The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-09
ST. STEPHENS CHURCH.


Hearing Of the WOrd-HOw the Seed
Fails to Bring Forth Fruit.
The near approach of the Lenten season Is al.
ready beginning to De felt in religious circles and
while there may be many shrug of the laic's
shoulder at the penitential exercises which the
Church imposes her faithful children for several
weeks before Easter still It must be consolation
to the pastors to see the congregations buc King
on the religious armOr and cr0wding the churches
in the preparation for the approaching season.
At st. Stephens church yesterday morning most
encouraging sight, in this view OF the matter pre-
sented ITSELF and at the vespers in the afternoon
not seat was vacant, the music, however, being
always deserved attraction at this service.
THE MUSIC.
There was no "Gloria" sung yesterday. The 'Cre.
do" was Rossis. in MINOR. The 'sanctus" was by
Danorth the organist OF the church. the leading fea
ture being Duet which was sung by Miss Munier
and Nine. Bredelll. At the vespers Donizetti's
music was given, but shortly before the benedc-
ton an cave Regina by Dan1orth was admirably
sung Dy the soprano. The "Tantum Ergo" sung i'm
medlatey before the Deneulctlon, WAS Merca-
dante's.
Mccready Alter the first Gospel the Rev. Dr.. NC
Glynn preached from the Gospel OF the
aay-Luss vn, t.1S The parable ,,on IN
in the similitude Is the word OF God -They by the
and saEesS the word out Of their heart lest, be.
lieving. they should be saved. Now they upon the
SK % n or the
believe for while and In time OF temptation they
fall away. And that which fell among thOrns are
choked with the cares and riches and pleasures OF
this life. and yield no fruit. But that on the good
eaq nearing tie word keep It and bring ring sTtS
fruit with patience" With this explanation before
us we shall do well TO Mediate on the parable de-
vouty and to think seriously on Its application to
ourselves. OF the i0ur portions OF seed mentioned
in the Gospel we see that only one was productive;
i irait. 'e Tsey BY the wassSe neard But they
yielded to the devil and lost the word out Of
their heart This is the case with those who come
before the affairs OF our churches and hear the
Word OF God preached and 20 out into the world
again only to yield TO the old temptations and CEN
again iell upon rock and as soon as 1t sprung up
It died away because Il had no moisture. And
here we can behold that class OF persons VINO
In whose souls there Is promise OF good to come,
for they joyiully resolve upon amendment; yet
when they fall away again and SIN. The seed also
fell among .horns and was choked. How many are
there TO whom this warning 81 the Saviour but TOO
ures Of the world become 80 engrOss-
Ing that people abandon the care Of their
God calls upon them, aud the Word ts preached TO
them rom the very voice Of the sayour calling IN
HIS GOspel Tor nearing, Out, tnOu8n the 6take at
issue Is An eternal welfare, yet these deluded
people refuse to peisevere, Welding to the snares
OF the enemy at the very first summons from
former cares and pleasures. This wretched con-
dltion OF heart Is alarming for God cannot always
De sending forth invitations. The time is sure TO
come when the soul must pass away, and it is
then found-but too late-that the cares OF the
world become too completely master for subjec.
ton. We cannot conquer the habits OF our lives at
the hour OF death. But another part OF the seed
feel upon good ground and yielded fruit hun
drediold. Where the seed falls here it grows into
beautiful modification, spreading itself upward
until at last IT appears In perfect state. Those
who hear the Word OF God and let II sink deeply
into their hearts md that 1t elevates their aspira-
tions, hour by hour to God And the result Is that
the word so purihes them from indifYerences about
their souls saivatlon and from inordinate love OF
the world and its temptations and pleasures that
the heart becomes sensible OF Its cardinal obiiga
lions, and truly good life is lived on to the end
it is therefore, OF the most grave Importance to
each OF us that when we hear the lessons
taught by the Gospel we pay heed TO their meaning
and their inculcations. The salvation OF SOUS
is OF far vaster importance to US than the mere
passing qualification OF our bodies. The way to
secure eternal safely Is to garner the seed which Is
sOwn our hearts, so that no distractions shall be
suffered to interfere with the growth Of Gods
grace as 1t comes TO us from an humble following
OF the Savlours teaching.