The New York herald., 1873-08-25
PATCHOGUE PIETY.
Experimental Religion Not Enthu-
siasm-SermOn by tho Rev. William
Lawrence.

Lawrence.
PATCHoGUE, L. l.. August "a, 1873.
The easterly storm which has prevailed here for
the last ten days has had tendency to deplete
the large number OF guests who filed the boarding
houses; yet, Notwithstanding the unpropitious
weather, the village presents an animated appear
ance, especially Ocean avenue, which Is mile
and half long, and is the principal drive to the
beach Among the places OF worship here the Meth
Odist church seems to take the lead. The pastor,
Rev. William Lawrence, is an able preacher and
occupies prominent position In the New York
East Conference. His theme this morning was,
experimental Religion Not Enthusiasm" The
text was taken from Acts XVI, "a 25-"And as
he thus spake for himself Festus said with O
loud voice, Paul. thou art beside thyself; much
learning doth make thee mad. But ne said am
not mad, most noble Festus, but speak forth the
words OF truth and sOberness." In his opening re-
marks the preacher said that vital religion is but
little understood by worldly men. With many the
mere form OF godliness comprises all the meaning
which they af1ix to the word religion" In this
aspect it eXcites in them little opposition. 1t Is
only when 1t becomes living, experimental power
that the whole energies of the carnal mind are
aroused and concentrated in bitter hostility to it,
narration by sincere Christian OF his. religious
experience, in which he depicts his depth of grief
doned beever-a life spent in prayer and praise
and in seeking for the treasure and rewards of
PIETY AND sELF-DENYING ZEAL,
which evealed the reality OF mans faith In the
truth OF Gods word, was to the masses Of men
madness and enthusiasm. Such persons were
deemed enthusiasts; and unbelieving men looked
upon pure religion as the offspring of heated
brain. Religious experience was to them an un-
fathomabe enigma. This point was elaborated,
and.the interesting interview of Festus and Paul,
OF which the text made mention, was narrated by
the speaker. Paul den led the allegation OF mad
ness, and strenu0usly maintained that he had
spoken no more than the sober truth, without any
exaggeration. The reverend gentleman pro-
ceeded to define the nature of enthusiasm.
Probably tn ose who applied the word
to religious men might find them
selves in an awkward position If asked
for its meaning, and this miro r, rightly placed,
might reveal to him his own likeness instead OF
that Of his religious neighbor An enthusiast could
be detected by one or more of the following evil
dences Either he has chosen an unworthy or un-
attainable object, or, fit were desirable and at
tainabe, used totally inadequate means to attain
1t, or else, though the object be worthy and the
means used appropriate, the individual pursued it
extravagantly He showed that religion was an
object worthy OF pursuit. 1t was pearl worth
more than all earthly p0ssessions-a panacea pre-
THE DIVINE PHYSICIAN
who sought this treasure would find It, and wit
nesses could be summoned from earth, heaven
and he'll; from the Jungles Of India, the rugged
SUBMITS OF the Alps, the sparsely populated
prairie and the crowded city to prove the faithful
ness ness Of the Divine promises: me mere enthusiast,
might strain his eyebas after the winged goddess
Fortune, but she would always ny from him. The
enthusiastic but 1t did do every sincere seeker
who used the right means, which we're minutely
described clearly stated and illustrated BY living
God had marked out could be an enthusiast, be-
cause he used the appropriate means to gain
not yield to Gods mode or
OBTAINING FORGIVENESS OF SIN
and put forth no earnest effort to reach heaven
were open to the charge of being enthusiasts.
The preacher went on to remark that, whatever
and So as to ax the charge Of e
thusiasm on the pursuer experimental and
iervent piety was not open TO the charge.
quantity of the fervor, but by its quality.
4 man might properly be called an en-
thusiast who lifted anything out of its proper
sphere or worth and paid it The service which his
own fancy alone mad made 1t merit. such were
those who pursued wealth an and worldly pleasure
higher nature. II was not possible to lift religion
out OF It's position; TOR without its light gross dark
present and future state. Aroused by the thought
OF eternity, OF human sin and by the revelations OF
heaven and nell was u any w0naer INA .mat men should
appropriate Illustrations He who sinks down INTO
THE LURID FLAMES OF HE'LL
will never think he could have done too much to
escape them, while he who rises TO reside forever
In the city OF the living God will not think THAI he
too earnest In putting forth effort TO get these.
ON the top Of the golden gates OF the beaute0us
city which John saw In vision was the inscrp-
tion, The kingdom OF heaven su6cretn violence
and the violent take 1t by force." In conclusion
the congregation we're urged to manifest the req
uisite amount Of zeal and earnestness IN securing
the blessings OF the Gospel. The preacher assured
them that when the eye had lost Its brightness and
the pulse grew feeble, when tne hour OF departure
| ron loyed friends had conf none o. them would