The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-21
WASHINGTON PLACE NJ E. CHURCH.
THE CAUSES OF DIscoNTENr-A sERMJ IN BY

THE REV. WILLIAM HATFIELD.
At the Washington Place Methodist Episcopal
Church. in Fourth street. the Rev. william Hatfield
preached his last sermon prior to his vacation. Ser
vices will be continued there next Sunday and the
church will then be closed during the month of Au-
gust for repairs. The title of the discourse The
Causes of Discomfort" and the text Psalms vii IS
Il shall be satisfied when awake with thy like
ness
.Maa has been justly pronounced. said the
preacher, to be the nobiest of Gods creatures.
He s In the possession Of faculties and powers that
exalt him far above all other created intelligences;
though this is his possession. yet in his present
state he is far from being satisfied. and spirit of
discomfort everywhere prevails and is made mani est
among all classes and ranks of men-the rich we'll
the poor; noble well ignoble All have
some complaint to make and arc disposed to think
that their physical. social moral condition might
be improved. There must be some real .or
this state OF things. Some would be happier ii it
not for the pecvish spirit they indulge. Life
to many. however. is a rough and ragged road. To
pleasure its drop OF gall. Here we are subject to
sickness and death.
The air is full Of farewells to the dying
And mornings for the dead.
Our society earth is not always congenial to U.S.
and though man was made for society, IL he be
thrown among those whose habits tastes and reln-
tionships are in conflict with his own he cannot be
happy When see the pride of power side by side
with intempcrance, and that vice intrenched our
most respectable communities and defying both
lgion and law. cannot wonder that there should
be discomfort among the people. When we
also robbers and murderers escape from
justice, criminals become more and
bold, and cherished institutions more
and more nearly overthrown IL il hardly possible for
us to be satisfied in this fallen and sin-stricken
world. There Ii q feeling Of dissatisfaction with
regard to plans and our present attainments.
Men Of the present time not satisfied with their
work. This Is shown in the numerous strikes OF
day especially those prevailing in this and
Eastern cities. There II feeling of discomfort
among all laboring at the scanty
amount Of wages they receive. That is not
surprising when IL is considered how small is
the pittance they work for. There ought in
we'll regulated and relgiousy ordained society, to
be no conflict between labor and capital; especially
ought this to he the in this land Of plenty-a
land wondrously favored by Heaven. Wealth
is not satisfying process. Men who have much
want more Men who have one hundred dollars want
q thousand, men who have thousand want
million. Men rho profess Christianity as their rule
and guide of life are not satisfied.
CHRISTIANS CONTENT.
Everywhere, even among religious men, we see an
almost fcvcrish anxiety to increase possessions.
Then there Christian people who are dissatisfied
people little cause for self congratuaton. They
feel like humbng themselves in the dust before
God. They afflicted with unrest that gives
them experience of the shortcomings OF their lives,
and women copying the pictures OF the great
masters. Although they may never equal the
original, yet by perseverance Of practice they
by day attain nearer to IT. II Is IN this respect and
may not attain here unto His likeness; but in the
latter days when see Him face 70 face. shalt
be satisfied, for shall II persevere in looking
unto Him. Undoubtedly awake In His Likeness.