The New York herald., 1873-09-08
lullaby in infancy, shat heaven which ID the wen
the rate -
AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH,
LAFAYETTE

Beginning ON . New Year OF Work..
Paurs Preaching I'm Thessalonfa and
It's ERect-Love OF Christ the Vital
Root-Paurs Prayer for His Brethren
tn increase More and More.
The Rev. Dr. Cuyler was welcomed back yester
day TO lafayette avenue Presbyterian church by .
large congregation. The service was opened by
the choir singing Milard's 'Jubilate," which was
rendered in an exceedingly fine manner. DR..
Cuyler was very earnest in his discourse. He en-
deavored to impress his congregation with the
idea that to be a Christian is not the work
OF months or years. but that 1t Is
continual, lifelong struggle. He selected
his text from L. Thessalonians, w. 10
'but we beseech you, brethren, that 70
increase more and more.n Thessalonla was city
OF Importance and historical renown. There was
none outside OF Jerusalem so great All great
good results from small beginnings, and all the
light rom that place was kindled by two men-a
tent maker and his companion, Paul and Silas
They halted only few weeks. preached with great
power until rude crowds forced them away: but
the Gospel stayed. the lre burned after the dis
cipies ind gone orsh r 10 knde other fires, and In
cheering letter, full Of grateful congratuatons.
After having thanked them for what they had done
he wrote the words or our text, "We beseech you.
brethren, TO increase more and more.n He knew
that in the pursuit OF better life
MANS ARDoR IS APT TO COOL,
that people are likely to sit down and be con.
tented to enjoy what Is already done, that they
have disposition to make the beginning the
Men are never thus in worldly matters. John
Jacob Astor said his first thousands were harder to
victories in Lombardy kindled visions of Auster-
htz, oi great emperors waiting In his ante-cham-
OF % see
and more: Now, so vital Is this question Of
success. success that ~ss,n we might wen spend few
No things have growth but live things; the
infant buried twenty years ago is but span Of
hood Lfe is essential TO growth inward hfe Is
indispensable to inward grOwth-the vital union
which exists between root and branch. Is 1t
strange that many church members have made no
inward growth when there has been no immediate
desire Gan man who never cared to please
God have this attainment? Can
SPIRITUAL CORPSE
breathe spiritual aspirations DO skeleton fingers
and out some @Tow II n as sS
tares grow without watering. oh, II Christians
grew as fast as sin, had almost said would be
satisfied, but grace must grow from being planted
and cared for, but root you must have before you
increase. What rootP 1t
THE VITAL LOVE FOR CHRIST.
We must have inward lie. Paul said. 'Grow In
grace" He knew he could trust them in worldly
matters. That term embraces the whole range Of
spiritual endearments Grace, holiness, he srt-hep,
long-sunenng, faith, tenderness, all spring out
from the same trunk. The apostle urges them to
Christ; in word, spirit character, the reception
OF an impress from Christ and the putting out OF
IulpIebS iOT lHaJ Is CuTlStlan cnaraCCer,
ana into 1t enters all virtues that make man
earnest, useful and good, and every man or woman
who pretends TO perfect character Is q charlatan
else the Word OF God would not say increase. 1t is
to be
LIKE, NOT RoUAL
and not only to have liking, but q likenin0-that
is the momentum that carries men over sin. You
are to enter upon new year OF work. 1t is the
work OF lifetime but short life. The base OF
Christian character Is the rock Jesus Christ Build
for eternity. Year after year carries the work up
from the foundation, but remember 1t Is not high
enough yet; build on. What differences there are
IN CHRISTIAN characters some may be growing in
this and falling Off in that, when growth ought to
be symmetrical Like the lark. which goes soaring
upward while
THE HAWK KILLS THE NEsrLINGs
man may spend all his time in the heights, when
he ought to come down and alleviate the suffering
and misery OF his fellow men. The whole man
should be developed, head and heart grow more and
ofChrist Growth is from within always. doubt II
there Is people Of less growth than those devoted
to rituasm; but, with Gods indwelling grace, the
soulwill take up all that belongs to It. Oh, how
the spiritual character is enlarged under this pro-
cess! 1t grows equal to carrying great loads and
resisting great temptations
WHAT is THE GRACE OF GOD
but the power to resist temptation II there Is life
there is hope OF growth. The strength OF Chris
tian character Is IN participation la the life Of
genuine no other lasting; simple faith IN the
Bible and love to fellow men Is all-sufficent; for
without this there can be no Increase the love Of
Christ Jesus Is perennial, immortal, better than
numbers, better than money. Godlness Is better
than prayer because 1t inspires prayer. My dear
people, beseech you to all this by the tender
mercy OF God. beseech you to grow, enlarge be
faithful, grow more and more until Christ becomes
the measure OF your daily and hourly aspirations,
when at last we shall be satisfied in His lie.