The New York herald., 1871-02-06
CHURCH or IT, M sSsIAa.
Right Actien Better than Right Belevings
Serm0 ON by The Rev. DR.. Hepwoxth.

Right Actien Better than Right Believing~
Sermon by The Rev. DR.. Hepworth.
me attendance at this church yesterday was not
quite as numerous as on other days, but was
still creditable in size and those comprising 1t
evidently devoutly intent proitlng by the words
OF admonltion and explanation given by their
popular pastor.
Mr. Hepw0rth took his text from st. Luke TX, o.
mo man having put his hand to the plough. and
looking back is lit for the kingdom of God.n He
said:-The text does not mean to imply that man is
excusable for not putting his hand to the plough at
oil. 1he apostle was not q man OF compromises.
He intends to say that every man is bound to con-
scientousy consecrate himself to right living and,
having done so. to keep hts vow at all hazards. You
will notice again that 1t Is right acting and not
simply right believing that Is demanded, You
must
PLOUGH UP YOUR WHOLE NATURE,
turn Its soil up to the sunshine then plant, then
till and be patient, II you expect to get and keep
the goodwill Of the Almighty. There are some men
who seem to think that 10 accord with certain for
nations to believe certain dogmas, is quite enough
They pray to God on sunday, and then prey on the
world all the rest or the week. These only pre-.
tend TO nave religion. They are Pharsees always
talking about religion and
HUNTING UP HEaEsy,
with more than commendable vigor, but never
showing IN their lives the honesty earnestness or
their iaith. Th1s mere pretence Is only signbcard
telling the public what kind or goods you have
within. And as the merchant whose only stock in
ments while there are really no goods within Is not
likely to dlo rich man, so the regionist who IN
slcker Tor this or that form or creed, Dut loses
sight OF the manly attributes which command re-
spect Is likely 10 be bankrupt IN the sight OF God.
LESS PRETENsIoN AND MORE HARD WORK
rB "Bat" & y1n say "how are we to get hold L. OF THIS
Is no mystery about II. II Is simple enough to be
understood by the lowiiest heart Watch the
natural growth OF soul fromsinfancy and You will
are certain tendencies towards what Is rlaht and
certain other tendencies towards what 10 wrong.
never saw chid who did not do what is wrong
just as naturally as he did what rignt lie In.
herts, undoubtedly, those predispositions to evil
from the past. They have been accumul ating ever
since Adam was driven ont or the garden. No man
can deny the existence in every heart Of
TRANSMITTED DEPRAvITY
But as childhood weais away and youth comes on,
Or as youth gives place TO early manhood, the soul
led OF God longs Tor that peace which only the con-
sclouSne ssS oil accepted allegiance TO Heaven can
glve Long months of sadness, OF self examination.
OF halfformed resolutions, follow, and then. with
body soul ana mind 10 The commands Of Christ.
what struggle that IS thnk the angels must
look down in anxiety and suspense. But The mind
once made up tho man Is really converted-tnat l.,
instead OF having
that Is definite. or, instead OF having low or I'M.
worthy alm he feels tina; he Is to do Gods work anu
that ,a, he mas become IN some special sense Gods
denomination you belong to- You must get your re-
lglon In that way. You ask me II IL is ever acquired
suddenly, If IL is always the resu Of slow growth
answer that depends on
YOUR OWN MAKE UP,
on Gods will. st. Paul, Wild, impetuous man,
learned In hell an hour that what he once believed
10 he true was false and that what he once believed
TO be false was true. A conviction sometimes sezcs
man and conquers him at once. AT other timos
mans nature Is changed slowly and by degrees.
Bat thing certain, the only true religion that
which VIII stand by yon to tho end, is something
which makes this world and all its ambitions
1fuht 4 fl.A
duties the faiths the prayers the struggles through
which, as through door, we 1nd our way to God
t