The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-17
CHURCH. or THE MESSIAH.

III 80 mt P0iificiaas-t,r in lish Plnces-
SeEsnon by the Rev. George III. Hepworth.
Notwithstanding the fact that the religious market
h just now well supplied with preachers who have
gained emnence m their profession, the Rev, Mr..
Hepworth Is not only eloquent and learned bur
very original holds the position he at once obtained
when he took possession Of the Messiah pulpit as
one OF the foremost OF metropolitan pulpit rhe
toricans In c0ntradistinct0n to the sleeping sfep
herd OF focks who wake up once week to yawn
out the purport OF their weak bat pious dreams Mr.
Hepworth IL q live preacher He knows and under
stands the Bible. but careful to distinguish between
the force and value OF letters In the form OF epstica
addressed by St Paul to the Romans and the gen.
eral direction given In the Testament, which apply
to the citizens OF New York and all the modern
civilized world IN other words, HIS nina Is un-
clouded by bgotry and untrammelled by conven-
tionalty. He places himself In the van OF this ad-
vancing age, firmly treads upon the rising thorns
OF superstition. and, regardless OF the assaants OF
the claims OF Christ and the rights OF man, presses
forward. Any religion or system Which is antago-
n site to the spirit OF this enlightened age gets no
mercy from him. II is not therefore, extraordinary
that he should. IN the discharge OF what ne believes
to be his duty, lt
POUR PioUs HOT SHOT
into the ranks OF our corrupt politicians. His
church yesterday was crowded to excess by q
very attentive and perhaps very devout congrega.
ton, many OF whom were not members OF the nocK
but who were attracted by the advertisement that
scence.n Their scnsa1onal expectations were not
disappointed, as the following abstract OF the SER
AFTER THE USUAL SERVICES
the reverend gentleman took his text from John viii
s. being convicted by their own conscience He
mysterious faculty whose function is to make us
happy or wretched. as our lives are vlrtuous or
vicious No man can get wholly beyond the reach
OF his conscience He may cover 1t up beneath q
pile OF excuses Tor wrong doing; he may
even SET about TO prove logically: for that
that a mans conscience IS only q myth; still he
cannot chase away his desire to have its approval or
his fear Of It's condemnation. Men Of bad lives have
almost stned their consciences, but not quite sue
ceeded In Kidding themselves OF the troublesome
visitor. for such men are always harassed by the
fear that the world has found them out. They have
no peace they enjoy no resi- they 1--we IN state OF
chrome fear, and even In their dreams the gnostly
and grim face or the sheriff II always peerlng about
TO lind them. This conscience is at once best
friend and our worst enemy. Do right, struggle for
em ana a. thew are revsaea o s emd
OF rest steals into your life, the whole world
brighter TO you, and everything tends to make you
c0ntented and happy. Conscience Is thus the ruler
PRESIDENT OF THE SOULS REPUBLIC,
IT IL the emperor OF all spiritual dominion. IL will
God sent Christ into the world to tell that the first
duty OF all our faculties OF our ambition, love Of
money or ane Is to elect conscience to the supreme
place. Sometimes our avarice, or our desire for
revenge or our selnshness, usurps the power, and
AS when an adventurcr by some bold coup d'Gtat
dethrones the rghtul lord, and putting the imperial
robes ON his own shoulders wears them
A BRAGGARr AND TYRANT.
so when conscience Is untroned the whole life runs
10 waste. But there Is puplic conscience that
needs cultivation and care as well as an individual
conscience Frauds Of the most demonac character
are every day perpetrated by public officers. and yet
Christian community takes no note OF the 1act
whatever. The good man reads his paper ut break
fast table and as his eye runs over the hOrrd recital
OF crime In high places he merely shrugs his
shoulder, as III TO say, told you so, and that Is
ALL DO the men, the strong minded CHRISTIAN men
OF this city appreciate the fact that the power 10
deem New York from the hands or politicai and ju
dical Phfstines Is really In their keeping Do
they understand that 1t Is Just truly their duty
TO II that honest are put into high places as
II Is to sec that their own clerks and statesmen are
men of character take IL tina: as' #
19 THE PUBLIC conscience
IL very elastic. II tell you, Christian friends, that
you who SIT here aud listen to my words are partly
responsible Tor this state OF things you Will shake
your heads In doubt. But my words true. II ~
the fault OF the strong men Of this city that New
York IL plundered every year. the best men IN the
community are responsible for the actions OF the
worst men. You could turn the stream OF the
public indignation and cleanse these Augean
stables or city politics II you had the mind to.
Wnen the conscience OF the individual Is properly
cultivated the public conscience Will prick us to
sense OF onr obligation In these matters.