Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-10-28

The Esev. Hcbcr Newton breaches a
SsrmOU ora Vacations

The Esey. Hcber Newton breaches a
Sermon ora Vacations
New York Times Septemb n 9Th.
All Souls Church was filled yesterday
morningby large congregation, gathered
to greet the Rev. r. Heber Newton, who
preached for the first time since his sum
mer vacation. The effects of country life
and mir upon MIR. Newton were plainly
visible. His face was of that rich bronze,
only to be had from intimate acquaint-
ance with the sun and wind. The yaca-
ton had not alone benefited Mr.. Newton
physically, but it prompted him TO preach
upon "Our Need of Play the text being
taken from Leyiticus, XVI, 2: "Ye shall
keep My Sabbaths."
Jehovah's Sabbath in Israel began the
preacher, consisted of series of rests,
periods recurring in septennial cycles,
given up to recreation and ballowed by
worship This provision for the rest and
play of the Jews was unique in the history
Of nations, and was one which Christian
civilization regards as OF divine origin.
How near to the Biblical spirit, then, did
the distinguished doctor of.divinity come
who has been denouncihg clerical vaea-
| tious If the vacation was o sin for the
dominic it was sin for the deacon. Ger
| tAinly there had been for some cause or
other vast advance made toward secur-
ing for all classes time for play The
man was so much of an exception us to
feel ashamed in his loneliness, who now
ventured to say that he had not taken "a
day off" in years. Our physical
life demanded more time for play
al work was growing harder. Every pro
fessional man, the speaker said,
knew how the astonishing progress OF
knowledge and the marvellous develop.
ment of society made his work increas-
ingly burhensome. The strain of success
was growing severe. The merchant now
had little need of the old injunction "Bt
not slothful in business" The sloth had
gone out of business, Three centuries
ago the laws of England inflicted upor
the tramp as severe penalty the very
eight hour day of labor which American
workingmen now ask of the law as a re
ward of merit. Our climate intensified
the strain. Charles Kingsley said wheI
II lgea Il our crisp, keen December air
4 lt's like breathing champagne ",
/ JaEu IIie Jdt WITH al the dTadehts open
A mans family had a higher claim upoi
him than that which the mental life cal
adjust.
Your children, Mr.. Newton continued
need not a big estate bequeathed them
but living father to guide them. II on
race was to fulfill its manifest destiny, i
must keep up q stock full blooded an
cease to endow the country with childrcl
rich in the ricketts,. If we measured oui
selves against the weathern beaten fisher
man who took US out sailing, or the back
woodsmRn Who piloted us through til
forests, we might find ourselves smalle
men than we fancied in our pulpits an
offices. We all needed time to think; gu
moral life needed time to play. For sol
health of body we needed from time
time change. The life spent by th
birds of paradise at Newport, who fl
thence to Lenox and then light to plum
their feathers in Fifth avenue before goin
on to the south or running over TO Europ
for a few weeks, after which the
come back to New York aud agai
to Newport, making all their life one du
routine of pleasure-this is not rest, nc
recreation. Simply to get out Of the lif
of Wall street and Murray Hill was /
experience q change of heart. To be
come aS nttle chlluren huu play pure
for while was to become ashamed of til
ambitions and greeds which our folly ha
chased SO holly. In Gods pure mir lif
grew simple, tastes wero clea4sed an
desires were moderated We became san
again. Our religious life needed NOR
wholesome play. There were more pow
erful revivals of religion ia Gods frs
temples than sver would be known o,
earth. Our religion to-day should ceas
.. from being drearily supernatural and be
come genially natural Could one fame
Jesus reared in JsrnsRium2 The stay a:
home might console himself with th
thought that every home was rooted il
by the skies, aud that every windo,
opened yistas into the infinite, eternu
mysteries.