The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-04-30
WESTMINSTER CHURCH.

The sermon of Rev. Mr.. Mott yesterday
morning at the Westminster Church was
devoted to the subject, believing in
Jesus"
He first analyxed the difference between
tne bpesSsr use " tne ter ana .n ts
ability TO accomplish certain aim in life;
in the lawyer to conduct his case to sue
cessful issue; in the man of literary pur-
suits to write an interesting work. in the
financier to accomplish some business
enterprise. That is, we have confidence
that all Of these have the qualities that
will enable them to care for
their various specialties and material oc-
cupations. But the belief in Jesus is far
broader and deeper In its significance. We
believe in Him because we have confidence
In His power and will to lead US and direct
US in our spiritual, moral, social and busi-
ness lives SO that we may, each one of us,
attain the highest aim in life and develop
the noblest qualities within us.
There are three things which this belief
in Jesus will result in, and by which its
value to man may be judged; they are
liberty, success and happiness. Gan
tama, the founder Of Buddhism, believed
founder of Judaism. Experience, how
ever, taught them that liberty without
restraint Of any nature led to the
development OF the ignoble character
istics of man, that is to license. Hence
both taught their followers, by law and
by commandment, to restrain themselves.
Jesus also taught men to be free, not by
restraining their evil desires, but by cul-
tivsting their noble desires, so that the
liberty that belief in Him brings, is abso-
lutte freedom to follow ones own wishes,
because the true believer in Him will wish
only TO do that which is right.
The success which this belief brings lies
not necessarily in material gain or in i'm
mediate renown. One philosopher has
taught that the man who would succeed
must help himself. Christ teaches that
he who would succeed must help others.
The man who lives by the philosophers
precepts may accomplish his selfish end
ard win fame, but the one who follows
Christs admonition will win moree en-
during renown. Savouarola. the poor
monk, lives and is reverence6 by millions
centuries after the names of the opulent
men of his time who lived in luxury and
despised him are forgotten; the same IL
true OF thousands of others whom history
treats of.
The happiness that comes OF belief in
Jesus Is also enduring and pure. Material
pleasures may be bought by money, but
are fieeting, and In fact only create an ep-
petite for further satisfying the lust and
animal passions. The Roman emperors
are perhaps as good illustrations as any OF
men surrounded by apparent luxury and
happiness and whose lives were only
hollow mockeries. The happiness OF the
Christian lies in right life, in conscious
ness Of uprightness, of love, and charity,
of trust and confidence that gives
abiding peace.
The musical service was less severely
classical than last Sunday. The selections
included, two solos from Miss White,
soprano, "Entreat me not to Leave Thee
by Gounod, and the "Holy City" by
Adams; q graceful work of Sullivan's,
"The Way Is Long and Dreary," contain
ing a trio for the three lower voices and
closing with a sustained passage for
soprano, and an arrangement of q Wag-
ner air by Schneider, in which each voice
i'm turn carries the air.