The Somerset reporter., 1886-01-13
A Sermon Preached at East Madi-
son, Dec. 18th, by Rev.
e. Nugent.

Corinthians list II: simplicity and Cody
Sincerity"
One of the most observable facts in hui
man life is the tendency to look at truth
by fragnl, hts, rather than as whole.
We take it up in parts-geJ interested
in special aspects of it as they are pre-
scented to us by different individuals. In
this way it becomes to us sort of broken
mirror in which each sees but a small por-
ton. In this way we are not apt to dis
cover the broad, clear, transparent scope
and purpose so as to take in at a single
glance the full sweep of that renewal
and elevated life which it seeks to beget.
We fail to observe the connection of one
part with another marking the beautiful
consistency which runs through it from
beginning to end. Thus with our narrow
reach of vision--we think that the wis
ual line that girts us round is the truths
cxtrem.' Out of this narrowness Of
view has arisen the diversified organiza-
tons, Cor churchcs) each claiming to be
the right and true one.
And yet, when you analyZe all these,
you will find that they all aim at the one
thng-the way to secure the heaven for
which mans poor and aching heart
yearns.
The lines of all history from Eden until
now, only corroboratc the same. Truth
is one always and ever-like the Missis-
sippi gathering into itself the streams
and springs from hilltop and vale in its
course through the ages. And as in ma
ture new springs come to enlarge and
beautify the landscape; SO from time to
time new springs of thought come from
the fountain of all thought to enrich and
beautify the world.
We need therefore have no fears, for
what is true and good and living will sur
vive; what is shallow and fed by show
ers will dry up.
We have selected this text for the pur-
pose of pointing out the way by which
we may commend and practically live the
truth we have. The apostle in this short
but comp ehcnsive sentence very clearly
cmbodics the qualities and spirit of the
genuine Christian.
The simplicity or childlike heart, the
exalted godliness of the holy one and the
sincerity of Jesus who in all his earthly
life has shown us the true pattern The
gospel we are set to preach and live will
be more likely to get hearing from t e
world common sense and to lodge itself
in the worlds convictions by the exem-
pliilcation of these qualities in our lives,
than by any formal statement of doctrine
however correct.
Whatever may be our imperfections
and shortcomings, and we all have them,
yet if men see that we are sincere and
honest in our convictions and consccn-
tlous in our duties they will approve and
be led in the right way.
The religion of Jesus comes to us rs
the supreme reality of all lifc-real in the
positive and eternal object it reveals, the
ground of all true life and act and hope
real in the tone of its appeal to our conf
dencc and acceptaDce--real in its adapta-
ton o. supply and satisfaction to our per-
sonal needs and real in the end it propos-
es--to make our lives beautiful here and
raise us to the higher beauty and glory of
the everlasting. blessed life. The church
is vital natural and rational outcome of
the life and love and bencvolence of the
Redeemer. An organization through
which, and by which, that life and love
and beneyolence may be manifested to
the world. When any organization fails
to do this it fails to be a church, and for
this reason. The church has its roots in
God and in his purpose to bless the world
through her. Her fibcrs are all interwo-
ven with the fibers of the human heart
and its wants, and interviewer in the life
of Christ With mans highos st and purest
aspirations.
1t is not an Ingenious contrivance to
secure adherence to party or sect. Why
should few true souls from year to year
pay their money into corporation from
which they never expect dividend?
Why? Only because they love it and
through it hope to bless others. You are
now wisely, aud rightly, too, investing
large sums of money to build up a bust
ness here which will, we hope, bring you
large dividends and will also be benefit
to others after you are gone.
This is praiseworthy; but mark this,
dear friends, all you invest in securing
for yourselves and those who shall come
to you in this place of worship in sccur-
ing the means of spiritual improvement
will enhance the value of all you do for
the improvement of your beautiful vii
lage and the enlargement of its business.
Here sitting with you to-day are few
whose heads now ripen into autumn beau
ty; who In simplicity and Cody sincerity
have preserved this beautiful little sane
upon the altar. And let me tell you, dear
friends, when in few years more you
lay them away to rcst-wherc they can
no more meet with you, they will be
missed, but they will leave you hallowed
memories that will never die.
The sacred ties that bind you to them
and bind them to this consecrated place
of prayer will cease so far as their bodies
are concerned, but their spirits will linger
around this hallowed spot where their
prayers went up In simplicity and Cody
sincerity for you and yours. They looked
not on the things seen, bat the things
which are above. The visible around us
too often shuts from our view these SOL
ernn realities. Whet is seen crowds what
Is dimly apprchended out of view, and
prevents spiritual things from being ac-
cepted.
The gospel has to bt repeated and Its