The New York herald., 1874-09-21
BEEKMAN HILL METHODIST EPISCOPAL
CHURCH.
Christian Enterprise-What Is 1t that
Gives Courage to Christianity:

Christian Enterprise-What Is 1t that
Gives Courage to Christianity.
The reOpening exercises OF the Beekman Hill
methodist Episcopal Sunday school took place
yesterday at two 2. NJ, under very pleasing cir
cumstances. The improvements and decorations
OF the building were subject of general admira-
fiOn. Indeed, 1T was evident to the numerous
parents residing in the vicinity who were present
that no pains had been spared 10 make the Sab
bath schooirooms commodious and comfortable
and an artistic eye would easily observe that both
taste and judgment were displayed in the changes
that have been made during the recess.
TIE exercises were full Of interest and were
varied by the singing OF the school children and
prayer. Some addresses OF an earnest character
were delivered, that of the pastor appealing very
forcibly to the auditors.
Az tie morning service, Rev. W. II. Thomas
preached from Luxe, ix., 49,. "But he sail unto
them, give ye them to eat And they SAID, we
have no more but Ave loaves and two fishes; ex-
cept we should 60 and buy meat for all THIS
people," He said Two words make a picture for
me. The world has put upon them arbitrary
meanings. They are enterprise and conservatism.
Conservatism deals with great questions in
cautious and careful spirit. Men possessed with
these principles felt strongly the necessity Of
guarding against unthoughtful Innovation. On the
other hand rashness plunges boldly into every
thing. But rashness is not enterprise in the Cos
pei sense OF the word. Enterprise is q matter of
Calculation. 1t reckons up everything and,
according to the best principles OF common
sense, sees Its way to successful result
But in regard TO Christian enterprise new ee-
ment enters INTO 1t and forms its main feature. 1t
Is tnat an Almighty power is at the back fit. The
divine and potent influence which suggests grand
and noble enterprises TO Christians assists them
in the difficulties they meet with, md will never
fail to carry them through successfully even unto
tue end. general commanding an army in the
field often gives orders, the wisdom OF which his
subordlnates are at q loss TO comprehend. SO
with Jesus In this country OF the Gadarenes,
wnich Is over against Galiiee lie gave his fol.
lowers an impossible command. lie told them to
feeu the multitude, fully knowing that they had
but five loayes ana two fishes. They oOeyed Him,
aud trey succeeded IN doing so. so IL Is with
CHRISTIAN ENTERPRISE.
II we act when God speaks 10 US the results viii
speak Tor themselves. Take Tor Instance the order
gwen to the Israeites to cross the Red sea. There
were no bridges nor any means OF doing 1T. And
for moment, reject what the difficulty Is OF nov
ing an army OF one hundred thousand men, pro-
yidng for their various wants and being prepared
for all contingencies. Here whole nation Is
moveu at once by the divine command. they are
gathered on the banks OF the Red Sea, and without
being PROVIDED with any natural means OF cross
ing because they go forward, leaving the results
80 God, all obstacles vanish before them. After
the same fashion the was vi Jericho fell down at
the sound Of the trumpet simply because the conf
mands OF the Almighty We're obeycd.
This lesson was preached powerfully by Jesus,
fresh rom the contumely VI a maeiactor's death.
lie directed his hunDe uisc1pes 10 go ana teach
the proud and learned world. needless alike OF the
suDerciliary dsdain Of the GreClan sopnlst and the
powerful Roman. AIDED by Omnipotence, these
men found that they were able TO cope with the
world; because with divine assistance men are
capable of doing thousands Of Things which, II left
TO themselves, they could not at all attempt or
compass. Man IL not machine. Tie City OF
PekiDg was built with the utmost care, ana no ey-
pense was spared upon her to make her wonder