The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-17
ATTORNEY STREET M. P. CHURCH.
"NOthfng but Leaves'-ScrmOn by Mrs.
Annie r. Smith.

'NOthfng but Leaves"-ScrmOn by Mrs.
Annie r. Smith.
Mrs. Annie E. Smith preached last night at the
Attorney Street Methodist Protestant church, be-
tween Delaney and RivingtOn streets. She took
her text from st Matthew XXI, 10. We ind that
Jesus riding into Jerusalem, she said, with all
the hOnOrs that could have been bestowed upon
any one. Finally He went out to have a night OF
rest They read in the Scriptures how Jesus was
enabled to fulfil certain prophecies. Jesus went to
q fig tree for fruit. Anybody would have supposed
that there was fruit on such fine tree. When He
came to the tree He found there was no fruit
on 1t. He found "nOthlng but leaves" But
this tree was good representative OF 4 great
many who protested relgion-of great many who
were members of churches. In the morning Jesus
hungered, and when he came to the tree he found
no fruit. How easy 1t was for them to deceive the
world. Everything in this age was hypocritical.
There was reign Of deception in business in poll
TICS in science even in religion. There was the
deception in the tree and such was the deception
of the men and women who had no fruit Because
there was no fruit on 1t He cursed it, and if they
knew nothing about repentance and sacrifice for
God, there was no fruit in them, nothing but
leaves" They were a curse to their church, they
were q curse to their families they deceived them
A CURSE TO THE WHOLE WORLD.
They became indifferent just as Tar as 1t concerned
them spiritually; it did not even ruffie their
spirits. Jesus wanted them to lead lives so that
He should know that they had lived with Him and
IN Him; But they said, 1--WE must make our
fig tree did not expect peaches, but figs, and
| SO He came to them, expecting them to show that
they were Christians and His children. II they had
| been living in a careless manner, knowing that
| their daily actions did not correspond with the
teachings OF the Bible it was time that they should
undecelve themselves about the supposed GER
tainty OF their going to heaven There seemed to
be an emptiness. There did not seem to be the
| piety and devotion that there used to be. "0h,
how wish we could get up real old-fashioned
revivar' she had heard a good many people say.
II she had to run the RISK OF eternal ne for the
! avoid it. She would not risk her eternal enjoy
ment Tor all the money there ever was IN Wall
| street.
IN THAT GREAT DAY
when they should come up and stand before their
themselves They would not be able to practise
any deception there. some people thought they
could deceive the world by shouting and praying
aud protesting good deal. They had the privilege
OF settling this great question tonight, and to say
to the Lord, all have not given myself up to you
| before this, / will give myself to you tonight"
They SAID there were so many things to contend
with. The hour OF temptation mad come upon the
whole world in the universal and allabsorbing love
of money This seemed to be the curse o. this age.
When God said He would keep them they ought to
believe Him. 1t seemed as though there never was
time oil such severe trials for true Christians
| There seemed to be continual temptation. but
they had the same grace to keep them to-day
serve today that Daniel had Could they trust
God as Daniel did ? they might say they were
afraid OF the lions. What OF that II Suppose they
would de-wOuld they not die in defence OF their
faith +? II there was a man woman in New York
who thought differently it was time they should
say There should be some sincerity in religion.
God permitted the three men to be thrown into
THE FIERY FURNACE
in order that He should convince Himself Of their
true faith. WeWld they live that their lives
should shine for goodness and virtue and purity
would they live so that God would ind fruit about
them-''nOtning but leaves 2" He believed there
were some people there who had something else
besides leaves. God help them that they should
have something else besides leaves. The same
blood that had cleansed their fathers and mothers
could cleanse them as WELL We're they willing to
say this evening, "Lord, give myself up to you ?r