New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-02-06
DIFFICULTIES OF DOING RIGHT.

I
The R,r Dr. Knapp at the Laigh street Baptist church.
The services at the Laight Street Baptist
Church Yesterday OF very interesting character.
Like all churches situated far downtown It's original cou
r7eGation long ago deserted it, and 1t is aukcd AID
hedced in 10y great business houses and factories Never
thel.ss there large population SIN III it, nelSbor
hood although this is not usually of the church going
kind and the work Of evangcEzatiOn presents many
elements difficulty, requiring on the part of its pastor
reat tact and Astounding zeal. Judging from the atten
dance and worship YESTERDAY the church seems To he
meeting with share of success The pastor the Rev
Dr. H. W. Knapp and he has associated with him tie
Rev. T. \. stone missionary. d. Knapp IS a man Of
commanding presence fine physique, and Great earnest
ness ofmauncr His delivery is impressive, often mpls-
stoned. The church has membership Of 100 and win
seat about 900 The seats all free aud everyone is
made welcome. The text taken from Exodus, xiv
10: And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children Of
Israel lifted up their and they were sore afraid and
The children Of Israel cried unto the Lord"
when architect said the preacher III his final draw
ing shows us the building it viii look completed
often forget that he more in it than we do 10y
cursory examination. In this beautiful picture pleas
in to the eve and 20 the taste is involved the labor
ious detail necessary to the final cOasunmat0u
The architect from his training ana technical skill
what do nOtthe slow, tOllsoJe tedious work, which
must be performed before ne can give US III feahy thet
which MS design cOntemplaes. Many man has said,
IF mad known ct the dlihcutes IN the way, would
never have began 10 buld is II not with the Chris
ian There is mirrorcd before minds ideal
70
attainable in a moment, upon our believing in Christ
and receiving the forgiveness Of our sins. We
state of freedom from all trials aud deiveraDce from az
pcrils. But experience teaches that this is not So
Ia; the reverse; Tor entrance upon thc way Of
life is sign Of our entrance upon conflict and
The captive Israeltes found it So Freedom TO leave
TyIt was not separation from suffering d-iverancc
frl IN persecution The ideal Canaan not reached
onipotenee Vas to be inyoEed to deliver That
wilderness was marvellous type q cur way 10 day, ana
70 may behold q Cu,ilt OF plf course
Let u speak OF features OF the way OF the gOdly
Israeltes found II As long they were slaves TO
heather nation they were comparatively free from harm;
they had enough TO eat ana drink ana wear no dangers
Ileraccd them; they could pass their days witAodt
thought for the future. But as soon as God revealed
dangers ana difficulties thick and fast upon them
The impossible in front OF them; The cruel
eHy was behind them the rude cIags were on each sde
them. aud that Gods way; 20 thai spot
had He led them show them that lie IS able 10 deliver
after have left the Egypt OF our Old sins hcy viii fol
AT orc time they cntlcc u.s. at another they threatens
at another thcy ntimdac An opium eater once told me
@ as ADV, yc{iv and msfortHne' When ali the World
seemed dark; then II whispered with its GemOn-nKe
voice, Eat, and be happy"
stductiOns 10 peculiar TO the way OF the cody,
forms appear under disgulfcs II Is not merely
tie open attack mat We have To fear bat the indous
may be as al angel Of light.
secondly, not only enemies VIII meet US, but many
grave difficulties VIII bcset US. You read in
the Book Of LXOGus tDat God directed the Iraehtes in
Their way just as he directs III way and yet
Il often seems way Of Oculty AS the IsTdeDtes
hemmed ia by physical CInlcultes, il Is OiteI;imes
with is. As soon as We assume the Christian calling,
suffering and selfdeuml begin have had converted
men come 10 Iue and say, Pastor am 1cnmed ia by
misfortune, ana there i no way OF escape Tor can
earn plenty OF money by selling sprliuOus liquors or
engaging N any Other TrcgiOus calling but u remain
Nhsildn, starvation st.Tes the lace" Yes, that
Is so. Many soul is led through the dark valley Of
trouble by the hand OF God. 1t is done for wise pur
posctO Chate the sOu and to bring out the fine,
SUd. But let me say this: God will never dsappOlnt
TIE souI utat humbly trusts Him. The trouble win
most q u j. that weaken before to the last
point No man has ever starved who held TO the right
through al. aud sald Here stand for good {: evil,
HOi ieplig me" You may be helpless, deserted by
your ilnds dcsOlate and discouraged, but II You per
severe GOO VIII come you with His help before you
iai utterly. And lie Will open "A way before YOU lie
opened way lJrtbe IsTacAtcs through he Red sea.
Again, Il was way OF terror Israel was afraid,
ana let me tel you, ~ took great deal to
make that slave nation afraid. Their scry1tude
Iad accustomed them 10 cruelty. anu had
IOsteIed within them an instructive longing Tor freedom,
winch only oYernasterIng odds could into fear.
nave you not known something Of this terror your
HYesi Are there not some before today who carry
burden OF sorrow disaster with them that strikes
tnein dumb with feart Perhaps they conceal 1. from
Selr neighbors; perhaps they would your gym