The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-01
CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Christianity q Source OF JOy-Sermon
by Rev. DIR. Partridge.

Christianity Source OF JOy-Sermon
by Rev. DIR. Partridge.
There was pretty good attendance at the Pro-
testant Episcopal church, Bedford avenue, yester.
day morning notwithstanding the oppressive
weather. After the customary services had been
performed by the ana his assistant, Rev. Mr..
Babcock, DR.. Partridge delivered practical dis
course, taking for his text the thirty first Of
the second chapter Of Jeremiah-'Have been O
wilderness unto IsraelS . land of darknessS" In
his Introductory remarks the reverend gentleman
said that those words were addressed by Jehovah
to His own people, whom he had brought up out OF
the land Of Egypt and given them the happy land
OF Canaan. BY looking back upon their history and
considering all that he had done for them We
could see that there was not only irony, but
intense meaning in the text2 for the outward
conduct Of Israel towards God such that he had
great reason to ask this question of the text In de-
rison In order to bring his children to serious
nection. And here he the preacher) asked why
was not the gospel embraced by the intelligent
and the refined and enjoyed as one Of the richest
blessings God has given to man. Why was 1t that
our very best people, looking at them as citizens
should keep entirely aloof from the ordinances Of
the Church Of Christ Independent OF revelation
the system which Jesus Christ has given to the
world Is pre-eminently Intended to elevate man,
to exalt the standard " social life and to I'LL the
minds OF men with deep and abiding sense of
good report and, reasoning p,1orf one would think
that the cultivated and Intelligent classes would be
the spes ana dh & q
ness between man and man, truth and honesty
fair dealing and honorable intercourse one with
orders OF men and pervadlng all grades Of society
love to our nelghbors, peace on earth and good will
Church Of God taught men to observe and do az
they valued happiness In the present life. Why, he
.ko mi oud in hinh
was so much needed In this City OF Churches, ana
put an end to the nngodllness and vanity
d!nlculty lay in the fact that over and
above the moral and social blessings,
desirable I'm in this present life which the gospel
trine Of spiritual life which demanded the regulation
Of the inner as well as the outer man, and making
Godhcsd-a realm into which tie devotee Of the re:
when We sarned to spiritual things, to the sublime
topics which alone render Christianity Of any etor
nal value, the learned and tho noble asked with
Nicodemus, "H0w can these things be ~ reckoning
respected religion, and knew Wei WHAT what !
when 1t Is welded by society, ana s believing
In God as their Creator and moral Governor,
attain IL by any rational process: Why. not re-
ceive IL as coming from God in the BibleS As to the
grand doctrines Of stonement regeneration and
and Holy Ghost, the individuals OF whom no spoke
were willing to acknowledge them In some sort OF
he sanctuary every Sunday which snirmsd and
taught them, but they were not willing TO take the
6rAs step which would place themselves in o close
sin tdira In the Wv irresou people embrac
ing the Gospel was tho Inconsistencies OF proiessed
christians. Too many OF such had nsmc t to lys
the interests o. iaeir souls, and some Of
them were absolutely dead. The world had
right to see Christians earness IN al
that concerned the Advancement Of the kingcaW Of
Christ, and to find that religion gave them comfort
IN afnction, contentment in adverse circumstances
IN s %St me shSps %S @
world looked on In aniazement when they saw
Christians evidently considering their profession
the world could not satisfy themselves that the
Bible was lie, that Christians are Oil hypocrites
and imposters, and that the spiritual doctrines Of
religion were false, though they had never expe-
ricnced them; still they admitted that Christianity
aimed Mt tho heart that IL gave mighty peace in the
midst OF strife and Joy and comfort In the Holy
Ghost, and to the undyine soul immortal life what
dshonor Christians cast upon their Master and His
cause by not living up to their proiessionl
ton propounded in Jeremah's time, "Have been
q wilderness unto Israel-a land OF darkness Have
s hoy " m ~
there been no mowers along the path by which l
have led them, no green pastures and no stu
out any reward During the toll and WEAKNESS Of
life, has there been no bright sunshine upon the
landscape, no sound OF music BY the wayf
Or, Partridge continued In an eloquent strain to
chow that the Christian life was one Of Joy
and gladncssi that the yoke Of Christ was easy,
that bis ways were paths Of plesssntaes. and that
would not walk in darkness, Dut their path would
shine brighter and brighter unto the perfect day.
the promises in the Bible, Of the teachings OF the
Church, and OF the experience OF all Gods saints to
suppose that God In Christ Jesus Is 2 wilderness
do with the wilderness and the darkness oxCops TO