The New York herald., 1871-01-16
FREE csuRCH OF RECosCILnTloS.

Sermon by Rev. Mr.. Briggs-Asceticism W.
n Life Duties.
The muggy, murky atmosphere, which Is almost
invariable in causing small church attendance ana
a majority OF ry-sanctimonious-vlsaged audt.
tors, had not these effects yesterday at the Free
Church OF the Reconciliation, Thirty-Hrst street,
near Second avenue. The Rev. Mr.. Briggs, the
pastor, preached upon the text "Be not conformed
to this world" &c. The reverend gentleman COM
menced by saying:-Here is q charge given us by
the Apostle that to worldly mind is open to severe
criticism. man Of the world might say IL ID fool.
ishness to ofrer such advice to individuals who,
though members OF the Church, are not excluded
rom temporal necessities. If they would succeed
they must recognize the conditions under which they
1--we. The Christian must perform the
WORK OF LIFE
with everyday energy and shrewdness. Commercial
and social customs he cannot ignore; for II he does
he will be left behind the times defeated and de-
spsed. But this criticism and others like It miss the
true meaning Of the text The passage may seem
paradoxical to the superficial MIND but 1t can be
seen In many passages Of the Word that God seeks
awaken the thought Of the careless by dictatlnr
precepts which seem In opposition to the well es-
who uttered what was given Him OF the Father in,
dulged largely In this method or instruction. Ills
quences TO the text before They the deepest
truths OF the Gospel and illustrate the principle OF
manly CHRISTIAN living. The text does not call Tor
needless sacrifice or formal severance OF earthly ties
whose character God does not condemn or outward
assuming Of virtue and ascetlcism. Repeatedly IN
letter OF the Gospel and ignoring the spirit have
s HIDDEN IN CAVES. s.0 sGE 81
or shut themselves In mOnaSter1eS hoping therebv to
WIN the favor OF Christ and to receive the seaI and
pledge OF personal .sanctty. These have despised
social and public festivities But we know that they
are lar from correctly interpreting st. Pauls mind
No man despised more heartily Than he formal pre-
tn aud hnu lfurn M S~t-1
more cheerfuly every element OF pure and earn
est humanity. He has taught that non-conformity
does not forbid the marriage bond. We see from his
writings that devotion to Christ is compatible with
events Of life. We see in our day the best men Of
every community are those who, although sur
founded BY influences Of selfish and demoralizing
The ascetics OF the anciento Church, and
perhaps The Purltans ana Quakers OF the modern
dong Gods service by breaking tneir connection
with the ordinary customs OF social life. History
shows that external severity Of habit does not ami
passes away it IS hut the negative quantity IN the
go ARITHMETIo OF HEAVEN.
society. Tue evil tnat St. Paul had in his mind is
not IN the display that wealth Affords but thrives in
sure and industry are takon away from GOD and de.
voted 10 selnshness. Sefshness is the god Of this
things ana ignore the spiritual that nature obeys
and regulation ADDRESS. This Is the error against
wnlcn 81. Paul warned the converts to the true
faith. Rome was the rank embodiment OF its lite. And
yet her example We find faithfully followed to-day.
Wordness Is the mother of every ylce for its initial
life Is the putting away OF all thought Of Christ and
eternity. The reverend gentleman continued by
saying that the exhortaon Of the text was not for
the rich only-those who are tempted by this
worlds abundance-but for all who ieel themselves
drawn by their cares and surroundings TO forget
their duties as children Of God. All danger to the
probty and strength OF the Christian character pro-
ceeds from the heart Not until it greves the Holy
spirit by careless desires and dispositions Is there
danger TO Its peace. When Christians are drawn
into giddy style OF living ana thinking they are
conforming to the world-when they lena willing
ears TO idle stores which society deems the salt OF
conversation but which are full OF the deadly SAVIOR
current sayings tnat are as l.0
ARROWS OF POISON
into the regulations or their unsuspecung neghbors
IL is not difficult 10 assign them stations outside the
brotherhood OF Christ.