The New York herald., 1877-02-12
CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.

THE SHADOW AND THE SUBSTANCES OF RE-
LIGIoN-sERMoN by REV. Mr.. HEpwoRTH.
Mr.. Hcpworth preached TO congregation that was
larger than usual, yesterday morning, from
Ephesiaps III S-"Un,o mo- who am less than the least
Of ali saints, this grace given, that should preach
,mong the Gcntes the unscarchabe riches Of Cbrist.
Due reason why Paul regarded highly in heaven,
nc SAID is that he thought little of himself He
refers 10 his own unworthncss three separate
song; once he speaks oi himself tho least OF the
apostles; second time he calls himself the greatest OF
sinners and declares that IL God can save him there
must he hope for every else, this chapter he
pcas of himself less than the least OF all tho saints
God a man best when that man thinks he Is
uuwor,h be used II cmpticd ofscli then iod
nl.s him. In order 10 play upon the flute you
must see that the flute Is perfectly cnipty-aDy intru
sivc Will be serious ImpcdImcnt TO the tune
you desire 10 produce so, when God would speak
through u.s. would use US Tor the conversion Of men,
either Dy means of our lips or livrs must be
empty ourselves o all pride and all love OF self and
nil CONSCIOUSNESS OF power except that power which IS
the Tree gift OF HIM. And have noticed, brethren,
that those who are nearest to God most completely
abasc themselves.
earth. hut with the angels there humiIity with the
archapgcs there Is sell abascmcn Tho higher up we
get the 10 ideal spiritual excellence the
less we think %. ourselves and The more VIC depend
upon Hin who hath gwen Us the golden promise that
he will never desert, Will never lorsake u.s.
THE FALSE AND THE TRUE.
If you will lind me a Pharscc, a man who thinks
himself righteous enough 10 cross the line between
lie and heaven, man who believes he never breaks
one OF Gods laws. will show you whose real
spiritual power and insight Is at the very lowest ebb
who has graspcd the shadow OF holiness and lives
under dclusion that te possesses Its substance
II, on the other hand, You viii ind me soul that
bends IN BODY and heart, IN thonght and purpose
before the throne OF Coda soul that TIN nks 80 iittc
of itself that II excaims constantly, that It Is worthy
only OF condemnation. and yet soul That aspircs and
hungcrs aud thirsts 10 be more worthy Of HIM who
died the cross-I will show you one which has
consciously been lifted up TO a suhliner height OF
knowledge and aith aud trahsigurcd until It's gar
mcnts are whiie us tho driven snow.
We have little reason to he other than humble. It
Is poor policy 10 indulge IN anything ike pride
spy achievements that may have iaIicn to our lot
The only value OF lies In the fact that they
Encourage US TO further work.
Yes, u Is trus that havc little cause 10 stand
from pride IN the presence of tho Almighty. IL
poor policy whca you climbing the rugged SIDES
pf the Alps, whose top snow capped pierces the
clouds, 10 stand stu on your journey and look back
INTO the valley and say TO yourself 'Sec how far
bsvc come" BY doing that you become SIMPLY the
victim of n dcluson anu fall INTO a Never look
back when judge OF yonrscf never look upon the
things you have accomplished II YOU would form a
propcr estimate OF your strength, but turn your
back on the valley that lies mt your and iook
sno ,nnun,ain summit ana measure tho lcnutb of thc
Journey TINT stu ilcs before son, and then remember
that ic short and your strength but nth" We
apt TO do what Paul never dd-compnrc ourselves with
cutb other and then thnk too highly OF ourselves
The SCRIPTURES tel us II Is only they VINO shall
be exalted at last who abasc themselves most, and,
rnr,ousIv enough bumny is the road TO glory.
wgIsnTEp down PRIDE.
you cannot have wings Sufficiently strong 10 carry
you up the stars while you are weighted down by
pr,sc Ilut shcn you berome lshl, by empryng
Yourself OF yourself then the broad pnions OF your
iaiin will bc strong enough 10 bear you up tll you
catch a glimpse Of heaven Itself
DO not compare yourselves with your ncghbors;
your robe may very white IN inc wright but II
Won 60 out In tho sunshine aud let II pour us u rays
upnn YOU you viii many a spot you never saw
before; yolr may look spoilcss 70 you III CON-
Iar,scn your neighbours bur y v soed nnscu, N
comparison with that OF our Master man po.
su,on. as one who has broken tho laws OF God and
broken them wlliully is IN the dust we nave no
seAhl TO stand except al the bidding Of Christ