New-York tribune., 1874-03-23
RELIGION A NECESSITY.
Tae Rer A. s. Patton d. D.. at the Hamilton PARK BIpts,
,TerScJ

IN Iet' a. o. foV"' ~ ~ U'N ''i'' 0''''i
The Rev. A. s. Patton, d. d., preached yester-
day morning at the Hamilton Park Baptist Church in
Jersey City. His text the Words 1t is your lfe"
from Deut Xxxil, Al He said:
BY many religion is regarded something extraueous,
a luxury, If choose make it SO. At most, mere
experience to cultivated neglected at pleasure.
They do not reckon 1T among the substantial in
terests OF life. Tney disposed TO consider it
real want much less the highest necessity Of their being
Differing widely from these we hold that other things
may be desirable but this is needfu In support Of this
position. ask your attention to argument deduced
from our moral constitution spiritual condition. and
our future destiny. Man essentially religious being
He feels in his heart deep need of spiritual life. and
debased. ignorant, and wicked as he may be- he yet
Soul The fact is God has so constituted us that the
faithfaculty will develop itself in FORM and where
gwen OF most shocking development of degradation
and deprayity. 1t is true this characteristic often
indicates the presence of fire. every corrupt manfes
ation OF devotion evidence of mans craving for
religion. Hence, there is nation or tribe, or people,
who are utterly Indifferent to the claims Of religious
worship At some shrine, in some way, TO some Deity
men Will pay their devOtOns. The only explanation ior
this found in the fact that deep down in the SOUL God
has implanted principle, passion, or whatever we
of faith and practice the existence OF
Deity and the duty of devotion. Beyond all question
ultyr Man was made to love God and to be loved by
Him. and. though now at enmity with God. the soul
loving him. and even in its Ignorance weakness, and
snuness not to lament It's apostasy and to sign
for something meet its spiritual yearnlngs All the
hopes cherish, and all the aspirations indulge,
and all the intense craving, we feel for SOME
indicate most plainly the existence OF a moral
Constitution an imperative ,n nsed nsD OF religion
after something satisfy his SOUL matter how
ton OF spiritual want evidence 0f his absolute
need OF religion. And as God has given us such na
that we cannot be satisfied with anything less than
tha m AIDE ifs nlru
forced to recognize Its exact adaptation To
gion In its general influences society, but who
trey overlook the fact that is personal necessity
their own being their to discover what their greatest
need is, and consequently they have conception OF
Looking at the subject In this light could not fail
discover that religion Is necessity TO them-that be-
dispense with 10 is TO cheat the soul OF its best portion
To neglect is to forego the highest good that mortas
secure.
vinced that religion makes the only provision for the
souls relief from SIM well for s refreshmen in
all the, trials and duties OF our probation. And,
while IL proves Itself adapted to our spiritual condition,
by fully meeting our wants, we are satisfied that no
In other way can the sense OF guilt feel be re-
moved From no other source can we draw the strength
and comfort require Religion Is needful in view OF
future destiny. It all ~ know what is
before II has always been OF anxiety with
thinking gain conception OF the future. Accept
ing the intutive fact and Scripture doctrine Of the
souls immortality It is only natural that We should feel
such has always characterized all bot the most
solid and gross Of This yesrnng for know
edge Of what to be exists In almost every human soul
Nor this craving be satisfied with anything short OF
the positive testimony OF revelation. Here lie and l
mortality brought 10 light and all that we neeu 10
know, all that know, is fully and plainly re-
vealed.
But while the province OF the Christian religion 10
reveal the truth with reference TO the souls destiny
has . higher mission. It's great practical aim ~ ~
make meet for Inheritance among the saints In
light Recognizing. then. the fact OF our immortality
and the need Of preparation for the future We
4. N nfF Fnl
revealing the only aud means OF attaining present
and eternal blessedness Its advantages are felt In
every stage and experience OF life, but they are
especially manifest In the Immediate prospect and
experience Of DEATH The things of eternity are then
70 be 30 real aud that they are often en-
joyed before they yet possessed. Said the dying
Baxter when asked by friend how he was, Almost
well and nearly home" Only more stiles TO get
over said martyr looking the fields TO the spot
where he was 70 be burnt "Ony two more stes 30 ges
ovur and am at my Fathers house" l am going
home, said another ~ fast as can and bless God
that have good house togs TO-" And what does this
toach US unless 10 be that religion meets the sous
greatest wants; first. revealing, and then In prepar
lug US for glorious deslnyt In the light Of such
truths, religion is clearly nrst want We need ~
because God has 10 constituted us that We wrone our
own souls In neglecting It. We need It. because alone
saves us from sin and opens the 10 light and I'M
-portApE< We need pov We shaN pesd II shli moro