The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-08
FIFTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.

FIFTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.
TIE USE AND LIMIT OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
BY REV. DIR. ARMIrAGE
Row Dr. Armiage preached the and limit OF
temptation taking his text from l. Corinthians K,
Is There few passages said the reverend Doctor,
which express such groat thoughts in few
words as that just read. Examine them The hrst 10,
that all temptation is educative. 'There mas no
temptation taken you but such as belongs TO man. !"
Nothing makes man oil narrow mind moro useless
than his constant exposure 10 temptations. ne -
perpetually demanding know why he, with his Pc
cuiar weakness and constitutional tendencies cpoud
be constantly exposed to their power.
a mau may as well ask why storms sweep the ocean
and tho forest; why inlaDtile diseases attack tho
bodies OF all babes; why scholars cannot master
science and languages without elementary education
or a thousand other questions OF easy solution. A
storm sweeping over and forest gives purify
to atmosphere and oy agitation, gives fibre and
hardness to oak and pHe iniantle diseaseS give on
dun and constitution 10 the babe; primary prin
cples and aphabets drii the mind to master sciences
or TO grapple with languages, and In the same way
ana Tor the same temptations discipline and
educate moral powers Of man, and these powers
never can attain that strength funess and maturity
without them that II with them and through them.
belongs mau, Is as natural ana necessary
10 The growth ana development OF his moral being
mental drill 10 power Of intellect. Let young
man tho never sick when child take violent
twenty and nine cases out OF ten he breaks
before u as tree grown III conservatory snaps be-
lore n whIrlwind. But puny little creature, who
struggled tor life through all the ailments Of babe,
bon ds before such attack with the genLleness oil
young oak wbicn has sprung up from the assure OF
rock and has laughed at the storm all It's days.
THIS thought "belougs TO man - he has wrung II out
oil adversely just man who has leurLed to endure
and temptation becomes strong in GOD and IN
the power OF His might.
The educational power OF temptation Is found partly
in The habit Of mind, which, formed by practice,
the temptation Is short and sharp, loaDs upon US
with q bound. 1hs cqups you TO meet the Zoe,
10 meet the onset, aud time that the tempter
meets defeat each time you endowed with new
power 10 resist him again. Tho fidelity Of GOD limits
all temptation by mans ability endure It's stress
without injury. God is faithful, who Will suffer
you 70 be tempted beyond what you arc abio. II Is
most inspiring thought TO Christian that The Will
OF God has something 70 do with his temptations, as
we'll the viii Of the devil. Under the stress Of
temptation God rs faithful TO you. He is suffering
you TO fall into temptation that He may keep HIS
covenant relations oil iove Win you. HIS ndety has
bound Him TO perfect you all and through
that all robust character But the stress shall not
be hey your strength. However severe II may be
he Will increase your strength according TO the press
ure Like the rehner OF silver who sits over the
cruclbe, muderattng the heat TIL the melted metal
reflects his image and then Ia satisfied so faith
in God VIZ mol allow YOU 20 oasIrs 10 ne n,s, o.
taiion first limited by ITS adaptation 10 manhood
Lhcn ny It's ultimate benefit 10 manhood AMI not
It's INJURY. Justtnere the heroic Is lodged in he re-
slstance sin. Some lovely lie, IN the strife, ex-
h.Dils q valor which the greatest warriors
are strangers TO- When the onset Is lnten-
siaod by the possible loss Of all mat is Christ
like, the high aim 10 retain II marks
the contest with true hcroism. Because, above the
huge, alarming temptation, rises the uhutterabic
thought victory by Gods haeuiy, II HIS faithful
ness Is con1ded IN. There is no time when We so
thoroughly hate our own worldly security ms when
wo come out oi temptation triumphantiy. Our once
lofty looks and uncharitabe thoughts, our high
words vanity and reseuiu tcmpers, all febuked.
We pray lcrvcntly nor examine ourselves SO
deeply nor before God sincerely AS just when
He has deiivPred us out oil tho power oil the devil
Every posture oil our mind Is more secure and sin-
cere The whole In ward fe has been under tension;
all its gifts have been braced up, and q
closer fellowship with Goi has been crealed, so that
The added intensity. the Increased spiritual habit o.
walking with (wd. calm self possession hicn
ensucs have all taken through the educatve pro-
CESS which satisfies 'that He Will not suffer Us 10
be TEN pied beyond what are abe to BEAR"