The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-08
SEVENTH AVENUE CHURCH, BROOK
LYN.
DIR WILD ON IMMORTALITY.

DIR. WILD ON IMMORTALITY.
Or. Wild, pastor OF the seventh avenue Metho-
dist Episcopal church, Brooklyn, preached on
interesting sermon yesterday morning, from
II, Peter l., 1l-"FOr SO on entrance shall be
ministered unto you abundan:ly into the .ever.
lasting kingdom OF our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ" The speaker held that the doctrines OF
the Bible and influences of Christianity seemed in
harmony with mans best and real interests, which
was 80, IL we limited our observations even to
time. 1t surely aid not add to our dignity or
motive power Tor good to account ourselves PERISH
able as the beast. We lost much and gained
snotning by accepting euch q -nhnannhs r"i'h
n yha immorranyy being lent charm to
ine, gave inspiration to thought strength for labor
and giadness to experience. 1t was comforting to
believe that the whole Of this lie was but pre-
paratory to the solemn yet joyous realities OF that
which is TO come-as but the beginning of never
ending career that should be sacred as enduring,
majestic as inviting and glorious as mysterious.
the sacred Scriptures spoke not Of that
which vas 1apciiul, fashionable or false,
but OF that which was real. truthful ana lasting.
They opened not alone the door OF time, nor
pledged only the few neeting Years OF this earth
II to our ambition, aspirations ana activities,
but they introduced rs to o nObier life and an
eternal day in whicn the soul may grandly con-
tinue to unfold its never exhausted powers. They
told Us oil day without night, life without death,
OF Joy without sorrow and Kingdom
without end. With firm faith In the doctrine OF
Immortality friendship was d0ubiy dear, and the
reasons for being good, getting good and doing
good were precious beyond estimate. With such
= latin labor became privilege, sacrifce pleas
ure ana death mere SHADOW. 1t was 30 ordained
by Providence thar each stage or pcr,0I Of lie
should feel the influence and generous pressure Of
that winch was before. We had an illustration OF
this In the child longing for boybOOd AND when he
had attained that age, ior MANHOOD then Tor ripper
years, until when Old age came he waited, as one
weary, Tor the rest eternal The sun
rising in gorgeous spendor and continuing
to march with ceaseiess splendOr was typical OIL q
Christian lie. Tnere was Q night behind 1t. but
day before, and It's setting was but the token or
another morn. The grandest feature Of religion
was 20 be found In lis inclusivcness. 1t covered
all our real interests Tor time and eternity, forbade
no healthul or lawful pleasure III society or busi-
ness anu gave possession Of AL things for pleas
urc and profit. Tue doctrines O Christianity were
terribly restrained and mutlated 10y personal
idiosy ncrases faDcies anu fashion, Through ig-
norance christianity was shOrn o. strength, de-
prived Of beauty and sadly limited In experience.
Christianity wss simple, and the more 20 as one
progressed. Ike The pupil who Is a. first fettered
by rules ana principles, put by degrees got TO de-
pend upon MS intellectual taste, 80 the Christian
progressed until love guided the iulaiment OF ell
law. But man should do more than avOw him
sell a CHRISTIAN. lie must honor Christ and serve
His cause with hcartincss and zeal that his en-
ho fhar Ito ma ho OH dan