The New York herald., 1871-01-09
POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE.

Sermon by Rev. Hugh Smith Carpenter.
moderate sized congregation was in attendancai
yesterday upon the ministrattons Of Mr. Carpenter1
After announcing his text-"Go through tho
gates''-the preacher said:-In ancient times and I'M
Oriental countries the gate had much sigI
niicance for not only the households but
the cities were shut In by gates. There.
was no going anywhere without the,
opening Of gates There is point of entrance into
the kingdom OF heaven here on Earth where a good
hope distinguishes itself from false hope. Therd
steps Of approach to this gate but 1t is misl
take suppose that because the steps are gradual
the point Of demarkatlon Is any the less fixed,
There is great deal OF religion at,
work in the human heart that is indistinct Peo1
pie spend years in serious consideration negotatnga
with CONVICTIONS making spiritual experments;s
they read the Bble pray, are interested in certain
ministers. These are preliminary stages-outsidei
stages. All this
PRELIMINARY RELIGION
is OF moderate account. Many are near the king
dom of heaven, yet they are as much outside az
those who are far away. Christ is the gate, and
one pretends that men are all bad alike. ID
makes but little difference whether one dics
he dies. Men who are outside Of the Gospel are
without hope, no matter what varieties OF unbele9
of sin Keep them away from God. The weak
they enter the appointed door. Many people try a
iooh "hAAO w ou.hu w eneAl AASheSouehO'I
before coming. II am the door," Christ says 1t and
He means 1t. How unnecessary any more res
ligiOus experience, by which we mean q
Struggle between following Cnrist's call and
THE DOUBTS OF THE HEART
There are diversitleS after we pass the gate anfl
here should be recognized the principle upon whcil
should be built the catnolicty OF every Church. ID
must be believed that there are often weaker mem
In the Church than some who outside. In a
rebellion there may be often found braver, n0ber
men among the traitors than among thea
royal hosts. There are those VINO 60 limp1ng ON
their way to heaven. But II these weak ones have
passed the gate, aud with the friends OF Chrlst,
they are to be distinguished from those whe are on
the enemy's side. We believe, OF all the dinerenq
patterns OF Christians that we shall be saved alike.
1t Is enough that We enter IN at the straight gate
There is a gate of glory, but to enter this we musd
pass the gate OF death. This gate we may not sed
through till we ourselves ar ready to go through ID
finally. We know no more about dying after watch@
Ing the exit OF the dearest one Those who 60 make
no sign o. the glory into which they enter. That
realm Is Kept closed as the door Of house IS kept
closed, that when is opened the hospitality may 6
more apparent. ;
aoD KEEPS HIS couNsELs SECRET.
and In His good time opens the gale OF mystery-thes
gate OF destiny-the gate OF glory. On this side
shadow, on that side substance; here reflections.
there realities; struggling here, there free and
strong. Darkness disappears when 1t seems the
deepest. We are only here to walt till Christ bios us
come. 1t Is but a little way for most OF us. ca
steadily and patiently. Go through the door.