The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-19
AMERICAN FREE CHURCH.
TIE NECESSITY or REPKNTANcE--sRRMoN by
REV O. p M'cARTYY

THE NECESSITY OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. By
REV. c. r. MCCARTHY.
Rev. G. p. Mccarthy, pastor OF a congregation
called tho American Free Church. preached yesterday
morning In the University building Before delivering
his he announced that social meeting would
DO hold there next Friday evening TO practise congro
gatonal singing and to deviso means to
keep this church anoal A subscription
Of $50 . month had already been started,
and he expected within q short time to raise
tho subscription to at least $780, Rich and poor
aliko called contribute according TO their
spcctivo means
SERMON.
Tho subject Of his yesterday ''Repent-
nncc Divine Necessity In o Corrupt Age" Ho took
his text from Matthew third chapter and second
'.Repont ye, for the kingdom Of heaven Is at hand"
He said:-Theso are very solemn words, coming to
from one VINO was himself living in the wilder
ness They uncertain words, and they
wero uttered in tones or thunder. John tho
Baptist told his hearers that they must change
their hearts, change their minds and change thor
purposes II they over wished TO enter the Kingdom
OF heaven. Christ was In Nazareth, John was IN the
widerncss-one worker necessary to another. Every
day spent by Christ at Nazareth meant strength wis.,
dom, patience; while John, in the wilderness, pro-
pairing the people for the coming Of the Master tho
latcbct OF whose shoe he told them he was unworthy
60 loosen Repentance was necessary preparation
for the service Of tho Lord, and when John called
them 70 repent he spoke in the strongest language
that In false position that they had power
to alter IT, and that such power was Immediately
Of Isaven is At hand All Servants in the highest
interests of humanity havc TO engage IN negative
work This Is expressed in tho cry, Repent" THIS
It's ministry into connection with violent an
tagonisns. II acsorbs strength which might
and prevents Tor long period the full exposition or
what is specifically termed successful The idea OF
success in spiritual work is much crvcred and mis-
q II.
hlinent Of prophecy, inssmuch as he expresses and
nterprcts tho Divine purpose respecting apossate hu
mainly. There Is AS much
APosrArE HUMANITY INSIDE THE CHURCH.
however, as outside. These preachers only say that
which pleasing 10 their hearers not the Gospel Of
Christ They are united otten, with an illustrious
line OF ancestry yet tho ploy Of their positions is
cried In vain. Tins call To repent must be doepcned
and prolonged though under the most depressing cir
cumstances for Il ~ divine testimony IN corrupt
honest John shakes Jerusalem and all the region
round about Jordan. He Is only an individual yet his
march Is ike that Of an army intent victory Lot
US look II his work; 1t was twoold--prcachlng and
baptixIngAnd this twoold work Of Jonn DO kept
up permanently during mans apostacy. Preaching
calls 70 tho truth, and baptizins symbozes
It's acceptance, at least Is preparation
Tor ITS acceptance The moral signiiication
OF this baptism was reformation, change
OF character Mark tho language or the great preacher
OF repentance. s3ut when he saw many Of the Phari
Sadducces come To his baptism, he said unto
them, 0 generation of vipcrs who hath warned you
TO foe from tho wrath to Gomez Bring forth, there
lrults meet LOT Eepentuncc 1Hcsc were sbrOng
words but II shows that the duty OF the ministry Of
repentance TO call things by their proper The
beon waiting for the Son OF Peace; but there
comes before Him man whose voice is thunder and
whose glance Is lightning. No gentle word
capes tho lips OF this fierce man. The stormy
whirlwind has caught him and borne HIM
through the Jordan wilderness, and II great fire
behind HIM hc urgently makes his way Strangely ter
r'bc are his words :-"Repcnt" Prepare" "Axe,"
purge his noor,' "Burn up the chat with unquench-
ablo lren The great thought in my head this morn
ing tho 'necd Of ministry Of repentance" Is that
iTNah bo
ativc energies incxhaustiblc And con-
sequcntiy always redcemable the ministry Of
repentance must. until those that rcdeemable
be redeemed, be perpetual extending Its cry, RE
pent and believe" throughout all the world and beyond
and independent OF all contingencies, until the
abandoned reclaimed the most vicious reformed,
tho most depravcd sanctincd, and humanity in its
sublime completeness restored under the Almighty
and superintendent OF It's all wise and oil loving
Director.