New-York tribune., 1874-05-18
SPIRITUAL HUNGER AND THIRST.


The sermon at the Central Methodist EDls-
copa Church, seventhave. Thireenh-st., yes
erlay was delivered by the pastor, the Rev. +. Bot
tome, upon blessings OF Spiritual Hunger" taking
for his text. Matthew v, g.: Blessed are they which
do hunger aud tITst after righteousness; for they shall
he filed
There was remarkable contrast he said between the
Introduction the law aud tho introduction Of the Cos
pei. One was inaugurated with terrible symbols Of
soverc suty, and he other 10y prOcamdtiOns OF peace
"Cursed every that continueth not in all things
that written in the book Of the law to them." de-
New. And set tfey We're not contrary 10 each Other.
brt only the amper unfolding OF the former the lat
Ter Tie Gospel law Is more severe than the Mosaic
fur st mdhcs dl!cdtioH 10 me ntrt, 10 tue epirIt
OF obedience. only He brings in the fuller of what
perfect but bringing OF better did That
has ahouuded. grace might much more abound
The nealtudc quoted is fun of encouragement, while
its demands exact and universal Righteousness
STANDS the whole OF outward aud inward religion.
IL Is derived "stUd ghI-edge and means an exact
standard OF lc, correct state OF the heart IL Is not
simply that social righteousness with which men have TO
do. EciOuels most earnestly seek after this
thing applied TO society, bat all efforts after righteous
at Government ana men that have their origin IN
law and statutes only be temporary, and must fail,
because tcv DO not stIKe deep enough Law may com
pei conformity, hut cannot compel loyalty tbs Is
thing OF the heart. Righteousness Is subjective pTln-
ciPc. A. used here, IL nphes al that Is meant Dy true
religion GJdliscuCss. That is Its THIS right
is conditioned earnest desire for 1t. The
figure used 10 express TINS desire II most expressive,
"hGnstI-thrst.' You cannot completely master these
petes must assert themselves. sometimes these appe
ut,s are mt. slficd until they become agony. Now
CrTS sZs these appetiteS OF our spiritual and
tcu OIt IN search or righteousness. lie demands
a COati-Iuu from reaching that experience that We
shall MS crave after II ABOVE all things. II must be
the pearl OF great price When the heart is
awtS"u,d 90 TN, want lt w not he satisfied TIL il OBJ
tins lts desire. Whenever desire becomes passion you
cGuuO; IcsI, i Tie Object OF the head fills all the
vision auI purpose, aud sooner later will ind way
There. Jist as thD starving babe viii ind way 10 the
ulOiLt. H breast.
50 prepared to the nlessedness of the state
1ts condition of spiritual hunger Is common good.
a. shows hat thc soul s coming back to its normal
dtiOn. Inr soul demands God, and nothing else can
satisfy really. Al things contrary at best but
OttS 50 % say the soul Is hungerDg after God is 20
That IL is recovered from its stupOr stu The
hupfemcst moment OF the prOdigds history was when
he came 10 himself. There the very effort after
goodness something tuat makes a better for the
Inc trouble IN the church there are so
few troubled at all They never ask for food
They sIcky and feeble and don't know IT. But the
tuat really wants God shall lind him. for God holds
himself 20 TINS condition, unto that will look"
The practical question Is how 10 get an appetite The
word Gods uuatic asylum, and the Church is Gods
OF skllfu InY sclanS
less acute diseases than for the slow haldeteTmned
Gases that puzzle al diagnosis 80 the worst ito
deal with m tue Church the slow haf-determned
cascs-the sluggish, sentimental droamers that
never more than hafawako There is quackery in the
world aud qudckery IN the church. To get good appe
me, don't say ~ 10 overloaded table, YOU would
Only lO@the tine sight OF IT, don't say NOPE medl-
tatOn, much less read novels TOmances nor do say
ana mptOms with those of others
skg yOursef but ~ directly % the great and good
lhNs.clou. lake yourself there, and wait ON Him TIL
Tie Holy spirit comes and creates ia you clean heart
anu rcyNes rs1t spirit within YOU For God will not
hOck your earnest search.