The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-05

HotAnB more apparenC tnAn III puipIt lucoioSy'
There is no valid objection to this in certain
circumstances and with proper limitations
but one would suppose that in the Scriptures
there was ample breadth and scope for tho
thought of theologians to evolve something
new from time to time David prayed that
his eyes might be opened that he might behold
the wondrous things contained in Gods law !;
but our preachers now very generally close
their eyes to these wondrous things and range
over the fields Of fiction, sensation or science
to find something to help the people to believe
the Gospel. The prophecy is that the time
will come when there shall be a
famine, not of bread and water, but
of hearing the Word of the Lord, and the
indications are that if that time has not
already come it is not far distant. Can not
the Gospel be preached neither to illustrate the
art of Raphael or Angelo, the music Of Haydn,
topic, nor to be illustrated by these2 Has it
not specific purpose of its own, declared in
both its letter and spirit, which Is distinct
from all these things2 The Word Of Christ
has power in it, as DR.. Chaplin asserted yes
terday, because it has been heard by the
greater portion of the civilized world and be-
cause it lies at the foundation Of Christianity.
Science, the Doctor said, had obliterated many
errors, but to follow it to solution Of divine
problems would lead Us to nothingness. The
word of Christ is necessary to complete the
edifce
Mr. Hepworth attempted to measure Chris
tianity by its own rule, but he found that the
influence of Jesus Christ could not be
measured by any rule. 1t is found every
wherein painting, music, literature, science.
Indeed, wherever He is needed there He is;
and the great popularity Of the New Tesla
ment in treating Of him is its common sense
and its consequent demand for implicit obe-
dience.
In some respects this age is an age of faith.
Men trust each other more than they have
ever done before. But in other respects it is,
perhaps, the most sceptical age of the worlds
history There is need for great increase of
faith both toward God and toward our fellow
men. DR.. Atterbury tells us that this is to be
obtained not by cold and listless Indifference,
but by struggling to increase friendship with
God, by confding in Him and running to
Him with outstretched arms as children run
to kind and loving parent.
The browning attribute and emotion Of God
or man-love-received consideration at the
lips of DR.. Ormiston, who saw in the gift Of
Jesus Christ to be the Saviour of the world an
eternal and unanswerable truth that God is
love. It was the greatest, highest, grandest
gift that could be bestowed; and love that
could make such sacrifice as this could make
any other. Hence Paul argues that He who
spared not His own Son, but delivered Him
up for us all, win with Him also freely give us
all things
The unity Of the Christian Church, its pur-
poses and the means of its attainment were
treated by Mr.. Boole, who insisted that the
Church having but one head, even Christ has
only one life also, and however we may try to
galmnize the Church into second life to suit
the world, as so many preachers are now try
ing to do, its one life and purpose must re-
main and must make itself felt in the earth.
Rev. S. j. Stewart, who is evidently seeking
notoriety and the praise of men rather than
that of God, tried to answer the sensational
question, els Dancing Means of Gnce?" It
would seem to be such from the many church
members and others who resort to it and who
prefer it to the prayer meeting or the lecture
While Mr.. Stewart does not object to
dancing in itself he thinks that IS
practised among us, it is immoral
in its tendencies and helps to destroy
religion in the soul But no man or woman
who has religion enough to bear the soul to
the pearly gates will need to "trip the light
fantastic toe here or find anything congenial
in the dance or the theatre. And yet what do
the ministers Of our city do to turn the people
away from these questionable amusements
Does not their silence give consent to indul-
gence in these things?
Mr.. rockingham asked, els it better to die
than to live ?" Jonah said it was when the
worm gnawed away his gourd. So many
others have said when some triAing good has
been removed or when they have failed to OBJ
tain desired end. But suicide is cowardly
thing-the act of poltroon. Too many, we
doubt not, live, as Mr.. rockingham remarked,
with their faces toward the ground and their
backs toward the sunbeams. They turn in
the direction Of amusement and pleasure, and
if they cannot have perpetual change life
becomes weary and hateful and they end it
Father McGurk evidently has not much
faith in death-bed repentance, and hence he
cautioned his hearers against putting of recon
Citation with God until such ON hour.
watchfulness in spiritual things, even more
than in material things. He pointed out what
is involved in watchfulness and the degree Of
care that we should bestow upon such valua-
BILE treasures as God has committed to ou1
keeping.