The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-16
CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH
.sThe Once or OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES by
the Rev. Henry Powers.

ssThe ONCE OF Tcmpta ttOn"-SermOn by
the Rev. Henry Powers.
The elegant Church OF the Messiah, Thirty -fourth
street and Park avenue, was for the season OF the
year. when most OF the pewholders are sojournlng
at their country seats quite well attended yester
day morning. The subject OF the discourse by tho
pastor, Rev. Henry Powers was concerning
temptation. He selected his text from Jamesi II,
in part-"Blessed is the man that endureth temp
tation" After suitably introducing the subject he
said that temptation reveals us to ourselves and to
others. The word temptation" In all It's FORMS
stands invariably IN the Bible for test or trial OF
some sort, which Is applied to us usually by means
OF some aurement or entertainment to forbidden
pleasure, or through some sore afilictlOn or PAIN
full dspensation which comes upon us In the prov
nce OF God. The temptation in itself, therefore, ls
never a commcndable, though it may be an aGreea-
BILE thing; but the result Of temptation may be an
increase with Of both virtue and JOY, and
should be always. Undoubtedly 1t is the first and
strongest desire OF our Heavenly Father, in leading
us through the paths Of an earthly pilgrimage to
free us from all sin and to perfect in all right
eousness. We may each OF us find all the standings
orour Utmost life reflected back upon us by the
occurrences OF the outer world. They put no new
principle spirit within us, but simply bring out
9 w sna vs srcy 50 sa
the occasion OF this revealing while 1t is our own
lusts and passions that entice US really and give to
and seductive charms II there was no
LURKING DEVIL WITHIN US
there could be no successful temptation from with
out u.s. There is meaning In this everyday life OF
ours which we do not carefully and often enough
consider and seek 70 comprehend Men Snn say vi
not 50 slnned" True, but also they would not
have become aware Of the evil that was
and "t therefore S GOD leads them into tie
midst OF these temptations not that they might be
induced to Weld unto them, but that they might
them that they might be aware Of them forever yer
ana take the m te Wor Ul
about are needed in order to make known what
is within US: The lust OF the esh the lust OF the
| place and power which is one of the worst and
most common OF the sins OF republic, do not point
crInging baseness until occasion and clrcum-
stances have uncoiled their snaky propensities
Thus Thu our lives are led along the paths where the
objects OF our love and hate. whether holy or sin
fu are gathered ana In this way all the evil as
stay the evil. But, whatever may be our choice,
| seItconsciousness as truly and as clearly as the
forms and OF future dynasties were passed
BEFORE THE WIZARDS GLASS.
Here Mr.. Powers eloquently illustrated the
points advanced. saying among other things
a5 with Se d is he 'n %cked
but this was not strictly true, as the absence OF
temptation in the country was much greater.
try, because there more temptations in the Tor
mer successfully resisted. VINO are those but our
rural friends that visit the city for few days and
indulge In all sorts OF siniulness serving the devil
rather than the Lord There is more sin, perhaps,
| here in the city, but there Is more virtue. Mr..
Powers also alluded to the temptations and crimes
OF individuals OF the present day, referring to the
startling crimes committed, and finally he asked
his hearers to note lesson taught by the
theme-a lesson summed up and stated In
that saying of the apostle James, "My
brethren count it all JOY when We fall into divers
madly into them; that's not virtue in any one
LEAD rs not into temptation" Is instnctively the
language OF the righteous soul but IT. in the proy-
dence OF Cod temptations OF any sort are lying IN
| our pathway, then let us gladly meet them and
triumph them for the sake Of the greater vir-
tue that is to be attained. This, then, is the spe.
i cial lesson oil our theme. We hear q great deal
SAID these days, and with much reason. doubtless,
| about the dangerous laxity OF the times and the
j demoralizations in Church and State and social
| life that are everywhere apparent, and the de-,
mand Is, consequently, for restrictive poilcy and
suppressive discipline u rigid control; and yet a
religion oil austerity and gloom has OF itself no
power TO save rom sin. What is needed Is to re-
move the plague OF the soul.