The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-27
CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.

Necessity OF Perfect Conviction and u
Settled Purpose In Life-sermOn by the
Rev. George HI. Hepworth.
very large and somewhat varied assemblage
was gathered at Steinway Hall. The singing, rem
dered entirely by the congregation, was particularly
nne not as 1t generally is, constrained and 1ndis-
ttnct, but loud and clear Mr.. Hepworth's subject
was, 'Hating Between Two Opinions" and was
based upon |. Kings xviii, 2l-"How long halt We
between two opinionsi II the Lord be God follow
him; but II Baal, then follow him."
The prophet Elijah seems to have lost all patience
with the people; and do not wonder at it. They
were just like children. At times when Jehovah
made special manifestations OF Himself the whole
nation, with one accord, would worship and obey
Him. At other times when it appeared his pur-
pose to try them, they grew respondent and DISC
bedient. 1t Is at such
DRAMATIC MOMENT
as this last that the Prophet Elijah accuses them
OF Inconsistency. Can they not obey the word of
God unless it is constantly heard The nation has
been defeated and well-nigh destroyed, the re-
mander are verging on unbeief. Elijah meets
them face to face, and tells them, "If ye believe
In God follow him il In Baa, follow him; but have
D mind Of your own. Live for u purpose; fight for
an object, good or bad" 1t seems to me as II this
were typical of our condition, very largely. There
are many men anu WOMEN Ill tnls community, IN
this very hail. who are living entirely without
plan.. They live like beggars, uncertain what they
will eat or where they Will sleepthe very creatures
OF chance. While they acknowledge the beauty
and purity s.s 81 Constantly ben and Mhe
ences, they have not energy enough to solve
the problem forever. How many are there IN
reach OF my voice who have passed their lives with
their convictions like the sky OF to-day, misty and
with the sun breakG. out occasionally And how
many are there whose sky has always been dark
You are nxious about your personal comforts and
your business, and dare say thai there Is not a
single person here who has not some plan Ior to-
morrow. 1t may have commenced IN dream;
but 1t is now underneath all your life. No man
can tempt you TO the right or TO the left. fou VIII
wait twenty yeaIs but at last You will put your
hand upon 1t. And do you mean to say that your
business IL more important than your SOUR am
glad that you earnest IN business, for earnest
ness In anything develops the faculties. But,
come,
LET us BE SENSIBLE.
II we are willing to do so much Tor worldly
fortune, ought we not lay up yenly treasures,
And II we have a plan do you mean to tell me
Tor long time against this indecison and vacill-
ton. Belief and uncertainty are SO interviewer
That you can scarcely tear them apart. Is there "a
man who believes that there Is a heaven as firmly
as he beheves that there is an earths There is no
start from here to Europe and should sail south
when the wind blew south, east when the wind
blew east, and so should be governed by the Winds
how long would 10 take him to get to his harbOr
His tlmbers would rot first. man takes his neigh
boris promissory note on his beliefin the soundness
OF that neighbours plans. ] simply ask you to do in
spiritual matters as In business don't think much
OF an apple blossom, but think great deal OF the
grown apple. In the second place, no strength
can come from indecision. The man who believes
with all his might acts. II you show me an unde-
cided man | will show you weak man.
He Is in constant, danger He is cross
ing bridge full OF trapdoors. III he gets
across Is Especial providence. SO the 1rst thing
to do IL to follow the words OF the prophet-make
mp your mind and live according TO your convlc-
ton. No matter for public opinion. Now, there Is
ROOM FOR vACILLATTON
wnere there are two opinions. But are there two
opinions about ChristanltyY Have YOU not all
ever been the comfort OF the oppressed and
have you not heard the voice OF Christ coming
IKE an echo down the ages telling You to
come higher, higherH You have Ielt q higher
power when you have met success; when the
babe has been called away, despite your frantic
grief You must confess the power OF crcum-
stances, and II you could only act in harmony with
that power all would be well II 4 could call a
prove the same. The only chance Tor happiness is
obedience 10 the divine VIII. When you have u
conviction and follow that out you have master
ana king, and at last you shall sit at Jesus right
hand. man tells me, will follow the Lord but
want to do IL In my own way. / lead q good life,
and am reasonably honest.
CHRIsT's WAY BETTER THAN YOURS,
and you had better follow IL. Christ said confess
me before men, study me Tor yourself. Receive
your commands from your general. The speaker
here related how he was once accustomed to send
his mother presents by messengers; but his mother
said, George care more for one embrace than
for all your presents" And so IL Is In Christianity.
The best plan IL personal contact In the New
Testament there IL instituted personal relation.
II you in trouble, go to Christ II you ore poor,
go to Christ You have nothing In this world that
Christ does not give you There IL no sweetness in
religion but It's personality Have purpose all
through lie, and that purpose to serve Christ