The New York herald., 1877-03-19
CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.
WHAT CHRISTIANITY HAS AccoMPLIsHED-sER-

CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.
WHAT CHRISTIANITY HAS AccoMPLIsHED-sER-
MON BIZ THE REV. NIB. HEpwoRTH.
Rev. George II. Hcpworth preached very earnest
sermon yesterday morning from the text Isaiah viL
4-"rhercforo the Lord himself shall give you sign;
Behold, virgin shall conceive, and bear son. and
shall call his name Emmanuel"
You cannot tho preacher, have failed TO notice
that tho chief part OF my text has prehxed 10 II the
exclamation ''Bohold." The word has twoiold s'g-
nncaton-First It attracts atlenton second, It is an
intmation that tho speaker has CON-
munication to make Of unusual Importance.
Surely. then, the prophet was right when
he looked around and the restless eyes of the
people OF Israel aud in order TO attract their atten
ton no cried out, "Behcld," and then followed
communication which involves miracle above all
miraces-the announcement OF tho personal presence
Of God tho affairs OF and In tho private lives
OF those who will trust In Him. II might be well 10
ask just here. What has been the experience OF the
world with respect TO this religion which came as the
crown OF prophecy. which was the result OF Gods
promise sounded through all the centuries OF time!
1t hos had l,soo years <raI and surely have
rived at sufficient number Of facts to enable US to
mako impartial judGment to enable US to become
convinced either OF its value OF Its worthlcssness
WHAT cnRIsTIAyIrY DONE
What has the Christian religion done for the worlds
What influence has II had upon society? upon progress
upon laws? upon politics and social lifes how
much OF power has the babc OF Bethlehem beon, rep
resentna, as ne said he did. present God?
The careful student ot history in the past two
attempts ut civilization; one the result OF intellectual
processes and experience tho other The result OF tho
Christian religion, It's dictates aud commandments
barbarian people began tho slow work OF educating
themselves. They gathered physical and metaphys-
ca acs and maize morality for themselves, and tho
result the city Of Athens, with It's heroic men and
lis philosophers and its great thinkers. But when men
try develop themselves without the aid OF God
they only develop their baser nature. Neither Soc
rates Aristotle Plato had NOBLE disnter.
that reached the homes and hearts OF
oil the people rs the commandment OF ST John did,
which read in tho lesson this morning. The result
OF uses Of endeavor was genius, indeed-scnius SO
monumental that II towers almost TO Tho heavens; but
genius that was olindolded when II looked up to ask
s'Whther shall go and whittier have my loved ones
gomez" II was gcnus that was compelled TO satisfy
itself with the present Now. brethren, look at tho
to dca with. He rs man who has
roamed through the forests OF Western Europe
for ages Christianity in the person OF an apostle
q man mild mannercd and persuasive OF speech, n
man who scorned the things oil time and looked Tor
ward with hope to tho things OF eternity-a man who
ted loyo 10 who spoke OF Gods
every occasion, He taught religion that was
power of heaven not OF impulses OF earth. And
when grew and developed human nature became not
only refined in its thoughts but in ITS emo,ions-man
was sancuhed all through his life. Put these TWO pic
lures side by side. What n difference! What chasm
separates the two The one side sei-the other love,
delicate refined onnpotent teaching us 10 extend the
right hand sympathy 10 ai aud 10 point upward 10
the mansion that Is eternal. wonder have not a
larger appreciation Of these facts. What has Christ
ianity done worldY what can II do for you and
meY have como sccptics, but yet
have seen u scepc who would not gladly exchange his
doubts Tor my aith never yet have seen sccpIic
who happy. man must have fatn as the
foundation OF his life and character and do you know
that the Christian IS the only person who can have
faith? He'll is hell because there Is no faith there and
we can make hell earth by distrusltng. II We
would be happy wo must have !ath IN something or
some one. Christianity increases our faith and de-
veups our better nature Christianity is faith In the
only begottcn Son. Can not be loyal to him? Can
we 90 other than loyal such Master, such King
Think OF this mattcr and take your place this side
OF tho and boldly sound the praises OF Him who
has loved and redeemed us.