The New York herald., 1873-05-05
LYRIC HALL.

Is 1t Better to Die or to Live .-Is 1t Right
to Throw Present Away s-Sermon by
tho Rev. q. b. rockingham.
The sweet smiles and fresh breath OF the Sabbath
had salutary effect upon the Sunday worshippers.
Lyric Hall had its usual large share OF the cite and
fashion OF our city. The subject OF Mr.. Fr0thing-
hams sermon was 'Is 1t better to die or to live ?"
The story in the old legendary book, he began, was
about Jonah preaching to the inhabitants OF
Nineveh, who were pagans. Jonah fees from Min
eveh, and after passing through great many
adventures he returns and breaches to them and
the Lord iorgives them. The prophet sits down
in sorrow and discomfort and cries, 'It Is
better to die than to live." AS he sits beside
the sea in the sun the Lord raises gourd which
shelters him from its burning rays. A little worm
penetrates the stem OF the g0urd and 1t falls
withered to the ground. The prophet Is discon-
tented because the g0urd has withered. First he
was tired Of life because the people OF Nineveh
were forgiven, and then because the shade was
taken away. This is the way of the world More
than half of the complaint comes from people who
do not have what they want-because
THEIR LITTLE GOURD wITHRRs.
To multtudes life Is WEAKNESS and it is about as
well sheltered as that Of Jonah. A short time ago
a singular discussion arose in England concerning
suicide. They wished to decide whether, under
some circumstances 1t was not admissible to put
an end to existence; and whether II lie became
intolerabe it was not right to throw it
physical pain Other causes beside pain make life
intolerable. disappointment. persecution, sorrow
and loss OF fortune Will drain all the sweetness from
the lives OF hundreds Is 1t right to throw away lie
when 1t has become worthless or uselesss Lie is
a boon, something given to use, and therefore to
be accepted. Suicide Is the act OF a poltroon, o
cOwardly thing. Resignation and submission are
IMMORTAL VIRTUES.
1t Is very old teaching, but 1t Is entirely thrown
away. The struggle goes on for the life, not
for the intellect but for the goods of
this world, pleasure and money. We live
with our faces towards the ground and our
backs towards the sunbeams. What marvel is
1t that lie is tiresome and dsgustingY When the
upper region is taken away is 1t wonderful that
life should seem cheap If success Is not given,
sense OF utter iutility 0ppresses the man. Another
cause OF WEAKNESS IS due to the rage OF pleasure.
1t is the violent reaction from the extreme rgor of
past ages. Now our faces are turned In the drec-
ton Of amusement, and there is great desire for
recreation and entertainment.
THE CUP OF LIFE
won't be filled with champagne always brimmng
over, and all the books must be picture books
There is disgust for all that is dull and demand
for study. There must be perpetual changes or
our old ancestors did in the SIMPLE pleasures
back with regret on her, short season Of
worth living for when the honeymoon Is over and
no more journeyings. The difficulty is that this
THE PROBLEM
Is this, how is this sense OF lie's wearinesS to be
met All that man has received is a gift he may
to his memory. The wheels OF time are forever
turning and each tomorrow Is something new.
Some are always enveloped In mist, while all
around the sun Is shining brightly. There never
was O battle that could not be fought through.
Who can say that his life is not profitable to him
ss We are naes IN sunny nos days wh We vn Sv
themselves will not complain that life Is weari-
some.