The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-28
FIRST PLACE NJ. E. CHURCH.

GRowTH-sERMoN ny REV. MISS ANNA OLIVER.
Miss Oliver preached large congregation yester.
day morning IRON the text Ephesiaps w. 15:-''Grow
up INTO HIM in all things which is the head, even
Christi The interior life OF the Christian, began ISIS
Oliver, is represented growth. Many OF the illus
trations used In the Scriptures tend 10 this We arc
exhorted 10 grow grace and in knowledge Of the
Lord. David said 'He shall grow rs a cedar Of Lob
anon" What glorious comparison Travellers,
in day, speak OF those trees wonderful in
diameter and circumference, and their durability is
marvellous II Is like these specimens David says the
Christian shall grow. But how to attain 10 this
OF uxurlance is the perplexng question 1t is not
enough that plant the seed. We must see that IL
lives ana not only lives but that it grows So let US
inquire into the growth Of the Christian character.
grows until The germ planted. We cannot bring
something cut OF nothing, Only God cat do
spiritually God Father. We inherit our spirit
ua life from Hum as We inherit our physical life from
our earthly parents. We must first be born into the
kingdom oi God. and then grow up vigorously.
The second condition oi growth Is nourishmenL Now,
it Impossible to say on how small an amount Of
spiritual a soul exist We cannot determine
on the smallest quantity physical can SUBJ
prisoner condemned 10 sarve to death, lived
thirty days nothing but water The authorities
thought was aided by some supernatural power and
liberated him. We know that invaIds eau live very
long time little or no nourishmen but none OF these
persons arc vigorous II rs u dangerous experiment
is dangerous for US 10 try an experiment IN
spiritual lie and gauge the smalest amount on which
we can subsist Have YOU noticed what peculiar
cry a hungry child has There something so sad and
pllul IT. So there are many persons who go hungry
IN the spiritual life halt their days. The
husks Of this world cannot satisfy Gods children
They require something more substantial. We may
notice. too, that persons who take their physical lood
night sooner or later become dyspeptcs. How is
with US splrituallyY Persons VINO 70 forth their
daily work with spiritual iood ana depend upon q
brei, hurried communion with God at night for their
SOU strength is II any wonder We have SO many dys
pei tcs IN the Church? Tho Word OF God Is never
iainng source for our souls ut all times Two little
new sboys converted once, and alter tine they
and inquired after each others spiritual progress:
"How do you get along Billy" said one "Oh, not
very well, ~ SAID Billy; II have n terrible time Tor
Satan tempts constantly and l can't get rid OF
him. Il know how to Tx him." replied his
panon; 'you just try him with texts next time" If
every Christian ready with texts how could
we Quench the darls of our Adversary Sincere, pure
religion, strained through 20 creed or doctrine
human Interpretation, but interpreted to
every human soul by God, is what We
want Sincerity Is OF the utmost importance to the
soul Insncerity is The worm that destroys the root
We no; deceive ourselves How often in church
prayer meetings people VINO have testimony 10 give
Tor Jesus will be restrained from false idea of mod
esty. Go to that same church on an evening OF So
cable and you will hear those who sllcnt Tor God
the very oudest III their hiarity and mirsh. Now,
want to be consistent and know our hearts. Another
thing in the sowing OF seed is, that after have
painted it we must let 1t alone. Children
stantly picking If has sprouted and the
spiritual lite are addicted to Going the same thing
Let II alone until develops and bears spiritual fruits
God can develop something out OF the poorest mate
rial How is il with Gods work and our work 10 the
materia wordy We see a lake OF muddy water aud IL
is ugly to look upon. What can man do
make OF it beautiful crystal wafer What
can God do with tY He can make diamond brilliant
the sun He can make an opal rosy With the flush
tluts OF Hie beautiful Jewel What is lelt9 little
out OF that Ito makes the pretty crystal OF the
snow. That Gods work. In the southwestern part
oil Missouri there Is region called Granite Quarry and
this quarry there many bouldes. some thirty
lor,y iect high. And among these rocks nre magnh-
cent trees 1t seems marvel how they can grow
that bed granite They send their roots all
drec,ions that rock TO tho unfang supplies OF
moisture the valley. They arc much stronger than
those that In the shelter OF the hill So is with
our growth ami the Lord knows this and makes US
strong wheE wond be perfectly wiling to be moth
ing but a mere sapiDg One thing is necessary, and
that 10 that be rooted ard grounded in love- This
Is OF the prerequisites OF growth 1t Ia necessary
that be whole and perfect in Christ We all expect
be complete; to be siness and entire when stand
progress thcreY Not at all. There will be higher
heights for to climb that never dreamed OF here.
II we arc washed from sin now shall We say
be thoroughly grounded love, and this
growth should be deep then nothing dist rb or
harm us Let us remember, above all things that
there is such thing making up Tor lost time. A
person whose early education has been neglected will
always ce the effects oil It. We see that many college
educated men very detective tins respect Re-
deem the time beat may, lost day lost day.
Just extend tins thought into eternity and We will
how solemn u IS II rs possible ap ior US SO TO live
lived In it. IL Is possible or Us to live that
the standard OF the Church shall be better ana
purer throu.h our influence We should so take hold
OF Christ that we become part OF HIM. We are to be
members Christ An artist once wished TO model -
statue the saviour. ana TO test his work he led ~
httlc child it. There was no crvss, no thUrns, no
symbol by which IT could 10 recognized The child
reycr, ntly folded its hands and exclaimed softly,
Tine saviour" II possible Tor every one OF us to
grow the likeness of Christ, that all bchoding
shall be reminded oil saviour
OLD JOHN STREET CHURCH.