave attained It. Yei he
does not consider himself perfect He tells las that
ne lorgeiS those things which are behind and reaches
after those things which are before. This should
convey wholesome esson 10 Christians.
ALL MEN ARE IMPERFECT,
all men are sinners, but they must lei their sins
behind them and strive 10 aeqnme true religion.
tered on q Christian life. BY joining the Church
they have taken the first step but much still lies be
Tore henl AS the sun, spring ng up IN the eastern
horiLJl, gradually rises until he pours his vertical
beams on the earth, Is the life Of Chr stan rising
ever upward until lie atans the shining GIT OF
glory. IeInptat ons and trials beset the CHRISTIAN
al every step, but Instead Of mourning over their
past sins. watch would only lead TO espondency,
they should press Onward and pray for the assist
ance OF God u guide Their progress. This Is the
great lesson contained in the text-to press onward
in the contest. Christ himself says, 'The Kingdom
oil heaven suffers violence, AID the violent carry 1t
ol.n This Is very true.
A LIFE OF SIN is EASY,
accor Ing to the incna ions OF our corrupt nature,
pa NE oi virtue is an uphill struggle. Reaching
forward implies an efort and this Is the true prll-
c'plc OF Christianity. some are content TO walt
patiently and let religion drop mo Their laps; but
ili; is no. the correct idea whlch should uence
those who desire to be truly piou5. God says,
''woE TO THOSE WHO SIT Al EASE IN zioN,n
and ST. Paul, In the words OF the text, forcbly in.
cucates the necessity !or energetic action. Tie
CHRISTIAN has enemies % conten az linst-the cor
rup;on OF bis own natare, the assaults OF Satan,
VINO goes about Ike roaring hon seeking whom lie
may devour; the eva assocations by which he is
lead him back into the paths Of iniquty; but he must
fight on forgetting the evil that he has lett behind,
and reaching forward TO the glory " hich is before
him. press towards the goal for the prize OF the high
calling Of God in Christ Jesus.