The New York herald., 1871-03-06
FIFTH AyGxuE DUTCE REFORMED CHURCn.

The Christians Race for EvcrIastiag Life
Sermon by Rev. DR.. Ormistou.
This ediHce. situate corner Of Twenty.ninth street
and Fifth avenue. was, as usual, crowded to repe.
tion yesterday morning by o large and fashionable
audience. The deacons and ushers have as much
as they can 40 to ind seats for those who come =
hear this popular preacher. Before the delivery Of
the sermon DR.. Ormiston requested the members AZ
the congregation as ON act OF courtesy that when
ever they attended service In the church and had
room TO spare In their pews to escort some stranger
tnither. This would be
coMMENDABLE ACT OF HOSPITALITY.
DR.. Ormston selected his text from Paul's Epstle
to the the Philippians, Ill. 7-l2 verses He saia
that one OF the pastimes in which the ancients dc.
lighted to indulge was that Of racing. The spec
tacles and scenes witnessed there were the moss
magnificent and exciting that ever kindied the On.
thuslasm Of man. From mere amusement 1t grew
into an absorbing passion and on every occasion a.
the kind the immense amphitheatre was crowded to
excess by the elite Of the land, who Game to watoh
the runners who we're engaged In friendly contest
for the gain Of
TIE MUCH COVETED PRIZE.
There was race. in which they were all enga ged.
far noDler than rhau which we had just alluded to.
Angels and men were the witnesses, and the Judge
Himself upon the throne was to act as the dispensek
heroic struggle. The apostle was man OF great
experience In the Christian race dc always sc emod
strange to hear him uttering sach words a. "if !
may apprehend that Ior which also am sppre
Already perfect" says Paul THESE words showed
buoyancy and hope and irrepressible energy. Near
-. ,,, tn TnE ..;a;, GLoRIEs OF OF NOBLE II Lra
words. Many Q Christian to-day was burdened
with sense OF his past failures IN the Christian s,
wants. To-day, down In midst OF gloom. tney neve1
think where 70 look for comfort. Notwlthstsndina
ps na ms Sy s
there was more for him to learn much more fos
him to do. He knew that all his past trlumphs were
THE FIRST FRUITS OF GLORIOUS HARVEST,
THIS ; was right. christianity is was race; and ne
stil follow after tue prize Abraham. Jacob. Isaiah,
JOB David, Moses Peter, Paul aud John, though On.
showed in their writings s. q anu I acsons That sSsS
never ceased to progress In the divine hie IL waa
Of things Humility always followed . sense q
danger! or unhappiness. General humility was .
very element Of spiritual lie. We must not be con.
tent with
STANDING STILL IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
They must see TO 1t that element or activity is In
fused Into It. Past joys and experiences are not
enough. The experience Of yesterday 3 not the JOY
must stir him up still greater exertons for the fu
ture Runners don't look back; 4 they did they
ana run the race successfully we must
INITIATE Tue EXAMPLES OF THE RUNNERS.
Tnclr conversation, tnelr intercourse and W08-
dr0us gift OF fnterless0ry prayer must he moro
largely avalled OF and improved. There must be an
end OF that formal reverence often to be seen In
churches Were they finding in word, dogma and
sacrament what God designed they should 1ndi
They must live IN the future as Paai
did The runner looked straight ON for
the prize. Their highest condition was to
aspire not to rise above heavenly pleasure, lofty
desire to get something we have not got Tho
Christian sitting down satisfied with wnat he ID
settles his DOOM They could not be holier than
they were; they could not be more useful than they
were Strive on as best they might there would
ALWAYS BE ROOM FOR IaroyEMENT
In their spiritual health. 1noy would loso nothing
by their endeavors to perfect themselves In Chrts,
tanisy and Christian virtues TomoTow's sun
would rise upon holier soul. and year hence they
would see that they were better In spirit health
than they were to-day. They should
LIVE FDh TIE WORLD
and run the race, knowing that the eyes OF the
world were upon them. lie wanted to believe in
the millennium sometimes, when this earth should
bloom with more than Edenic beauty 1t was CON.
Ing up the steps or time. God was coming, and
they should run the Christian race until they mes
Him and received the prize.