The New York herald., 1871-12-18
ST. JAMES, CATHEDRAL.

Who Art Thons-A Question for the Christi
ian to Ask Hmseii-Heirs or Heaven-ser.
mon by Right Rev. Bishop Iau9hlin.
Right Rev. Bishop Laughlin preached at the Ca
thedral, Jay street, yesterday forenoon, taking for
his the words OF the Gospel Of ST. John, L. Is to
20. inclusive. He spoke In substance as foIlows:-
"Who art thou?" These words. which were ad.
dressed by the Jewish priests and Levites to the
Apostle st. John might well be applied TO each OF
his hearers. "Who ar. thouT' We are Christians
We reply We were born children OF wrath through
the sins Of our first parents, but have been regen-
Grated and ceansed from original sin through the
purifying waters OF baptism. We are. therefore.
Christians, members Of the Church OF God and
heirs and joint heirs Of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ 1t Is impossible, with our weak and
limited understanding, for US to comprehend
the great magnitude OF this fact OF
our heritage. In order 10 understand
what is really ours through the Divine arrangement
we should have knowledge of the grandeur
beauty and endless majesty OF God and the eternal
Joys OF heaven. we should as, know OF the terri.
bic punishments which await those who violate the
laws OF SO loving and just God When we learn
Of one who has been poor in the things OF this
world, of one who has beea perhaps an outcast and
has suffered the misery Of absolute want coming
adopted as the heir OF person who is possessed or
largo estates, do we not at once say, "How Tor.
uniooked.ior accession of wealth How grateful
he must feel to his benefact0r ~ Now. II one 80
benefited should turn upon MS benetactor ana act
tile prospects OF continuance OF further patronage,
aud risk the loss OF the estates wled 10 him, would
not say that such conduct on the part OF the
heir the height OF folly, that lie must be insane
to jcopardlze his position In the eyes Of his good
friendY Certainly we snould denounce such con-
duct thus broadly and do so legtmately too.
Now, II the action OF an earthly heir calls forth
such condemnation, what are we TO say OF
who, having been made heirs OF God for the enjoy
aG% Of e IN and s
inn IL THIS vora, r., Tns Gnurca S.ad = dns 'ns
we are the members As such members We become
great. being made after the image ana likeness OF
God. Our divine Lord came upon eartn, was born
In humility and suffered that He might enrich the
members OF the Church which He established. Az
has stored for us IN the sacra,nents Of the church.
He strengthens us with HIS body and blood; and
blood apideth in Me and I in him." Thus we see
who we are. We are members OF the Cnurch OF
Church contains all the graces and blessings which
arc requisite for our salvation and the enjoyment
OF our heritage Ali THIS is according 10 the Divine
WHAT ARE WE OF ouRsRLvEss
Have you considered, indeed, that you were 70 10,
herlt the treasures OF Jesus Christ, and labored
accordingly. that you might be worthy OF 50 great
gift as That OF hls nelrf He who makes the Will,
and alike return 10 dust; but tho Eternal Father
VINO wills our redemption can never dtc, and there
fore our heritage will be eternal. Have you con-
sdcred that you were q member OF tue body OF
which Christ is the nead or can II be that you nave
God and pandered to the evil 0ne-succumbed 10
the temptations OF tho devllf Have you ned rom
inc path OF rectitude and rushed blndly away from
the light OF truth purity and devotion, which alone
can procure for you tie enjoyment Of your heavenly
neritagea How can you 30 forget tne dignity , ior
winch you are created2 q CHRISTIAN, how tnou
arI fallen fallen from the right to which you are
entitled by being practical member into SIN. fou
have degraded yourself BY
OPPOSING THR DIVINE ARRANGEMENT,
By the bad treatment and dtslcspect wnlcn you