The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-11-05
THE PULPIT.
Religion and Politics Discussed
from Various Standpoints.
ssTHE BUSINESS OF RELIGION. !"
Mr.. Hepworth on the Three Ideals OF
Mankind in History.
CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.

CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.
rHx rHRKx IDEALS OF MANKIND IN HISTORY
sERMoN BIZ REV. GEORGE II. HEPwoRTH.
An unusually large congregation was present At inc
Church OF the Disciples yesterday morning. ~ was
communion Sunday, and at the invitation OF the pas
tor, Rev. George H. Hepworth, many remained ai'e'
tho service to partake OF the elements MI. hop
wovth's sermon suggested by passage IN the
third chapter OF Philippians-"Reaching iorth unto
the things which BEFORE" History, the preacher
remarked N sim ply record OF the continuous efforts
OF mankind 70 accomplish better Thugs Inc race no
said, was unconscously walking IN an upward path,
the end Of which was hidden from view Things IN
avery aae which were regarded as great improve
men.s were In each succeeding age surpassed. Tho
progress OF tho world SLOW. Like the hour hand
of watch its motion could not be perceived by one
who gazed steadily, but looked at from time 70 time II
was seen 70 have travelled onward. There had been
entertained In history OF mankind three distinct
ideals OF y perfcc: character In the long.
dark periods that preceded the rising OF
The Sun OF Righteousness perfect manhood
consisted In absolute consccration to ones country
Patriotism in all tho old civilizations said to In
cIude all the virtues necessary to perfect life. Mr..
epworth cited many striking illustrations OF the ss-
t,ma.ion in which patriotism held by tho Spar.
fans and other peoples After time this ideal was
fully reached, and country after anosher be-
coming filed with corruption, crumbied into ruin
Then il was that the IN the East and the
Nagi came with costly gifts 10 Bethlehem. Tho pecu
liarity oil the Christian doctrine which then
preachod was the resurrection anc the preaching Of
uttorly annihilated the virtue Of patriotism. Christ
and the apostles preached concerning another coun-
try iairer than this. and as with wondrous clio.
began TO think less and less Of this lower world
90 filled with treachery and tears
THE SECOND IDEAL
From the contempt The world thus epgendorcd
came tho second great IDEAL OF manhood ana OF per-
lection OF character Ho was considered lottest and
best who showed most contempt for the wealth and
honors Tor which men IN general most strived Thus
the Ideal men Of many centuries were such persons
as Anthony the Hermit, Simeon Stylites and the
ascetics who retired into the mountain Businesses OF
Asia Minor. These, Mr.. Hepworth held wero all Ut
scrabe IDEAL Tncy forgot that all who suffered wore
Ihcr brethren and caring only Tor their own saliva
sion made that sure and then prayed for death.
THE CHRISTIAN IDEAL
Tho education OF the ages had given US q higher
ideal than that one not TO be found In human lie but
In the Book Of Books which teaches US that this
world IL bat the ante-room 10 the reception hall Of
heaven, but also admonshes us that while we are
mere there duties 10 DO performed The perfection
OF this ideal found In Jesus Christ. SO tar AZ
us concerned 1t Is an unrealixcd ideal
as the Stars from the earth. And YET the earth
Tue Of TINS far-on Ideal This ideal pc
pulsar some respects enjonsd not lineal man
hood but thar welt rounded in all its parts,
Ind made the perfect man he who had educated him
BELT tho in all those attributes that noble
ind just and who restrained himself perfectly in these
elements that base ana mean THIS ideal includes
lhe other two, Mr. Hepworth said; Tor II man were
chstlan he was, therefore, patriot; for Christianity
teaches him 10 perform well all those duties which
bad him 10 the government which protects him,
Ind TO spend all no has even llie itself, Tor the
1crpesuity of those institutions which 10 Sc
sure the welfare Of his children. And SO on tue
bsstleHelds to-day We find dead soldiers with Bibles
easped 70 their breasts. We are taught, also, the
preacher said, despse the world just the
SIC system required out 70 despIso just who
walks up long fight OF stars learns despse Tho
steps which ne trod moment befOre-ils useful
ness 10 past. Ono was thankful Tor each foothold
when It the next step 10 be taken, but when It
taken he .reacnod forward into the tnIngs which
before and forgot the things that behind" So
We ought treat The things OF this world, as they
means OF education and steps Of Advancement toward
tho higher Kiagdsm which IS to be reached 1T last
All these thiBgs included In tho ideal which Jesus