The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-07

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF POUCH.
tt.o KEEPSIE,

;. Il s....-s 81 -. -
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF POUCH
.4o KEEPSIE
Sermon ON the "sabbath" by the Rev.
James G. Bcccher-Sunday Not To
Brfstle with Prohibitions To BE
Desecrated by Penancea.g 81
- PouaHKEEPsIE, N. Y, July 0, 1878.
The neat and tastefully designed edifice Of the
Mill street Congregational church of this city was
filed by an attentive and appreciative assembly
this morning, when the pastor, Rev. James q,
Beecher, brother Of Henry Ward Beecher, de-
livered one of his charactersticaly lorcible and
impressive discusses. His text was from Gala
tians, ", 13-"For brethren, ye have been called
into liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to
the flesh, but by love serve one another" The
reverend gentleman said:-This is standard text
whenever we interpret the strict law OF the Old
TESTAMENT by the spirit Of the Gospel II 10 tho
dividing line between e.-;a Ae
LIBERTY AND LICENSE. Te"%i
There is no release from the bond OF law, except
the stronger as well as broader law Of love. When
men are impelled from within to do rightly they
need no command from without. The letter of the
law Is fulfilled because the intent Of the law is put
into practice Bearing this In mind we are ready
to consider
HOW CHRISTIANS SHOULD OBSERVE SUNDAY;
not as bound by the letter OF the law, nor yet a.
holding the law in contempt; rather hOnoring it
as men best honor all law. civil or divine, by in
diligently considering the intent and fulfilling the
spirit.
HOW JESUS KEPT SABBATH DAY
we have ample Information. How the apostles and
early disciples kept, at first, both seventh day and
first day, we have sufficiently learned, and how,
very soOn by an instinct or inspiration the seventh
day merged Into the frst, not by any formal edict
plished fact as MONDAY Is an accomplished fact
after twilight. This we have learned from many
witnesses. BY the unbrOken testimony OF 400 years
we have learned that every Sunday observance in
vOlved, first, rest from unnecessary work Sec
licious instruction.; third sociablity tempered,
purified inspired S by all nth, that the fn DAY
pies Of Christian Sunday observance
PUBLIC WORSHIP.
We properly retain the name. 1t we're well TO
retain the thing itself, and that we largely fail to
do. In the more liturgical churches we are pain
fully deficient in opportunity-more deficient still
to an extent, provide opportunity but are not
The thing is to have the churches imbued with the
spirit OF worship; the means OF Its expression will
COO worsSp NOT ep%n
rlly to hear sermons. 1t would be blasphemy, II
Il ws1s no sod which has learned to can
INTRODUCTORY ExERCISEs.n
They are the life and inspiration. the sum and sub
the power Of growth ITSELF The he 81 .
gifted, 80 magnetic as to lift up whole congrega-
tion after dead introductory exercises" Such
are few and far between between But audiences have
n they will, as well as preachers; more because
The Of the % bs
It should be the aim Of every church to bring moro
and more into play the element Of Worship de-
learn in due time to pray tosether as Wei as read
more the direct answer OF God to the prayer OF
wrought at St the pnrs
Word Of God, going direct to the very hearts
HOME LIFE ON SUNDAY.
me Gay Is as sacred to ri. religious socab lust
fine for another. You should not blindy accept
definition one from another. Anything like
had better not be attempted. Families diner in
the elements which compose them; weekday en-
ding much social Intercourse between members.
Men and women differ broadly and constitutionally
You might as well make schedule for flowers to
grow by or birds 10 sing by as to frame minute
cipies, pc sitive and negative, we are at no loss.
NOTHING SHOULD BE ENFORCED
which makes , the day burden to old or young
antagonistc to religious impression. do not say
which has not an exclusive religious element Far
| from i'll "Holiness unto the Lord" Is written In
many another language than the words them
selves. The deepest, sweetest most lile-giving in
SEPARATION OF the spirits come as the winds come,
THROUGH FIELDS AND FLOWER GARDENs,
to be redoent OF odors, over mountain tops ana
under cloud shadows; yea, 1re-clcaned by light
ming and washed OF rains. Just comes the breath
ing Of the spirit OF God through all the relations OF
the househod0ver the heights and depths,
through the
SUNSHINE AND CLOUDS
Of family life, until 1t has gathered somewhat OF all
these In itself and combines In itself the whole OF
the family life. would not make the LORDS Day
OF Joy and love burden to chdren-to bristIe with
prohibitions or to be desecrated by penances
THE NARROW PATH
Ia better marked and bordered by MOWERS than
guarded by thstles, more especially II thistes en-
croach on the walks, as they invariably do. IwOuld
not
OvERDO ATTENDANCE AT CHURCH
For wOrkingmen. whom the week Sc aratcs from
vile aud children, one public service IS enough.
through these summer months you have oil out
doors f0r evening service. Take your wives and
children wherever grass grows or water runs or
trees rustic.
THE STARS OF HEAVEN
are better lights than the gas Jets of hot audi
ence room. Remember, there is religion OF the
househod as well as OF the church-a revelation
through wives and children as genuine as that OF
the Bible: Yes, II Ia day sacred TO worship ana
70 love OF every sort. Cleansed, perfected, inspired
| BY these, the night comes peacefully to end the
day, but not its influence. It IL enediction on
| the whole week. 1t reaches out It's arms In pro-
| lection and blessing until they meet the welcom-
| ing hands OF the next Lords Day. and one Sunday
| clasps hands with the next as both look lovingly