The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-03

The Fight Of Faith-SeYmon by the Rev.
X. 3. HnrrOwcr.

Il. >. turnover.
Yesterday was Communion Sunday at st. Luke's.
in Forty first street, Sixth avenue. Nearly all
the congregation approached the holy table and
received the Eucharist. Six new members were
brought into the fold and offered the right hand OF
fellowship. The sermon, by the presiding pastor,
Rev. E. s. Narrower, was an elegant exhor-
tatiOn, particularly applicable to the day.
He took his text from ]. Timothy, VII,
l2-"Fight the good fight OF faith; lay hold
on eternal llfe." He SAID there seemed to
be fitness in these words for the day. have given
the right hand Of fellowship to several dear friends
not only in your Names but In the name too,
trust OF the Great Author and Finisher Of our faith
To-day, too, we not simply 10 form and magma
ton. but in fact, to receive and give new proof Of
oyalry and sympathy with our living Master
Moreover, it is the season Of relaxation. Our re.
ligious life takes on less OF form and order, and we
are easily diverted. The fields, sky, rivers and
mountains and seas are more IN our thoughts
Pleasure and comfortable conditions engage us. 1t
is well TO remember that we wear
AN INVISIBLE ARMOR.
We are soldiers. Both for sakes and for the
sake Of Lord we have the good fight OF faith to
wage. There are possessions which we may have
by faithful warfare A whole continent Is the prize
and The present occupants are wild beasts. The
warfare Is against them-'the world the flesh and
which are sure to consume all the body and soul II
possible, stand in our way. There grudges, am.
btions pride or indolent love OF ease to
do their hostile work against and
there remains the headstrOng Evil One,
giving way to whom is to throw up purity and
peace and Heaven. And how shall they be van
qusheds Only by a committed wllI-zeal for Gods
glory instead OF personal ambition, an humble de-
pendence on Gods gracious help. '.Such Is
THE FIGHT OF FAITH"
m ~
the use OF it, there are two foes We are to fight with
all zeal-viz., sin and despair. These two are the
and tigers which waste the land Sin ruins the
sinful and despair ruins even the good. How SIN
does It's work you will see If you renect
now the good are given up to faint hearted
partial or utter despair. Against these foes, sin
ana despair, the Christian is TO make war like
words He must MAINTAIN pure life. He must cu-
tivate hopeful and inspiring habit OF thought. He
lie. Now the temptations that endanger the purity
OF the soul are much the same to-day that they
been in all ages OF material prosperity.
IT SEEMS LIKE FANATICISM
to say the world Is an enemy to God; but remember
what history tells us about this in the ancient
nature ana nature made no difference between the
good and the pad. So men We're religious even
nature; but we do get enarnored Of prosperity.
He set our hearts ON gain and gold. There
to distinguish between morality and religion,
to look lightly upon lies ana injustice, holding re.
llgiOn 10 be prOpriety or form and merely
tnOdOx belief. There are special reasons to-day
why all men should set their hearts upon purity OF
lie. the corruption which prevails among public
men is sure 70 send its foul poison down through
classes OF society. 1t Is easier TO cheat, to lie to
DEFAULT, with these things always before our eyes.
And what Is true OF Official corruption Is true OF
faseness everywhere only the child outdOes the
father. In view OF the dangers OF the age, the
dangers OF every prosperous age, exh0rt you to
special care in maintaining pure life. Apply
THE ITuURtEL SPEAR
OF Gods commandments and the example Of Christ
to every doubtful motive in life. When temptation
comes remember that every sin is a record In the
SOUL which IS yet to be brought out when memory
applies her mystic power. Be pure, be true. Let
The sentinel standing at the gate o. POmpeii when
example TO u.s. His work was to do his duty, and
he did 1t. 1t IL also important to
CULTIVATE A STRONG HOPEFUL HABIT OF THOUGHT
Try to cultivate 0 sense OF immortality, not that
we are to live in the future, but rather more and
to work In the present, to take interest i'm
proving this world. Still must not forget our
destiny. man may not live in his tower; but let
immortality he like q mountain OF vision. Gather
strength, too, from the certain friendship and SYM
patty OF God.
There's a wilderness in Gods mercy,
Like the Wilderness Of the
There's Kindness In His justice,
Which Is more than liberty.
There IL place where Earths sorrows
Are felt than up heaven;
There is no place where Earths failngs
Have such kindly judgment given.
II our love we're but more simple,
eshould take Him ut His word
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord.