The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-30
ALANsoN METHODIST CHURCH.
The Folly OF the Rich Agriculturist and
Its Lessons-Sermon by Bishop james.

The Folly OF the Rich Agricultu and
Its Lessons-Sormon by Bishop james.
The pulpit OF the Alanson Methodist Episcopal
church, in Norfolk street, was occupied yesterday
morning by Bishop James. who preached brief
discourse upon the parable OF the rich agricultu-
rist, recorded in the twelfth chapter of st. Luke.
He said in it the Saviour described the conduct OF
person and then pronounced his verdict upon it.
The verdict that he was "a fool" Not that he
was wanting in sense, for the whole tenor OF the
parable showed that he had intellectual capacity.
Neither was he a fool simply because he was rich.
There was nothing wrong in accepting
and acquiring property If 1t were used in q
proper manner. Religion made men in
dustrious. frugal and enterprising, and, there
fore. 1t naturally tended to the requirement
ofwealth. The blessing Of the Lord maketh rich.
Nor did the folly Of the in the parable consist
in the enlargement OF his business plans for If our
business increased, 1t was right to increase facl-
tiles Tor Its transaction. But his folly consisted in
selashness, in laying up treasure for himself and in
not becoming rich toward God. The acquiring OF
wealth that we may have the pleasure Of counting
over our money, OF numbering our bonds and
mortgages and the stores we have to rent and
having 1t said when we die, HE was milionnairen
Is consummate folly. This mans folly was seen in
the perversiOn OF his possessions. Worldly things
were given to US to promote our temporal comforts
and physical well-beng and to aid us in the enter
priscs Of life, whether private or public; but the in
diydual in the parable perverted temporal blessings
to the excitement OF his soul. His language was,
"Soul, thou hast much goods laid up Tor many
years: take thine case, eat, drink and be mcrry.n
Just as II spacious barns great hay mounds, large
grain fields or the money which those would pro-
duce could satisfy his spiritual and immortal ma
ture; as II they could satisfy the claims OF the
heart and mental powers and make his soul happy.
TINS was great error In his calculation. The
moral with the moral, the intellectual with the
intellectual; and Tor an individual possessed
Siren sons indulge ms su sGu ancpa
tions was asa fo oils. so absurd that it
were muititudes who acted IN their daily life upon
the principle, Eat, drink and be merry" The
folly Of tins man was further seen in his not meet
ing his obligations to his SOUL for it was said to
him, "This night thy soul shall be required OF
thee" Many persons failed to perceive their per-
sona responsibilities for their character and des
tiny. Some individuals depended upon the piety
and prayers OF their parents upon the fidelity OF
tons OF the Church to save them while others
cied that because Jesus Christ tasted death for
every man that would avail for their eternal saliva
ton The Bishop went on to say that all these cal.
culations were vain; that every individual
must personally answer at the Judgment
him and herself obtain pardonng mercy
and sanctifying grace. 1t was true that Jesus
Christ expated our guilt and made it possible Tor
work of repentance ana faith in Jesus would only
be performed by man. Bishop James narrated an
incident Of his early ministry where very cody
man had prayed for disslpated son, but apparently
to no purpose. The father suddenly died, and as
soon as the hayward boy arrived from distance
he cried to God for mercy because he had no hope
left He relied upon his fathers prayers to save
him, and he felt that he must pray for himself or
perish. The preacher proceeded To remark that
the folly OF the man spoken Of in the parable was
further seen In his confident calculations on long
life. .sThou hast much goods laid up in
store for many years." When we saw on almost
every block In our business streets ware
houses for co1ns signs OF undertakers' establish
ments and mourning stores, when we knew not
but the breath we were now drawing was the last
one, and that the day which had dawned upon us
how supremely foolish twas It to say, "Thou hast
goods laid up In store for many years. In allud-
ing TO the death OF Horace Clarke the Bishop said
'It Is only few Sabbaths ago that In this city
millionaire sat In council with other capitalists
to see how they should increase their already great
wealth, and before Saturday night his soul was
rnGut<ed Of bin apd ne was " ctarnttL Well