The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-01
ZION EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

Enter We In mt tho Straight (aate-Who Is to
be Damned S-Sermon by Bishop Southxate.
In this church, situated in Madison avenue and
Thirty-elghth street, the congregation assembled
for divine worship yesterday was far from filling
the spacious edince. In fact, twice the number
present could be very well accommodated with
out any inconvenience. The choir OF this
church are deserving OF special mention for
the exquisite harmony OF voices and the
artistic manner in which they performed the
more difficult portions OF the service. The tie Deunl
was rendered In beautiful style. tine heavenly notes
OF the grand organ and the me0dious voices OF the
singers swelled through the aises with soul-inspi
ing reverberatiOns.
Bishop SouthgaJe ofiicated during the service
after which he preached short but Impressive dis
course, making up for the brevity of his remarks by
well chosen sayings and good common sense which
must have done more to animate the religious spark
In the minds of his hearers than lengthy theological
discourse of an hours duration. He took his text
from the thirteenth chapter of st. Luke twenty
fourth verse-'Strive to enter in at the straight
gate for many, say unto you, vii seek enter In
and shall not be able" The gate mentioned In the
text Is the gate OF Heaven, where we all hope and
expect to be admitted after we have departed from
this earthly sphere But there are many even In
this congregation who may arrive at that gate and
be refused admission.
II human beings could only realize
THAT DREAD MOMENT
when 1t will be their turn to knock at the gate
and it Will be opened by the Lord who Will say unto
them, sect ye hence; know We not,n they would
certainly be more careful o. not breaking Gods
laws and would try TO 1--we that when they knock
at tue door II would be opened unto them. ct We
all know that we have to 20 through an ordeal we
cannot plead ignorance OF. On, no; the Gospel has
been preached To us ana we are pointed Inc way
to obtain admission through the straight gate. he
ours the crime II we neglect the mandates OF God
and con sign ourselves TO
EVERLASTING DAMNATION.
Let US for a moment imagine a long passage lead
seeking adinls ion. BEHOLD here is the man who on
earth persuaded himself ne lived u good Christian
llle he knocks. and Is told, ~ know not vino you
"But, Lord, l nave eaten and drunk in my pre-
sence." Tie gateKeeper replies Depart hence,
you are worker OF iniqulty 1t Is not sufficient that
you should have said Lord Lord, while on earth to
OBTAIN ADMISSION here" Then snail lie be cast back
into that crowd where there shan be weeping aad
gnashng OF teeth. 1t Is not enough Tor people to
come TO church h regularly and maSe pre,enGe Of
living q cody lIe or course,
MIGHT BE BETTER;
but then there are lots OF Others worse than me-"
This viii never do. Tor ye shall then be all damned
together. TO entltle to walk up boldly TO that
gate and Knock Tor admission ana be let IN we
must lead gouiy and righteous lte never neglect
ing an opportunity OF doing good always cnarita-
bic, klnd and towing the Lord. What must be the
feelings OF the outside thrOng when they the
chosen ones going into that palace OF bliss and
eternal happiness. entrance to which Is dcbarred to
them Tie angel OF COD VIII stand with Ills naked
sword guarding the entrance so that none slip IN
unawares. IL Is only ri2ht that God should guard
the entrance to HIS heavenly Kingdom. lie gives
eternal bliss and unreasonable happiness II We
walk In HIS way While on earth, but fIe distinctly
tell3 us that We walk not in HIS path lie VIII have
none OF us: so 1t would be mani esy unfair TO the
who live righteous and sober lives ana reap The
reward OF their lab0rs by gaming that prize with
which all the riches OF the earth cannot compare n
the ungOdiy or wicked should attain TO the same
glorious and happy future. VINO will be the chosen
guests? Let us ask ourselves The question, are We
TO he let in OF are We TO be thrown out to wander
through the dim ages OIL eternity with that
QUENCHLESS FIRE In OUR BODIES
with carktng care and ceaseless Iemorse consuming
cur very WHAT'S ever and anon turning up our eyes
to that celestial palace OF eternal happiness where
the angeis live forever In JOY and from which We
have forever debarred ourselves admission Oh,
the picture Is awful-the thought Is awful, and let
U.S. In Gods name, seriou ly turn eyes to heaven,
and by our iives and works IN future try and make
ourselves acceptable in the sight or GOd Re-
deemer.