The New York herald., 1872-12-23
CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.
Mans Oblig tions to God-Discoursc by
the Rev. George III. Hcpworth.


Notwiths tanding the cold weather and piercing
wind, and Notwithstanding Mr.. Eepworth's de-
precaton OF the smalness OF the congregation in
his usual exhortation for liberal contributions,
there was very fair attendance at the services
yesterday morning at Steinway Hall, where the
members OF The Church OF the Disciples still meet
for Sunday worship. The subject OF Mr.. Hep
worth's discourse was TO use a commercial express
sion the necessity or taking stock OF our spiritual
relations, and was based upon Ecclesastes ii. II,
"Then looked on all the works that my hands had
wrought" These words were spoken by "a man
marked for his wisdom ana insight he came to a
Bad conclusion.
ALL is VANITY;
vanity Of vanties. In the retrospectlon OF their
lives he hoped not to take so sad refrain. Under
all circumstances 1t was good to stop and reflect
lie who goes thoughtfully to work has already won
half the battle; he who goes bliEdly to work has
already lost the attle. Every business man about
takes an inventory OF stock and sees how much he
has gained or lost during the year. In word, he
sees exactly how he stands. Thus the storm
tossed mariner, the moment there is q rift in the
clouds, with chart and meridian ascertains his ex-
act position and what currents or winds are to
help or impede him. Thus in the old crusades
every once in a while they paused to bury their
dead to erect hospitals for their Sick TO forage for
their food and plan Tor their future And thus the
VINO knows himself knows more than he thinks;
who knows his own strength and the force of
THE WORLDS ALLTREMENTs
fs evenly poised, so evenly poised that no tempta
tion can take him unawares and conquer him. And
so they should ask themselves what they are, what
they propose to do and with what they TO do II.
These questions opened their minds TO heir own
strength; but to ask these questions was . very
hard thing-thc result was 30 unpleasant. To do
SO best provided them for the future. There were
already three that knew them God looks through
you as you look through French glass. Your
children know you better than you know your
selves The world knows you. II you are known
by these three parties IL behooyes you
TO know yourselves II You struggle on man
fully and uprlghtly through trials and temptations
you have ascended towards God; but II you have
scoiIed at religion your soul is dried up and
parched, like q wthered apple oh that men al
ways remembered the
VALUE OF A HUMAN SOUL.
What pains men bear to save their physical lie.
The laws OF God are iron. Not one or you could
look back for the past twenty years and say that
iransgression has not been punished with pain.
Sin IL bondage. Guilt and crime are manacles.
We regret DAY by day errors OF the past. We have
no
SPIRITUAL INDIA RUBBER
to rub out the sins OF the past. Following out at
eloquent length this train OF thought he concluded
by enforcing Gods claims TO our love and obedi-
ence AS father that has pinched himself for the
educatl0n of his son finds that his son has played
truant-nas played In the woods instead OF study
tng-as tnls father Is grieved so Is God grieved
whenever ms children play In the woods.