The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-21
ALL SOULS CHURCH.

THE VALUE OF A SINCERELY CHRISTIAN LIFE
SERMON BIZ THE REV. RUSSELL N. BEL
LOWS.
The Rev. Russell N. Bellows. OF the Rev. Dr.
Henry W. Bellows. preached at All Souls Churcn.
The topic Of his d scou christian Sincerity,
and the text II. Corinthians, T., H. What would we
not give. said the preacher. II at the close OF an
average long life could have the confidence and
assurance claimed in the text by the Apostle Paul
that our fe in tho MAN, had been true to the better
side of our nature and that like him. we had kept
tho animal side in subsection? In our youth We
have this ideal to some extent; but in our early
manhood our lower nature strives for the victory,
and further on in lives we subOrdi
nate our nobler faculties to craving
for popularity or worldly gain. The word
rendered in our text sincerity means liter
ally in the Greek language tested by the sum- and
tested genuineness. 1t s not uncharitable to
suppose that many of us would be found wanting II
this test applied. Men generally fatter them-
selves that their manners aud their department
ceal their real character and that which they know
to be Objectionable will not betrsy itself. What We
say with voice and with our lips is but very
little part Of that which we expose The external
man is almost always perfect representation of the
internal. Even when take pains pass tor what
they really they betray their dissatisfaction with
themselves by their own restessness, and are very
much like the Pharisees no desired cleanse only
the outside of the platter. The effect OF this in
vsriably 10 that the evil is more clearly. As
Amer. cans we have advantages that some OF the
most part to manifest sincerity and Tor this to
be observable of orr national characteristics.
With us Lille made earnest and individual. We are
less dependent upon the favors OF the great persons
of the land than the inhabitants OF the older coun-
tries We have to depend upon our own exertions
for our social advancement Insincerity becomes
disease and acts the moral system as social
poison and greatly interferes with the progress of
= mans moral well being
The apostle also reoces in the text that his wis
dom is not feshly wisdom. Many men have moth
ing but this aeshly wisdom. They have como to
~ Nak la hv I'm pnaI
senscs-as good fortune in the eyes of the world
the test . worldly wisdom. Yet life devoted to
and any happiness that is brought thereby cannot
be matter OF rejoicing How many men who have
amassed great fortunes in business find the care OF
their wealth almost uncomfortable, because they have
reflected little upon the true uses of money and
have had all their energies absorbed in accumuia-
ton!
We have very little OF that cheap talk in these
days. thank God, against wealth anu its accumula-
ton. True wealth. justly acquired and generously
spent, ought to be looked upon with satisfaction.
But it wealth alone that this satisfaction
portion of it the elevation Of
his FELLOW that wealth is truly used aud brings
with it its own reward. Wisdom that lis worldly.
therefore, looks only at the accumulation OF wealth.
and so ai 1t deserves pity for IL biessos merely for
time and does not la, hold Of eternity 1t ioryets
the saying OF our Lord Thou fool. this night thy
soul will be required Of thee
Paul says that his glory in shis word is in the
grace OF God. is very comforting assurance that
ask me what this means and how it comes. and how
it is that . man may come face to face with God.
Yet no man can take the Bible take book of
poetry or serious essay aud read therein 10 into
open Held at this season OF the year. without
almost consciously having his moral nature quick
ened, and thus have communication with the
unseo1 This will be an influence as real IS though
it written in letters OF gold before his eyes.
God thus reveals Himself TO us, and we may thus
have all the heaven endure in this life with
ont waiting for death to obtain it.
Mr. Bellows closed by calling the attention of his
congregation to the enormous responsibilities that
thus enviroued them and the mead there for
the use of all the powers of moral in the
God and in the development of spirit
nal ifa