The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-11
CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.
Natural Anrc,ion-sermon by the Rev. b. w.
Martin, ID. ID.

Natural Anrc,i0n-seruion by the Rev. b. w
| Martin, d. ID.
In consequence OF the inccmency Of the weather
! the attendance of devotees al the Church OF the
Disciples, In Steinway Hail. was unusually small
but those who faced the storm were repaid by hear
Ing an eloquent and earnest discourse from the lips
| OF the Rev. b. w. Martin.
| The learned divine took his text from the thirty
first verse of the first episte OF ST. Paul to the
Romans-"Wtnout natural anectlon"-and com
menced by stating that the Apostle Paul had In his
day. to lament that the people were without natural
affection, In that corrupt and mercenary fondnesses
were destroying and Graduating It, He
would speak with regard to religious afrec.
ton. First came conscience-that wondrous
hidden power that can snake towards OF
us all' then love OF happiness and dlsappreca.
ton OF misery, the impulse TO promote the welfare
of our fellow creatures and preserve the
PEACE AND PURITY
OF or lives. Yet with the majority OF men how low
and poor is the sense OF duty; how little do those
vino are prospecting care for the welfare OF others
There is with them an utter dearth OF all religious
feeling; the very presence OF q minister OF the
Gospel Is painful and oppressive; and this Is the
eject OF no religious spirit ever having been
awakened within them. The agencies OF sin are
many. First comes the influence of unbelieI Our
affections are merely impulses OF the heart and,
unless an object ia presented to as we are disin.
cned TO believe in its existence. For instance,
the savage natives OF this Continent never mad
that passion ior alcoholic stmulants that
They now c display unt they were given the
appcttes, and even In our literary tastes. this
holds good; some peculiar circumstances lead our
minds IN certain directions and govern and develop
our affections and passions. Some OF us have a
| passion for
QUAINT AND CURIOUS
volumes OF lore others Tor pictures, flowers plants
ana i1snmate objects. which less enthusiastic
man does not or cannot appreciate the beauties or
the man who does not believe In God is In dark
ness; though he mas soul and can feel devoted to
those who care for. who VIII sufer for, him. he is
w Ssas light, and cannot out Of his unbeevlng
,acrdcs for ' mansins ne S deems glorious SSt
eternity, holding the belief that when the boay des
a s aoe, empires also IL may not be their moral
oaseness wnch gives NE to this idea, but their
LAMENTABLE IGNORANCE
and want OF faith. PASSIONS and ambitions be,oco
70 cultured people; uncivzeo persons or those VINO
great business OF le-the requirement Of wesi,s sno
and have no Time TO cultivate affections reaned ar
otherwise Among savage races there is but little lie
natural a1ecti0n-alm0st an utter lack ri ,bot ,ns1
potent instinct which induces mother to love and
cherish 1er babe; yet when the Gospel is read 10
cnsucs, aud reformation takes place. Things that
are not near TO our vision we do not properly an.
| preclae, yet when brought In contact with them
we admit their merits or defects. II so with reI
| gion. While In ignorance, standing as II were, at
! distance from divine tiutn We cannot perceive
| IT'S BEAUTIES AND COMFORTS;
! but when, by strenuous exertion, we gain light we
are FULLY able to comprehend how great Is our re-
| had previously considered mere venia sins. But
| our worst enemy Is that feeling which prompts US 10
resist the honest influences OF the hear NO matter
| what our ideas and natures may DO man cannot
| 90 through the world without having spiritual I'M
| pulses. he has vague feelings and desires ior
| IN ne, lie should, then. persstently struggle
towards tho dawn VI light that beams UPON hlm