The New York herald., 1877-12-10
CHRISTIANITY AND RATIONALISM.
The World and Church and the
Goddess of Fashion.
THE LOVE OF THE SON.
A Sermon by the Cardinal and Dedi'
cation in Brooklyn.
CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.
CHRISTIANITY AND Observation-Disclosures D.


REV. DIR. HEPwoRrH
Mr. Hepworth discoursed yesterday morning on
.Christanity or whats" selecting his text from tho
hrst episte OF Paul tho Corinthians, ILL., IL 1t con.
tained the following remarkable STANDARDIZATION
other foundation can no man lay than that is laid,
which is Jesus Christ" II very evident TO
the most observer Mr. Hepworth said. that the
times which we live are sadly out Joint The old
faith Is vanishing. with IL the old enthusiasm Is de-
parting Wo loss sensitive TO the hcinous
character of crime. We arc moro lenient toward
those who havc fallen into great guilt II may
bc that arc simply passing through
rhromatic passages in the grand symphony OF
human history, and all these dlscordant notes
that crate upon our ears, our hearts and con-
sciences will ultimate in divine harmony. Yot tho
TACT romans that there certain tendencies tho
constitution OF society and the social lilo OF tho
people which rightuy oxcitcs alarm In the minds OF
thoughtful men. II very natural indeed that tho
pulpit should search for the remedy that may be at
once applied and restored a better condition OF
health and onhdence IN God. There have been Two
attempts at o solution OF the probem and, very nat
uraly, TWO very different prescriptions for the DIS
tasc The Christian says tnat the world mas
fallen away from Its aleg'anc1 TO tho oia
be Drought coscly TO the realization OF tho fact
that have authoritative utterance from God for
our moral nature 10 stand upon. Tho representative
rationuiss the other hand insist that We have al
ready outgrown tho Bible; that II resembles much
worn ami iatercd garment; that according TO the cx
preston Of one OF members oi this Sect mod
must ive ny modern light, intimating by
lh,s expression that our Chrstinnty like a candle
has burned TO its end and IL now dickering IN its
socket II is quite true tnat wc need more gnt. Wo
are quite indifferent as 10 the source from which this
light II ratiOnalism has any light to give the
world Is ready Tor y.
NEW AND OLD TRUTHS.
We must not accept any statements because they
arc new but because they are better than tho old.
We havo learned long since that there are some things
Rationalsm Is utterly silent CONCERNING God as my
Father or that Cod has any interest Whatever IN wnas
do or dontdo; concerning what will happen to mo in
that stage oi my souls progress when shall lay aside
this mortal coil and enter into those impenetrablc
shades that are hidden away IRON the glance OF
my reason. II as a modern l must walk
by that modern light must give up my Bible
tho word 0i God, As my teacher, my guido and my
friend, and look upon It u companion to Esop's
fables l must turn my fearful eyes to the light OF
this reason ant SEQ only great perhaps, or look into
the grave OF my friend and soc only u conjecture.
Brethren, to be rational must be all that tnen
may be irrational forever II my faith is irra.ional
and dream, God grant tnat may live IL; God grant
that may not awake until tho last day. am told by
the same authority rationalism that Christianity
has tried make society what II ought to be.
Alright then am not wrong IN saying that there has
not been the slightest progress or any great social
tevcopment, except where Christianity has buit It's
altar the corner stone oil Christian church
was lad. l mako another assertion, that there has
been, SO lar history teacncs u.s. any national
power OF OF society except rough Chris
iiapLy. You may turn 10 me anu say that We nave
reached our present point oil attitude through
natural process of dcveopmenL Not so.
except where Christianity has been the light.
Why did Greece and Romo die outY Because their
only policy thai might makes right. They built
their thrones upon army. the door was lett open
Tor political and social corrup,ions. There was no
remedial force society. If Christianity had been
there would have introduced recupcra;ive energy.
Christian nations never die, or have not so lar In
stead OF taking the maxim OF might makes right they
take tho other motto that right makes might II
there Is any turmoil In such community the Gospel
to set II right. Public opinion IL educated
by the Bible. Under tho old regime sidc OF mans
nature not developed, aad that was the
could learn IN reference to his soul Its ultimate
development cndeu in uoubt We mad 10 say with tho
speculative writers, ''Ips all a mystery Even Pliny
said, like stephen Black pool III ono ol Dickens works,
"It's ali u muddie."
CHRISTIANITY THE INDIVIDUAL
what has Christianity done Tor the Individually Let
me now nsk, Has Christianity Decn a failure in any
mans icy What Is strength Tor the unit Is strength
Tor all. Christianity fixes man attention on God IS
his father Brethren, there Is not an experience In
lie that is not covered by the Bible. III you are
tempted does not Christ bring you reie by stirring
up all The manhood IN you to rcsstr The BioIe was
intended by Almighty God TO change mems lives. II
II fails In that purpose IL tails In all. II thero
Is anything In the world that make
men just It Is tho example OF the Saviour.
II Christianity has nothing to do with tho
right eye II Il STANDS In Tho way OF salvation
Nothing to do with daily hie How Is IL, then, that wc
are told to go upon our knees every day and say
ssOur Father III heavenfn We pray that His kingdom
II is In heaven. Human lie must be poriumed with
the spirit of love OF God What do need then 2
We need back TO the old Bible not less
Bible, but more; not less faith but faitn The
experience OF the ages prove that with moro faith IN
God and In man tho moro lifo blossoms into beauty