The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-19
CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH.

Drifting About->The Current OF PonuIar
Gpinion-Sermon by the Rev. q. III. Hep.
worth.
The moist weather OF yesterday seemed to inter-
fere somewhat with the attendance at this temple
OF worship last evening Nevertheless there was
fair and undoubtedly devout congregation present,
WHO listened to the words OF their popular pastor
with evident qualification. The pastor undeterred
by the unpropitious weather, was promptly on
hand, and delivered, was promised, sermon
on the peculiar subject OF "Driftng About"
Mr.. Hepworth's text was taken from ST. Johns
Gospel, l., 46-"Come and see." He said:-This was
very pitny and pertinent answer, and 1t was the
only one that could offer satisfactory solution to
the doubts Of the questloner. Philip was full OF
enthusiasm for his Lord. In his heat he went TO
Nathaniel and told him that the long expected
Messiah had at last come. The good man heard his
friend very patiently, and then, struggling his shoul
ders, said, with the air Of one who by his dictum
puts matter beyond all question, 'Can any
good thing come out OF Nazareth? ?" How alb
surd to suppose that the Amounted one would
hail from the most obscure village in the
country. or course he would come from Jeru-
salem, and be heralded by numbers OF the
rich and the literary classes. 1t enough to con-
denim any man mat ne sholld start from such a
place "a Nazareth. Philips answer was the answer
OF plain practical man. He did not attempt to
argue the matter. He simply SAID, 81 do not know
WuelLeF IL SHOULD De 50 OF IOC
ONLY KNOW THAT TT is so,
and If you want to know, too, why, just come and
olples OF Nathaniel have been very numerous They
have stood on The outside or Christianity, ana with
critical eye have locked at and into II. They have
measured its pretensions. and logically settled the
matter in their own minds that from the nature of
things the Christian scheme OF salvation can.
not be divine revelation. God. they say, Will
not go out Of His way In order to tell what they
cannot find cut for themselves. He works by law;
He always has done so; lie always VIII do SO. We
Know what the law Is ana how 1t works. and
though great many men believe in revelation and
an interference win law. yet they all Mistaken
for such thing is not possibility. have heard
all this thousand times. So have you. 1t is said
more frequently today and IN this practlca age
bllty OF the argument and ensnafed into Infideiy
these peop They are beer sked IN "tS e w OF
the weapons OF logic than |, and yet l always
nave ,S ae +, sna say s
JUST COME AND SEE FOR YOURSELF.
am sure that ne who sits at the feet of Christ just
roas revelation has been made him. nU and TS
and hereafter But you ask me why is It that Chris.
uanity has not converted the worlds lit is what
You say 1t Is, why has II not taken possession OF men
and compelled them to see it beauties Well, the
answer Is not far or II is easy enough tolead horse
can compel him 10 drink unless he is Conscious Of
thirst God never takes possession Of man and
or vicious. lie is free TO go to heaven to 20 to,
hell. will also ask you one question. Why Is 1t |
and honesty arc the oaly known paths to happiness,
men care SO little about being just OF hones' 1t is
because
MEN DRIFT ABOUT,
now blown by the wind OF personal ambition, or |
vanity or seinshness, and now by their physical |
passions or their hatred. Men are not like u snip,
which, starting from Its mooftngs, kceps its head
towards ne opposite continent by night and by |
work IN the woodland TINS IL what our churches |
are for and what Christianity Is foris to keep them
In mind Of their ultimate destiny and make them act
accordance with II. Just as IN the broad
there currents which will, unless the captain is
on the watch all the time, drive the vessel out OF her
drltt men about and make 1t hard work 10 reach the
opposite Shore The most difficult thing IN human |
experience i TO nave an ; am' a prncpe and TO
their CONVICTIONS
wuHr STRONG CURRENT PUBLIC OPINION is.
cannot tell how many miles an hour it runs, but |
know II drifts men out Of their course. There |
are quantities OF men who are Unitarians orho-
dox IN their naive towns who become Episco- |
paans when they come to New York, not
so much from conviction as from the bias Of public
opinion. Men like to GO 10 q fashionable or pow
eriul church, and they change their religious garb
as easily as the tailor changes the cut OF their
clothes. Then, how many men there are OF sensi:.
the church for fear some one Will laugh at them for
making profession OF religion. Or they say. ooh,
into It," Wen, are there not bad men in the worlds
Why, then, dc you stay in IT. There was once
A SCAMP IN HEAVEN,
and they had to gather their forces and turn him
out. II you believe IN religion, then say so. some
times think that Prolestants are more ashamed OF
their religion than the Caiholics I have seen an
ordinary Catholic walk the deck of the steamer
prayerbook in hand IL had gone up to Elm and
said .sir, DO you make snow OF your religion
SION, but am not ashamed OIL my religion" think
We are TOO often ashamed 10 be seen saying our
good. Now, what you want Is to lay your course by
the stars and then be seadfast IN purpose Look
yourself and there will be nothing TO fear