The New York herald., 1876-12-04
CHURCH OF THE INCARNATION.
CHRIST AND CHRISTIANITY SERMON BY THE


REV. Arthur BROOKS.
The Rev Arthur Brooks rector OF the Church OF the
Incarnation, Madison avenue and rhrty-lnh street,
preached to large and fashionable congregation yes
te-day morning, taking his text from l. Thessaoni.
ans. " IL" Prove all things; hold last that which
IS good" This season OF Advent well! said the
rector, to ponder upon the great idea which the
suggests. The introduction OF Christianity gave the
world gospel Of new things. II stirred
humanity, II was iu OF things strange
Jesus was always The subject Of great INQUIRY when
the earth and has always been since; but every fresh
investigation only serves TO make binding His
claims upon Us. All men must use some kind Of judg-
mcnt in religious matters and possess their nds with
share OF proof There tnose who, not being able
TO prove all religion scientifically. take o,hcr mems de-
duciions and sayings, giving them place as their own
There Is no who has not the appliances TO test
every doctrine in religion. There is no who
should reject receive them unles proved by him.
II he cannot pass upon them intellectually, then his
practical judgment should be brought into requison.
There can be no neutrality III TINS matter. Men
either reJet or accept the doctrines ol chrisianity.
sProve All ihngs.' The practical Well as The
kecnest aud most acute satisfy themselves. Take
the simple utcranccs OF christ ana the teachings g.
Shc Dioe and apply them personally. You cannot
asiray II new move IN the Church Is madc, test II;
" il prove better light and OF surer
citation 10 CHRIS, ana Hs Gospel accept H.
Those who lead practical iivcs d times
tact with all The questions which concern Christians,
aud The pre- cher took u rs uuterowlh Carts.
tianity that all the tnteliectua do longer
siaEd on side and all the workers the other
None have right 10 hnns back tar this inJunc-
tion To provc all tulngs' concerns religion. We should
ask ourselves the question II Gi ist is aue to uh HIS
promises Let US understand this ana other equally
essential elements before take other peoples ideas
auu accept them our own. The nam question is
about the proper understanding ci Christ ana this
needs devotIon aud consccrston 10 make the inquiry
strong Mr. Brooks. the point oi his discourse,
treaeG OF the intellectual Iic Of students tar IL
appcd to the proving oi religious natters This class
has gwen us thousand good things, wic h I'VE found
repeated conhrmatous. but the TACT remains that
student must got back 10 common lic before he
lind the real religious lie There he wIll lind the
Christ that came TO save Thc common need
not be philosopher to reach the proper understand
ing oil Christianity and the doctrines II involves.
Hold last TO that which you have 30 sure OF some
thing, and don't rclinquish your hold whatever you
do. II Christ Is found hOtd that last as great point
gained Tho advent OF Christianity since tho advent
OF Christ has been to bridge over many thingSani
show Us others not before known. The process of
proof is not TO lead men in trcadml but to things
that are new. The sign OF the season Is a tempest
blast from the mouth OF the archange, showing men
up TO new HE. Tue more the Christian proves. the
moro hc Will appreciate Cod and the more he Will bc
searching Tor truths This world 10 such becomes
vast storchouse. Tho study oI Christianity shows an
interest In everything good and high and noble Tho
conviction Is becoming greater and greater that
Christ alone can supply the wants OF the world When
men come to appreciate what II IS to give their lie TO
God then He will como TO show that he Is master
O all