The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-29
NEW ENGLAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

~~->~~~~~~~>-~~~~~--
Building a New ChurcL-Vhat Is Necessary
for Its Success-Enihu siastic Men tae Graud
Pioneers OF the Worlds Progress-Sermon
by Rev. DIR. Merrill Hicharesen.
To the large and intelligent congregation assem-
bled yesterday morning at the New England Con.
gregational church, corner OF Madison avenue and
Forty seventh street, the occasion was one OF
usual interest THIS congregation, It appears,
have under contemplation change from their pres
ent quarters. and the sermon mad reference TO this
matter Several reasons consplre to necesstate
such removal. primary reason was that their
present place OF worship was only temporarily
rented. Another strong reason Is that the church
Is altogether too small to meet the requirements OF
The rapidly increasing congregation. We're not
these sufficient, there Is the conclusive
OF too close proximity to the
GRAND CENTRAL RAILROAD DEPOT,
the incessant c0mmnged confusion OF rolling cars,
ringing Of bells ana shrleks Of steam whistles at
times completely drowning the voice OF the minis
ter. The sermon was preached Ivy the pastor, Rev.
DIR. Merrill Richardson, MS text being Nehemiah
w., ESQ built we the wall, for The people had
mind TO work." The text referred to building the
walls OF Jerusalem. Tne city was IN ruins. 1t had
been taken by the King Of Babylon, It's Temple plum
dered, lis walls destroyed and It's people made cap
tives the seventy years captivity was now ended
Babylon was conquered by Persia whose king Ia.
tnat people was impoverished aad despairingi
a few only bore in their hearts love OF
s sna restore ana e nessn eo 9
city oil David. But Ezra and Nehemiah took the
matter IN hand. They organized u band OF earnest
men to return to Jerusalem. Ihe band reached
the outer walls OF the ancient city. Nehem ian oy
night surveyed the condition oil affairs, then laid
his plans aud formed ms men INTO smali cempa-
nles-some % lay the walls, some with weapons TO
lefenu the builders. In fifty days the walls were
glory TO God. After further pretaratory remarks he
proceeded to show that three Things were embraced
VIZ, the honor OF Goa; second, the determination
TO DO 1t in spite of every obstacle, and tnird the
WILLINGNESS OF every one to do ms part These par
tlculars he enforced as essential TO
ASSOCIATED CHRISTIAN WORK.
The honor OF God was the one motive for every
Christian work. Christs cause and kingdom were
the o9;ecg. Unless such motive lie at the bottom OF
nan work. we cannoI ask God to prosper it. the
motive makes ,ae Nnl IL is IN God we are strong
hard, SITTER much. ana ofIen risk taeir lives Tor
gain. Ambition for Office carnes men far. But
wna motive ever gave man s1cs POss Ga IS rs
iauslasn. waich means possessed OF the Dr.
v1ae spirit expresses me state o. mad
. vida IMAGINATION. aonng without reason,
hui a steady fire, deep, burning and brightly glow
TINS j. The sori q enthusiasm. SRtnnslasm VINO
ever ala great things without IT. The history OF
relIg1on Tul Of The sublime exam pes OF
power; VINO could 1orsase al and glory IN the
sacr1Ace. Apostles ana martyrs were tue workers
III
MANIPULATING WORLD.
For thousands OF years the memory OF these has
been precious Nothing could daunt them Well
rlRg ne held III lasting honor, for the
hlsAer and deeper interests Oi humanity ana all
IAsf Is great ana pure ana noble de-
pend on them Without such enthusiasm
CluTeh conld ever succeed. II thls
sOri OF enthusiasm Thai inspired 10 sucn dee0s
OF noble daring the Crusaders Peter the termIt-a
poor monk alone at trst, bal afterwards abetred by
those whom he had inspired Win THE same
people 10 deliver the Holy Land For 2sO years the
purpose was strong. Millions OF men offered Lheu
lives; lens OF thousands OF rich men and women
pledged their estates. From France. England
Germany and Italy went the richards and JeoierIes
the men OF might, whose deeds romance aud his
tory delight TO portray. We may call this foolish
1anaticism, out It is q striking illustration OF what
determination can do. He believed God called
them 10 The work. This was the motive, ana neither
wealth, nor beauty. nor ease, nor luxury stood IN
their way; Ampllfying this point still further, he
proceeded TO snow that
RELIGIOUS SENTIMENT
Is the strongest when Called into exercise and there
Is nothing tnat viii lead to such persistence and
sacrhce. what lifelong years OF poverty and SUI
iering II has made, what pains and penalties en-
dured, what heroic deeds done 1t mas been said
that man never knows what deep forces are In him
until he comes under the power OF religious zeal.
Life Is great and good as we come under the d0mIn-
| some length he made practical application OF the
text TO the proposed erection OF u new church.
| ordinary men. Thousands OF churches now strong
| in numbers ana means began In the same
| way. All should ucVOte tner respective
talents in building up the Church. Some have
business talent some talent for teaching, exhOrLlug
and praying; and some are adapted visiting the
sick or making garments for the poor. One spirit
should pervade all the various CUTS. All should
work IN harmony. In conclusion he urged That II
they were to build up any portion OF the wall OF
Zion they must have
THE MIND 10 WORK.
What they were convinced should lie done ought to
be undertaken with a Will ana with enthusiasm
Their means and methods were to be considered,
and each should be willing TO labor Tor tle
VIII build up portion or ZiOn which win stand
for generations II must be work of devotion and
love. There were dliiculties 10 the way, obstacles
to be surm0unted. They must count the cost. and
not begin unless they were determined 10 finish.