The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-06
CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.

New Stock OF Religion for tho New
Year-Aim OF Life-CrOwing Over Their
New Departure and It's Ends-Sermon
by Rev. George HI. Hcpworth.
Notwithstanding the unusually inclement
weather there was very large attendance at the
services yesterday morning at Steinway Hall. This
was probably owing to the fact that 1t was the first
Sabbath Of the new year and the expectation that
Mr.. Hepworth would Ngnaize the event by o
specially brilliant sermon adapted TO the occasion
In this respect the congregation was not dissp.
pointed He preached
NEW YEARS SERMON.
His text was Psalms, lxxXix, 47-"Remember
how short my time is." The old Druids Of Britain
observed at this season Of the year custom which
was peculiarly significant. The head OF the family
extinguished their nre and repaired to the central
affairs, and from thence took brand to light
new fire for new year. The spirit OF that custom
lives still with u.s. There is degree Of pathos and
Hps %ssS IN The having
aside all wOrldllness and care, and get our brand
to light our new fire for the new year. ANOTHER year
has just gone. 1t Is beyond our grasp. No power
Of ours can recall It, Its record Is closed as a
business man seals his ledger, which is filled up,
his his so SOW 50 the angels Of Immortality viii
some time take our book from it's place and read
our thoughts our words and actions. It is not for
can only be given by your own hearts. How mar
veleus Is the passage OF time To-day we are boys;
tomorrow we are in middle life. 1t seems but q
ntful dream. 1t has lost its marvellous roseate
tint It Is sober gray 1t Is severe f., fact. When
you for the frst time 1t comes ike cloud between
you and the sun. It cools your enthusiasm.
am sinking in the west. At any moment unfor.
seen disaster or accident may come, and with
iessened powers Of resistance 1 may be swept
power. Time will ny. You have not power to stay
II. BE you scornlui or prayerfui your watch ticks
SO we are always neutrality-suspicious. up or down
depends on us. Though life Is short eternity is
long We have beginning. but no END; We begin
our growth, as do the trees OF the forest And each
ring carries US nearer to God. No,
TIME IS NOTHING
It tells on our bodies, not on our souls. You
must measure II by experience.
The time that bears no fruit deserves no name;
Oh how misdated on their aaVTing tombs.
Life is but a means to an end, that end ap-
preaching nearer ar to COD: .3 Tnis year Is
to US as q religious society Twelve months ago
we started on new life. Your friendship bore me
Christ, our watchword Christ, our weapon the
cross our aim to save the souls of men. We were
went into the Community to lay the corner stone Of
OUR NEW CHURCH,
and that church Is for rich and poor. We care
nothing tor riches and jewels. Men are men; God
is our father, and we are the servants OF Jesus
Christ. This is our foundation. There are those
who, il We neglect them, shall be responsible for
their lost sousS At the throne OF God there will be
50 many witnesses against you This Is RESPONSE
bility that cannot be shaken OIL. There are
young men and young women who are now taking
Che first downward step. Life Is 30 fascinating
leave them alone Sure OF heaven, shall we sit,
like Pharisees, In our own righteousness No
man is sure OF heaven who Is simply passively
pure. He must save others. He must 60 forth into
LIFTING THE DOwN-TRODDEN
nthA half yv0 hnu q
others nearly at the bottom Shall we see them
nOat down the current and only shudder as they
90 over the cataract And we can speak to them
cross there will come to you Ia years peace That
passes all understanding but Il you refuse to en-
brace na all e w Is s % wha
good il lileY No grass for Spring. no fruits for
autumn. Were Christ blotted out of your life your
life would be q Sahara without an Oasis-sand,
sand sand. Well, we are standing on the threshold
OF another year. We cannot tel what day may
FRIENDS AND FORTUNE
are unstable, but 1t Is In the power OF each OF you
to make o character as stable as eternity itself.
Though we cannot control our bodies We can con-
trs our souls and let do 1t in an improved fash
lon. IL Is a marvellous thing that men fail to do
this. We build our little boats. weigh anchor
shore Of our childhood is soon out Of
sight. and with masts sprung and our sails
is here no salvation Yes. There comes noble
craft. She is headed for us. On her masthead is
the red cross OF calvary; her name christ the ke-
deemer. A rope is thrown US and we are draws
on board, saved saved from exposure and danger,
Ifter the close of the sermon the whole congre-
CATION united in repeating aloud the Lords Prayer
The voices, rising low and strong and then dying
away, resembled the deep roar Of the breakers
dashing on the Shore The names OF eighteen per-
sons who intended joining the church were read.
alter which was s,.e..ng by the congregation and
the closing benedction. ~ 49, -~~nsLs