The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-01
FIFTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHUR CN.


Comfort Those WHO Stand tho Threshold
Of the Church-Sermon by Rev. DR.. Arini.
tage.
At the Fifth avenue Baptist church the pastor. DR..
Armitage, preached very eloquent sermon yester-
day morning, taking FOR his text the twelfth and
thirteenth OF the fifth chapter OF the Acts Of
the Apostles. wherein IS mentioned the wonderful
things performed by the apostles, ana the fact that
although the people magmned them they burst not
join them.
Dr. Armitage commenced by saying that this
would probably be the last Sunday that many OF
them would worship there, as, In accordance with
New York customs, they would soon change their
residences for the season. Some had been there
year and had become members OF the church, while
others who have been attending there for a long
time have not joined the church. but stll IN the
'porch OF the temple" To this class purpose adj
dressing my sermon this morning, combining my re-
marks TO the privileges existing In connection win
union with the Church Of God. You are like those
described in the eleventh verse. "A great fear has
come upon your You remember only how Judas
was shipwrecked and how Ananlas and Saphira
sunk. You
FORGET ENTIRELY HOW MANY WERE SAVED.
In business, In your every day lie, you are not
deferred because others have met with misfortune
failed to succeed. You natter yourself that with
care and circumspection you will attain to emnence;
but IN matters OF religion-matters or SO much
importance-you are afraid To make an at
tempt succeed, because others have JAILED.
/ must confess that have great deal OF respect
for those who stand upon ne threshold OF the
Church and hesitate about entering from q sense OF
their own unworthiness; they are Impressed with
the importance or the step wnlch they contemplate
taking, ana. knowing how weak and errlng they
are, refrain from Joining. one OF these persons
will tell you:-"Why. know my own strength:
have measured the extent OF my determination, and
/ am certain II should Join the Church would not
ha nhfn "a liup atvyavs lhriGf 10 al n.
should be tempted and would fall" This umdlty
may, however, be carried too far, and then II be-
comes sinful. II you were mariner you would
not lie prevented from crossing the broad Atlantic
though a thousand wrecks might cover II; no, In
deed: you would weigh your anchor. spread your
sails and set forth on your perilous journey undis-
mayed bv
THE TERRIBLE FATE THAT MET THE OTHERS,
trusting to your nautical skill and the strength OF
your vessel. Remember what Joshua SAID, ..Utners
may do as they WILL bat and my house viii serve
the Lord and reenter the temple as the sun In It's
glory enters the window IN the morning. after being
hidden IN ine oark hg1. 10 you no. Know .at
Christian life new strength vii! be given youY
Just as the man who was supposed to have no great
force OF character develops into a 81 ng-mlnded,
resoute man when the hour OF trial arrives; so the
Christian becomes strong and resolute In the hour
OF temptation. He does not fight aone-"They
that wait upon he Lord shah renew their strength"
And again We are told. call upon me IN
the day OF trouble, / shall deliver thee: thou
shalt glorify me, and no one pluck thee from
my hands." The idea that those who die are gone
from us Is harsh one. How much pleasanter to
believe tnat their spirits hero watching
ana attending US through life. The Scanonavians
believed thai when warrior fell upon the field Of
battle his spirit remained and took part with his
brethren In the combat until the end. so
OUR FRIENDS, THOUGH DEAD,
are with us. When the Man OF Sorrows was appre-
hended one OF his disciples drew his sword to defend
HIM; but our Lord babe him desst, saying, ''iut
up thy sword: thinKest thou could not pray 10 My
Father, and lie would send lie twelve eglons
OF Al gels.D Think of that-not a battalion.
angels. II even one had down a.
that time and taken Jesus Christ under his golden
Him. 1t Is mis-, AIKEN idea that many entertain
that II is almost impossible 10 enter Heaven Gods
bright robed pilgrims, awho nave washed their rr,
menis IN the blood Of the Lamb" are thronglng
Of ne saSe HseI e e
white throne. Those gates never closed; all day
long they are rope and IN snt place they have
Their IN the morning at Waterloo. The first one
pressed inc nope tnat ,hey might WIN the battle
The other replied. "Oh, we shall have troops
enough, but should like to nave glimpse Of Wei
lngon."
there are more fighting than on the other side, and,
besides, God has said to st. John, .'Hc'tna Is in
you is greater than he that is in The world" You
remember Ananias and sapnira, and you forget the
three thousand converted In one day aud the five
! thousand converted In week. There are some In
the Church that would be better II they were out;
| whie many are out OF the Church VINO would De
much better If they were in IT. About twenty-five
years ago vessel sailed from this port destined for
Liverpool. ON board OF her were Powers and Cook
man, great actor and great preacher. She was
lost and no tdlngs ever received by those who
had friends on board. Two years ago another vessel
sailed for the same port Like the Inflated President
she was never heard OF afterwards
/ If YOU WISHED TO GO TO LIVERPOOL
tomorrow the remembrance OF what belcll the pas
sen2ers on those vessels would not prevent your
gong, and on arriving there, and while visiting her
docks and gazing upon the wilderness OF masts you
would sec There, no thought Of the fearful tate Of
your unfortunate predecessors would occur TO you.
| Wny then, VIII you be so backward In joining the
| Church; because few have failed all have not
| failed.
DR.. Armtage closed his discourse by fervently ana
| eloquenuy appealing TO those present whose
mohers sisters ana wives already belonged to the
congregation, 10 come forward and become men,
beers OF the Church, to remain no longer In the porch