The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-01
CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH.

THE SEVEN CAPITAL SINS AND THE -FOUR CAR
D1NAL vIaTuRs-sRRMoN BY REV. DIR. Al
GER.
An eloquent and impressive sermon preached
yesterday morning al the Church OF the Messiah by
Rev. Dr. Ager, the pastor. HIS text was Romans XIII.
q, s.Bc not overcome OF evil, but overcome evil
with good" He said:-what can be worse than
pride, what moro frightrul than angcrs what
moro detestable than envyp what so mean as
covctousncss, sitting every generous impulses what
can be SO dcning RIGHTEOUSNESS. undermining the
souls purc strength what lost the rutton's
abasement 10 appetitcy what more detestable
than aloh, losing the splendid opportunities OF liio?
These the great TO these be traced oil the
Of transgression Now they burst forth III out
rageous violence and they moro quiet but
with scarcely less evil electa Pride, anger, envy,
covetousness, Righteousness glut.ony and sloth-
pEvIIisu COHORTS,
these OF the capital sins they are the most hdeous
and Injurious that be conceived. How many
how few are wholly irco from them! Where shall
find whose soul is not dsdgured by their repusive
tracings Many man addicted TO them walks tho
streets erect and sits unabashed in church,
but to every pure the nmsy veil 10
easily through Let us all fling on the garb Of the
capital sins putting the gurb OF enfranchised
souls--thc wedding garments OF heaven Now, let US
look at
THR CARDINAL VIRTUES
Justice. prudence, Temperance and fortitude. They
stand scntncls the outermos OF the heart
Temperance keeps the body clean and strong; justice
10 every man us uue, us lcaV6
untried to secure our best well being fort
tude enables forsake and pleasure for toll
and pain There other virtues which at first might
entitled higher rank Tho tour cardinal virtues
engcndcr faith hope and love. As all human evil pro-
ceeds from the capital sins, SO all human good
flows from tho cardinal virtues In the sublime
shapes OF reform they march They inspire patriotic
lay their lives the altar OF their country Tho
cardinal vrtucs-what scraphic band The essence Of
these virtues is the loneliness Of duty They are atri
buies of the SOUL which clothe all things We should
aspire possess. Only few seem capable OF the
PASSION SPIRITUAL PERFECTION.
Such the genuine chvalry of heaven and
the cardinal the radiant livery they wear.
Lot him who Ia tempted by evil consider the claims
OF the opposite good Let there be no tampcrng,
dallyng When aurcd by sin pause and think OF God.
There 10 profound wisdom in the Gospel chargc-over-
como evil with good. II could look int3 the soul
and see the battle wagcd there would nvulsvey
cry out, BE not overcome by evil" Day and night
In solitude and in public, tie conflict goes Many
Outright genius and brilliant prospects have succumbed
10 evil and to-day live behind prison bars are iug-
tives from justice, I'LL gnoble graves To avoid such
nm watch ASPIRE enter INTO alliance with tho forces
righteousness The assaults OF sin will then be
The OF such, when 1t mountsto the celestial world
will be attended BY his guardian angel who will call
out the golden gate, 'Lct him In, for he has over
evil with good "