The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-01
CHURCH OF FHE MESSIAH.

scrnsss by Mr. Jsspwerth on "Chrlssisn
ManLo0ds The Growth Of Religion Nnsien-
ally and Individually"
Mr.. Hepworth took his text last evening from
Mathew ", 4s:-"Be 70 therefore perfect, even as
your Father which Is In Heaven is perfect"
He said these are, perhaps, the strangest words
which man has ever heard, coming, as they 90. IN
the shape Of q command, and therefore implying
the possibility OF obedience. They must have been
received by the Hebrews rs an statement while
the whole world since has read them with kind OF
awe. History has developed under different reli-
gions or attempts at religion, three kinds OF man.
hood. The nrst Is the MANHOOD Of superstition, the
second the manhood Of the religion OF science,
and the third the manhood OF Christianity. 1t
Is my wtsh said the reverend gentleman to
speak Of these three Developments, that by o
fair comparison OF one with another we may the
more truly appreciate the beauty and glory Of that
Biblical revelation. which, believe. has come from
Gods own lips. FIRST, then let me ASK what is the
basis element OF
MANHOOD IN THOSE TINES
before Christ preachedS Nothing Is more interest
ing than to watch growth Of the religious life In
ancient times. The flrst thing We note when we
LOOK at the infancy OF the Is It's religious fer.
vor. II one believes that this element Is the ont.
growth OF national development, how very queer
the world must have seemed TO o man who had no
intellectual means OF determining anything. he
was walking In a fairys garden, and everything was
ana arrange 70 n hs saw Or thought
ana what wonder II he attributed to II personal.
ity and gentle and kindly disposition because 1t
felt timid and helpless when night came on with It's
thick shadows, and learned to regard It as demon
who stole upon one unawares2 Even In these DAYS
THE SAME OLD MYSTICISM
fingers, and though our reason forDlds It, We, who
never afraid in the day time: and VINO boldly de-
a
ntghtlal that It Is Just possible that we may be
Sas Ds spS S ana
at US through the shadow. Now, out OF this state
Of things, what KIND OF manhood can conner There
were heroes IN the old faith, but they had nothing Of
the sweetness trust or beauty OF day. It was
cold, harsh, angular. No wonder that two philoso.
life was farce aud That the best way was to laugh
your way through 1t, while the other taught that
lett Tor man except 70 6ewall his fate TAKEN alto.
gether think there is something about the speci.
na o. axces our sympa.sy ana orr ov
Next We come 10 the manhood Of sceptcism.
In these latter days we . nave been a1,., made
science. 1t Rather sneers or quietly laughs at the
incredulity which accepts the Bible Is final au.
the devotees OF the Church with much the same
kind OF pity with which wise man a very wise
though he believed 1t. Now, don't believe that
this antagonsm Is 10 last long. l feel sure that
HE BRIDGE ACROSS THE RIVER
and that science will prove the several abut
ments upon which IL rests. Darwin's whole theory
sticks just at this point lie can account for every
thing except mans moral nature, and then he
hats ana is ruined. Natural theology and religion
present no basis Of sure faiIh. II IL cluster OF
starry doubts and guesses 1t appeals to the scholar
but chills the multitude. come now 10 q consid-
GRAFTON Of
CHRISTIAN MANHOOD.
TO show you what 1t Is l need only point to the
great, warmh hearted heroes who have died and
lived in Its defence. Look at the apostles. How
genial, how warm, how jealous how brave they all
were They faced the world and they faced death.
They cared for nothing except the trus the beauti
full and the good. No question which the soul asks
is unanswered. God, Person, a Father above all,
In all human history, and an ever present influence
In your lie; Christ, the Revealer OF the Law, the
Interpreter Of the Will; immortality, the begin
ming Of the true life Of the soul; you, yourself,
son OF God, Tor whom Christ died, whose prayers
are all heard, whom the angels are commissioned
10 help through all the struggles and troubles OF
life What picture can be more inspiringY II
Is tie true manhood.