The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-10-12
ST. JAMES CHURCH.
The Growth OF Christian Character
Sermon by Bishop Whitaker, OF Ne

The Growth OF Christian Character
Sermon by Bishop Whitaker, OF Ne
vadn.
The pulpit of this neat little Episcopal church,
corner Lexington avenue and Seventy second
street. was flied by the Right Rev. Dr. Whitaker,
Bishop OF Nevada, who preached from II. Peter,
ILL.,. ls-" Grow in grace.n This growth in grace
he began, is q work most significant OF the
eternal love and favor OF God toward man. We
live because He has given US life; we
have hope of the future, because He
has given rs q Saviour. Salvation is
Gods gilt. All the elements OF the Christian char
acter are the result OF Gods grace. They are
heavenly affections, wrought BY HIS Kindness. We
understand the text TO mean Christian character
ana in this we are asked to grow. God has given
men different faculties, so that some become SUI
perior to influences that would conquer weaker
men. Man uses his conscience to distinguish be-
tween right and wrong. The man who avoids evil
influences, who, being able to distinguish the right
course keeps to 1t, and who shapes his life
IN accordance with his beliefs, is, in
q high sense. man OF character
There are few in the world who even do this
much. There are lew who do not think more OF
what they nave than what they are. A man may
be almost perfect in the eyes OF the world and yet
not possess the Christian character. There is a
higher character than that which the worlds
Judgment bestows upon an individual. The high
est character
TAKES CHRIST AS ITS MODEL.
and derives It's power and inspiration from
Him. This would tend to elevate the afrec-
lions and to purify and educate the
csnscciencs; y showing "a. . standard BY
be seen. Grand and noble is this EXPLORATION Of
Christian religion is the growth OF such charac-
ter. salvation Is grace for without Gods grace
humanity the lowest faculties are the strongest.
To overcome this God seeks the heart; to this end
God works in man. He would bring each part OF
our nature in harmony with the rest,
and He would bring US in harmony with
His laws. But no man can reach this
without the life giving energy OF the Holy Ghost.
spirit working in you. The formation OF Christian
character is as truly a growth as Is the progress
OF q tree which first sends forth Its blossom and
then the fruit. The germ OF the fruit was there all
the WHILE but il needed the influences Of the sun
to bring 1t to, maturity. 80 In every CHRISTIAN
there Is process analogous to this. The true
idea of God WORKING in man Is the gradual unfold
ing OF the powers He has bestowed.
h GROWTH IN GRACE
Is to be obtained through certain processes. A
man may grow IN grace, or he may shrink and
produce no ruit. Growth implies time and ii
Christian character were instantly formed 1t
would not be a growth. 1t needs time and I.
needs careful and continued effort. tree that Is
dead puts forth no buds, be the spring ever so
beautiful and warm. II yon have not re-
ceiyed the holy lie YOU will not grow in
Christian character. Ii you are growing
your saviour. Then your trust in Ged will be
steadast, and you will think less or self and more
OF others. the question Is not, are you perfect in
all these qualities, but are you growing and COM
shall die. but this shall endure forever. You must
Use faithfully the means by which this character
is to be obtained Let the forces OF your life draw
you toward Christ and give your heart CON-
Dletely to Him.