Morning journal and courier., 1889-09-16
RNTHUsIAsm AND ITS BOUNDS.

Religious Enthusiasm, Hts Aspect
 ana Effects, Ably Discussed by Rev.
 Edward Hawes, D. D., of Burling-
 Son, Vermont, From the Fulpis Oi
 Center Church Yesterday Morning.
 Enthusiasm in its relation to religion and the true ends of life was ably discussed by Rev. Edward Hswes, D. D., of Burlington Vermont, from the pulpit of Center church yesterday morning. Dr. Hswes was former ly pastor of the old North church here and many of his old parishioners were out to hear his voice once more. As a text Dr. Hawes chose Isaiah, 52; I; awake, awake; put on thy strength, o Zion"; Psalms 69, ": "For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up"; Philippians, 4, XIII: I can do all things through Christ which strength eneth me-"
 We dssire something from these verses upon enthusiasm in christian service, began Dr. Hawes. An enthusiast is called one who imagines himself divinely inspired, fanatic. He is said to be more punctilious observer of his creed than of his work. He is thought to be some surly kind of per son as the poet was thinking of when he ohantsd:
 .sRash enthusiasm in good society
 Were nothing but . moral enebriety.''
 It would be a sad thing, nevertheless, If these things should furnish any excuse for slackening order. No great work was ever accomplished without enthusiasm. There comes certain inspiration at the depot of make everything subordinate to lofty an- bition. Is there enough in nature to excite the intense zeal of him who searches out her secrets and envelopes his mind in Hash of uncomfortable joy at every new discoverya
 Ia there enough in battle, books or anything else to create the great enthusiasm with
 which they are pursuedl It is doubtless a fact that some men cannot be so enthusias- tic as others. We are not harsh in our judg. ment of those who are deficient in makeup.
 There are some SO dwarfed In their physical and moral being that they cannot
 be unusually moved. But 1t is by no means true that because one Is destitute of sacred enthusiasm he Is incapable of great things in life. It should not prove incapacity. One need only be susceptible to sound judgment and common sense. Surely there can be nothing to call into highest activity the best
 powers of our being than facts governing our
 moral being and relationship to the Most High. These passages of our text show that moral sluggishness should be disassociatsd with eur communion with the Lord. If for one hour we could stand by the side of tho living Christ and see the hearts of the world beneath, we would know with what intene desire he is keeping his church awake. In doing the great things which it is ex- pected a church will accomplish, there is lack of that activity and earnest enthusiasm which is necessary. These scripture passages not only make our duty clear, but they res mind us what has been attained by men of like passions as ourselves. We are childish in these matters. As a child, whatever is hard and In any way painful, we shrink from If possible. It is not so with men swayed by a mighty ambition, passion, an enthusi- ssm. The enthusiasm required Is not that of zealots or bigots, but strong attachment to the Lord Jesus Christ and belief that men can be saved through his grace. We must believe that battle ia going on be- tween spiritual forces, the bad pitted against the good, and that the right will finally con- quer through the Lord. There is lack of such enthusiasm as this. One reason is doubtless found in the multiplied cases of daily life. Another reason is perhsps found in the fact that SO many know each other SO well. In other words whatever is said of our individual destiny, we are all the time effected by those above us. We know what they have pro- fessed and find in their lives no inspiring ex- ample. A partial explanation may be found in the necessary routine and outward per- formance of religious observances. Another reason, and more weighty one, is this: In many instances of christian observances, christian results are not aimed at. Some say to excuse this, large numbers cannot com bine eforts as e few can. But it is not in increase of numbers but in decrease of per- sonal obligation. We should remember that If one member forgets his obligations all are injured.
 It would be important for us to under-
 stand that there Is just ground for enthusi- l. Al -E kl.-
 not understand religion who restricts 1t to
 jaw, prohibition and like individualities.
 The enthusiasm of which we speak is not the opposite of inward quietness, but of in- difference. Sound enthusiasm belongs to him whose life is hidden with Christ in God. The spirit of God will fill us and we will be more and more inspired with heavenly ar- dor,