The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-14

Ycsterday's Pulpit Themes.
From the batch of sermons condensed
which we present to-day it will be seen that
very few of the regular pastors were at their
posts yesterday, and their pulpits were con-
| sequently supplied by strangers and friends.
Among the few faithful shepherds who still
remain with their focks is DR.. Ormiston, who
| improved the occasion with reflections on the
secret sins of life which lie hidden deep in
many hearts and only await favorable oppor-
tunities to manifest themselves. We shall
never know, until the great Judgment Day
shall reveal it, how many fearful crimes have
been averted by the hand of death. We are
too oft inclined to look upon death as
destroyer, king Of terrors, an enemy to
our race; but it has carried away, pos
sibly the germs of many an awful
crime, of many dreadful calamity to our
selves and others. How many Deaths men
tally, has the poor creature suffered within the
Last three months who is now confined in
| prison as the murderer Of Charles Goodrich?
And how much better it would have been for
her had death cut her off ere the passion which
eliminated in crime had developed itself
Another Of the watchful shepherds is Rev.
DR.. Ever, who seemed to be impressed with
the fact that according to the New Tesla
ment, those very things which are considered
as blessings in an earthly sense are considered
the opposite in q heavenly sense" Pride, for
instance, through which man has lost heaven;
| victory in an argument or on the battle field;
the acquisition of wealth or honor or position
to none of these things is there benedicion
attached But neither is there malediction
attached. And there are many good things
suggested, if not commanded and COM
mended, in the New Testament upon
which blessings are not pronounced. And
while the Scriptures urge and more heartily
commend the best things they do not de-
nounce nor decry those things which may be
only second best Humility is preferable to
pride, meekness to effrontery; but diligence
in business and conquest in controversy are
not condemned, but are applauded both by
precept and example. Christianity and the
Christian life do not mean to walk the earth,
crowned with thorns and bowed down in sor-
row always. The glory of the Lord is to rise
upon it and a crown of sunshine and of glory
is to encircle its brow. We have no SYM
pathy, therefore, with that type Of Christianity
which sees nothing lovely or loveable in this
life and which is always journeying through
o vale of tears, with many cloud overcast.
Another one of the faithful few is DR.. Par
fridge, rector of Christ church, Bedford ave-
,1N kaI IL 10
balance their accounts with God that they
might know how much every man owed to Him.
As the God of our salvation He has an account
current with each one ofus, and the debit and
credit are kept by an unseen hand in the Book
of Life. On the credit side of the ledger the
Doctor considered how few are the miseries
compared with the many mercies of life And
this is everywhere true and always true, though
men are sometimes so blinded that they see
only the misery, but not the mercy.
Mr.. Hepworth no longer leads his disciples,
but has assigned this duty to Rev. Mr.. Ly-
man, who yesterday analysed and set forth
the elements contained in condemnation, and
opinion, before which 80 many men in our
day are condemned or acquitted By and by
the law which men are now breaking will
turn and cut them. But if q man makes up
his mind to repent Christ is on his side, and
faith is strong enough to make him take up
the Ratchet Of will and strike OF the roots of
his past sin. The sin is forgiven and the con-
domination passes away.
Dr.. Adams Presbyterian pulpit was like
wise supplied by q stranger-Rev. DR.. OAR
ling, of Albany-who held up the heroic Apos-
tie Paul as o moral hero and preacher The
two distinguishing characteristics which
marked and ennobled his career were his IN
shaken confidence in his personal acceptance
with Christ and q thorough knowledge of him
self and firm conviction of his own indi-
vidual sinfulness. These traits, in an emil
nent degree. would make hero of any man,
and much more of such O man as Saul of
Tarsus.
Rev. Mr.. Camp set forth the great truth that
we best answer the Saviour invitation to fol-
low Him, not by promises, but by walking in
His ways and keeping His Commandments.
This was the way the disciples answered it,
and this is how He expects every one of us to
answer it practically, day by day.
DR.. Samson clearly indicated to his hearers
that success in life cannot be attained unless