The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-10-02
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Importance of Prompt Discharge of Duty
Fay ,uaster Hodge and His Coafession--Our
City Thieves and Their llEnier -Sesmcn by
Rev. pr. Merrill Richardson.
There was a very large attendance al the services
yesterday morning at the New England Congrega
tional church, corner OF Madison avenue and Forty
seventh street. An exquisite voluntary, most ar
i.stcally played on the organ, By Lir. McRae, the
accomplished organist, introduced the programme
OF worship. and then, sandwcned between prayer
and reading selections from the Scriptures, followed
some spcndia singing by the admirable chor-Miss
Mayer, soprano: Miss Macomber, alto; Mr. Alden,
tenor, aad DIR. Jones, bass. And then came the
sermon b. Rev. DR.. Merrill Richardson, the popular
md eloquent pastor. His subject was the
PROMPT DISCHARGE or DUTY,
and the text from which it was ceduced, Jeremiah
xxi. 12-"O house Of David, thus saith the Lord, Ex-
Gcute judgment In the morning" The meaning of
this Is as soon as you see it, Aiusion Is here made
TO courts OF justice, which he'd in the morning
The judges sitting at the gates OF the ctr were
hear the grievances OF the people and adjust their
wrongs. IL was 10 be done IN the morning; done
promptly and impartiaily. Early IN the day the
head IS clear, the Judgment sound. In degenerate
times the judges delay their decision i'm hope OF
gain or 10 favor parties. This IS dangerous and
often fatal 10 justice. II gives time for sinister in
judgment. 1t is essent al TO iull effect He applied
This to the necessity OF listening 10 Gods VIII and
ding It without delay. wisdom has declared that
TIME AND SEASON FOR ALL THINGS
The great poet has sand
There is a tide in the an airs OF men
Which, II tascn at It's fooJ, eats on 10 fortune.
There are exigcIcics in the life OF individuals when
ndecison may be as fatal as wrong decision. Delay
osl Of study Business
marriage, promotion For wan, OF pfolnptness the
whole OF the future lie has been changed. mo-
4 ~ nj n (
erty or wealth Tor life. Want OF decision, 10 say no
under temptation has ruined many young man
has been the beginning OF downward career.
AFTER dwelling upon this point al considerable length
he touched upon the subject OF foresight and now
the same would destroy The interest and discipline
OF life. and tncn went on TO show that one thing is
certain, that the real life,
THE HIGHEST LIFE,
need not be lost IN any condition, lie showed that
God was good in viruc lapl mess and con-
ientnient are found IN all circumstances. sioral
wrong oasis Its shadow before. IL warns before the
deed. The signal OF danger Is hung out. One Is
thinking OF wrong indulgence, or falsehood or
cheating or perjury or fraud days before the act.
Ais moral sense revolts al the crime. lie knows the
wrong. lie knows me ri2nt. dis convictions would
lead him safe. striking instance o. this Is
PAYMAslER HODGE, .
million Of government money. HIS confession
step. Where DUTY Is concerned we have sufficient
foresight and insight " cannot see all the results
Cf wrong ana crime--the fuii remorse the pain OF
exposure, the horrors Of the PRISON OF raloWs tie
whole misery OF wasted lie. GODS voice within
~
be made. such decision " yuld save. Every COM
hunity Affords examples OF the iuil consequences or
vice and SIN.
WARNING EXAMPLES or NEW YORK
are abundant to-day. ana the results OF crininality
In pubic hscias are api aren't 10 every one The
beginning az al evil course Is Ike The letting OF
water. IL leads 10 Death Bad men wax worse
aud worse The wicked are taken IN their own
Enare Alter this brief allusion 10 Tie present mud
alleged recuauons fparies nigh in power, lie urged
die III cur munigipal affairs as growing out or the
upon al he mr., lance OF yelling 70 the nrst con
a.t,i5ns q dqly as generally best. lie nexlQrgea
Tie morning OF lie the ss-i seaseQ lQr lligiou5
convictons-promptly TO carry tlem Out. Abahdop
the sin now felt Take up the duty now clear. Such
convictions are always true and always OF God.
Delay 10 act upon t.eai Is 10 resist Ills will. once
10 know duty should be TO do H.
or all sad words OF tongue or pen,
The ssddesi are these 1T nj gsl have been"