New-York tribune., 1879-12-08
UINDRANCES TO FAITH.


The Rev. DIR. Rylance preached yesterday
morning al -. Marks Protestant Episcopal Church al
second-aye and Stuyvcsanst, taking for his text ST.
Luke xii % aud 81 Then said one unto Hin, Lord
are there Jew that he savedl Aud He said unto ihem
Strive to enter al the strait gate"
The who asked this question. said the preacher
was prom ptcN. probably. by no feeling deeper than an
idle curiosity he have been Of those who
frequently tempted Christ by propounding questions
with "A view entancle him in his talk. Whatever the
motive Of the question may have bcen TIE Saviour does
not deign to him as II lie would say; " What
is that to That Is not question for thee to put
or for me to answer" And yet how many there are
even day. who occupy themselves chiefly with the
curious or the difficult problems which the Bible sug
gests Now 10 me that about the wisest thing
for DO a rule, Is simply to ignore such diilcu
e a. did, and to the current of talk to-
ward subjects Of practical and momentous Interest
remembering that secret things belong unto the Lord"
and that the mysteries OF the future wisely hidden
from us. since too much knowledge would defeat the
purposes Of moral probation.
The force OF the image which Jesus here employs Is
largely lost upon u.s. since know little of walled
cities, with their narrow gateways; but 20 the people
TO whom Christ spoke II must have been a vivid
ana impressive figure. There Is Heavenly city, en-
trance into which is dflcult The Christian life
SOFT easy luxurious thing; not thing OF mere senti
ment or enOnol. u formal profession of what we
call faith; nor Is 1t something wrought In us
and wrought out for us by an cfectna grace" with
out our active and persistent cooperation. 1t is
lite of earnest conviction and OF strenuous endeavor
Not only R the gate which admits 10 the Eternal Guy
strait but way which leads To II IS narrow which
there are many hndrnnceS and obstacles to he encOun
tered There difficulties hindrances in the rell
giOus life which pertain especially TO circumstances
there are those which pertain intellect and there
those that pertain 10 the heart. The Christian life ia
full OF painful experiences from other OF these
adverse powers.
Take the first How many find it hard to do the will
OF God through unfriendy circumstancesi In how
many cases do supply perpetual occasion
of moral strfei Hard oppressive poverty for instance
what bewdering and hardening effect II upon the
heart. II has seemed to me as have, looked
upon the lot OF the INDECENT that 1t must require for
some them constant struggle TO keep the soul from
sinking into utter despair When all things are dark
without and when anxiety about the things OF this life
Keeps the mind a feverisn heat, II is hard cher
ish healthy about the things OF the
life TO come. The DANGER the fearful probability that
truly Christian thus oppressed and worried by
poyerty may lose all Its higher aspirations. and all its
finer susceptibites; the things OF God becoming dim
and doubtful faith giving place 20 duoruous temper
or settled dstrus OF all the precepts and promises OF
religion There Is for whom ought to feel
a tenderer sympathy. than for the Christian man or
woman called daily TO battle with such hndrances in
the maintenance OF personal faith and hope In God
IL easy to believe IN Providence whom 1t fills our cup
with blessing and pleasant 10 thank Heaven for daily
benedlctons but when things 20 wrong, and life Is one
fierce struggle dark adverses, TO bear mp them
bating ot of hope word OF promise saying
with OF old. though lie say me- will trust IN
that T. of the bravest and dviDest triumphs
ever achieved by Nothing but the grace oil God
can make the soul strong under trials like these.
Abundant wealth has proved as sore "a hlndrance 10
multitudes pinchIng poverty 10 others. Remember
what Is written, How hardly shall they that have
riches the Kin gdom Of God y Not that wealth
evil ia ise but iucre Il special danger the
possession OF abundant means, in ihat human
ing depraved IL Is Easy ~ pamper Its appces aud
fectlons faculties. I'LL may 10 live an
earthly life only, with no thought o God. and with
Of accountability Tor the privileges which Provi
dence allowed him. That Ia the perous posi-
biity TO the rich that Is the hndrance he
II he would enter through the strait gate into
the Holy City at last
With these extreme conditions might name others
from evil social connections. friends
much influence these exert upon character hinderng
helping the way 10 heaven Or the fellowship
sustain with men la professional or business avOca-
tiOns-how much such inter course do to lift up,
to with wOrthier regard for human nature,
confirm virtuous and gOdy affections ana
IN or to press down, making ms familiar with low.
rnpting our fcrlngs Judgment ana our cOnscence
Our surroundings, from brth 20 death, have great
deal TO do IN the education oi character aud In deter
mining he issues Of life.
For some there difficulties IN the Christian
life pertaining the intellect There intellectual
difficulties ia religion and they shallow minds
decevers who ray there arc not II would be marvel