The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-27

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

Dr. Brooks, who has been long known In tho
Middle and Western States able divine,
preached yesterday morning in the Methodist
church. He Is also known chairman OF tho
memorable Methodist Book Committee from 1870 to
1872 As preacher he is calm and dignifed, and
conveys ut once the belief that all that is said Is
from the deepest convictions of his own soul. His
text yesterday morning was from Acts xx "a
"But none of these things move me- neither count
l my life dear unto myself 80 that I might finish
my course with joy, and the ministry which have
received of the Lord Jesus testify the gospel Of
the grace OF Cod"
He said that there were two faults prominent In
the Christian life which were directly opposite in
their character. The one was to look too much to
ourselves watching the symptoms Of our own
spiritual health and looking to see If there was any
thing In our lives and character which would JUS
tify joyous hopes of heaven; like an invalid, con-
stantly standing before mirror and looking at
himself to how he was getting along, instead Of
taking the necessary remedies and exercise to Sc
cure health. Such an examination always led to UNI
happy results and II INDUCED in too much always
tended to discouragements. 1t was very much as
with Peter, who, as long as he kept his eye
o the Saviour, he was safe, but when
he looked to himself and then to the raging pillows,
he began to sink; so II we look only to ourselves
we shall find the way heavenward q tOiisome and
weary way. On the other hand, we ought to look at
ourselves sometimes, just as a man would look in
mirror before going out to engage In the active
duties Of life, a sick man would examine care
fully his own symptoms to see how the remedies
were working. SO ought always to criticise our
selves much more severely than when Judging
others; indeed 1t was hardly ever profitable to
Judge others at all; but we ought to have at times
strict heart examination to see that we are not
retrograding. Many times Christians might be SO
nnf in hnh nj n a ianlU
losing ground themselves. There are certain Chris
tian graces to be perfected, and this is work
ceived this ministry from the Lord Jesus but 10
him only but to oil them who are called; to the
ha u ne assigns u e work we all therefore,
lgious life. When person Is first converted, lie
Is only just beginning; nay, further when entirely
tirely sanctifed was to improve when tile
denlements OF sin were removed, Just g
Was sH lust sad coDton ryow to c
stature OF manhood. We may not know how
far we are to improve or how long, but no doubs
1t VIII continue thus through eternity. Whatever
else God may have for us to do In the world, ,he
first thing Of all others is for to take Of our
least and Il we lose that We lose all! Again, thsrs
is a service for us to render to othersi though
child God had place ana mission ana .na ~ vS Sn
greatest results God has, them ministry forall;
1t is already marked out; Christ assigns us each
our, our work. But we spend too much Time In
stead OF doing the little which IL now before
U.S. II we would oftencr do the little duties OF life
and labor on, even though IL should be little and
unknown" the results will show tnat these dfties
in eternity are themselves infinite, because they
take hold on eternity Again, we are to testify Of
what we know; a witness has tn testify OF what he
has positive knowledge, not what he has heard
about. This text in the original conveys the idea
OF knowing all the way through, from the A BCOf
cXperience to the end. When Christian spoke OF
the grace of God able to save 1t was not boasting
any more than he who had been a beggar, and had
been fed and clothed and made an heir, would say
OF his benefactor, "He did everything for meu II we
thus stood In our lot and place To do the work
assigned us and to finish our ministry there would
the fun stature OF men in Christ Jesus.n Not to be
as great as Christ but to stand complete In Hm--a
man OF small stature could be complete as one Of
larger stature. Why may we not, then, render as
complete service as an archangel 1t may not be
as great, but 1t may be as complete. Another re-
suit VIII be that 1t will be finished work. II your
work Is not done for to-day 1t Will never be done.
finished, for tomorrow will have its own
work ana the present calls for the dis
charge OF the duties of the present. II
the past IL not right, all we can do Is
10 ask pardon OF Christ and forgiveness, and then
look very carefully for the future. This Psuls
course and when he looked backward he could
say boldly 81 have fought good lght; have kept
the fath; and as he looked forward he could trust
ingly say, '.Ilencetorth there IL laid NJ for me
crown Of iiie.h And he from his high seat IN glory
waves backward TO "a WHO toll IN lies stormy
scene the blessed assurance, .Ahd not to me uTS,
but to all them that love IFS appearing" On, may
we so run this race so finish this course anu -
Keep this faith that we may prove ourselves inoAe
worthy of that great reward