The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-23
THE CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.
Sermon by the Rev. DIR. Hepworth-
s'By Faith the Walls or Jericho Fell

Sermon by the Rev. DR.. Hepworth-
Shy Faith the Walls OF Jericho Fell
Down."
The Rev. George Fl. Hepworth, pastor OF the
Church OF the Disciples, Madison avenue ana Forty
NTH street, preached an eloquent impressive ser.
mon yesterday morning, from the eleventh chapter
OF Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews beginning at the
| thirtieth verse with the words, "By laith the
walls OF Jercho fell down."
| The preacher looked upon this remarkable but
consistent Biblical TACT as eminently illustrative of
Gods power, while keeping His covenant with and
developing his marvellous Israerish people, to DO
things that, In our finite minds, seemed mpos-
sibilities. Moses had looked from afar, on the
mountain top, down upon the beautiful valleys and
vlne-cad hills Of the promised land. His eyes had
seen the sight OF the country whose riches
and glory 1t was decreed that he should
not enjoy. He assembled to another and
even better land, there to receive the
reward OF long and faithful services in the
ways OF the Lord. Joshua became the peoples
chosen leader. After while the children OF Israel
were ordered TO arm with spear and sword shield,
battle axe, banner and bow. to march against the
heather. They soon stood round about encompass
ing the walls OF Jericho, the key to the Mediter-
ranean Sea. But this great city was encompassed
about by walls, extremely thick and high, so that
nor mortar, impregnable. 1t seemed as If the
blossom OF the assailants' hopes were about
to be nipped In the bud by the frost of
cruel disappointment. Faith and that only,
was left them. The tncomprehenslble order to
stand still and see the glory OF the LORD was obeyed
mechanically. For seven days did they patiently
Cry out unto the God Of israel and upon the last
their prayers were heard. The walls, no one knew
| how nor could understand wherefore, crumbied
and fell before them, and the barbarians yielded
Internationally the land OF Canaan. This teaches
| IL
| have no human standard by which His aim ghty
Will or power can be measured; nor can we Judge
OF the efficacy OF PRAYER whose words are made
| heavy as gold by genuine devotion.
THE DAYS OF MIRACLES ARE NOT PASSED YET.
The HindOO may look upon the turning OF water
into ice as q miracle, but our better knowledge
and wiser experience teach us that It is an every
der. The preacher believes this miracle OF the
walls OF jericho, as from his heart and soul he be-
!ieves every chapter Of the Old and New Tesla,
nature whose very existence is unknown to man.
1t might be said,
WHY NOT EXPUNGE THE MIRACULOUS FROM THE
This indeed, would be taking the cover for use and
allowing the leaves to blue-mould on the SHELF
without these principal ingredients the books OF the
Scriptures would nave no significance. Errors OF
translation mistakes IN chronology , things that nat
the s' word to the way, the trusn and
element that exemplines the manner in which God
has CHOSEN to deal with man it would be vaueless.
u,
the pillar Of fire, the PASSAGE Of the Jordan and the
falling OF the walls OF Jericho, all were miraculous
glory OF God, and without record OF them the
Bible would cease to be our pillar or light to guide
US in the fear and worship OF the Almighty. Ana
A JERICHO STANDS BETWEEN US AND THE PROMISED
LAND.
| The enchanted kingdom Of Elysian bliss lies be-
fore us; its pleasant fields smiling valleys. golden
| topped mountains, murmuring brooks; bright,
beautiful, pleasant smelling flowers; the hum OF
tha 10 Ia
sweet smelling plants. the sound OF many pleasant
voiced buds. the music of all the muses.. hap
pneSs eternal rest celestial, dream OF all our aspi
ratlOns, sublmey majestic and superbly beautiful,
do not our thoughts awake and dreams while
asleep paint the paradise which the Lord has pronl-
THE HANDIwoKK AND INSTRUMENT OF HIS HANDS
But the commission OF sin Is that Jericho which
stands between us and the holy land. A mans
ambition, business and habits all are obstacles.
The Philosophers Jericho is the delving and dig
ding In the Il 9 OF an aggregation OF facts
known as science instead OF the Llysan fields OF
eternal knowledge. The knowledge OF astronomy,
FOR instance Is obtained and acquired by reading,
observation, application. In all the sciences
mans word must be taken by the learner
Facts Of ms be ssen as
lished knowledge although not understood.
Once the teacher Is acceptable the teachings
must also be accepted Ii a man begins the study
OF mathematics he does 1t by using Euclid, ana
that involves an admission OF facts from superior
knowledge. Let Christianity be taken on the
same terms. The effects OF chronology on some
peoples minds are an enormous development OF
| the organ OF SeH-eSJeem. Sucn persons Will WriJe
the personal pronoun "I' in letters foot long,
while those OF the you" VIII be less than an inch.
They VIII demand personal demonstration OF the
Lord everything He may do They will want
hun to explain the wonders OF the universe
by series OF progresslona propositions put
WITHIN easy reach Of their shallow understandings.
But we must remember that what Is called science
amounts to only little st0rehouse Of small facts.
| The thousands OF millions OF dollars in business
transacted annually in New York represent faith
in mans word. merchant says yes or no and
the contract Is sealed. Business could not exist
without faith in the truth OF what men say. How
much more, therefore, should we put faith In
the divine teachings of religion. Looking the
| other day at railroad the locomotive put the
| preacher in mind OF religion.
THE ENGINE WAS LIKE CHRIST
who has all the fire OF divine prOpulsve motion in
Himself. The cars were as the different religious
sects, each one lifted up more less commo-
| diousy on the way OF liie-but without motion and
helpless until coupled with the locomotive, as
Christ with thea Church. Faith in the Church
must be coupled with Christ the locomotive with
the cars; ana this connection made the human
SOUL by contact with Christ, through faith, viii
be saved
FIFTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.