The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07
.HEPWORTH'S SERMON
ON FUTURE LIFE.
Believes the Next World Will Offer
Intellectual Opportunities Which
Are Denied on Earth.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL
New York. Sunday, July 1.-The Rever-
end Doctor George Fl. Hepworth's sermon.
in to-day's Herald. Is taken from St. John
xiv. 2: 'In My Fathers House Are Many
Mansions
What pursuits and pleasures will occupy
our attention in the next life? This IN a
question which not only exciteS our curios-
ity, but seriously demands an answer. Since
every day brings US nearer to the great
mystery OF death. we naturally inquire con-
corning the conditions on which we shall
enter after we leave the valley of shadows
and emerge into world about which only
the faintest hints have been vouchsafed. =
Life Of the Soul.
We are not, however. left entirely In tho
dark on this subject. The little we know
leads to many a reasonable surmise. for
since there Is a certain fixed consistency
in the realm of spirit, as well of mat
ter. 1t Is safe to build a future out Of the
capacities and iongings of human nature.
The scientific Imagination predicts. with
considerable assurance. the kind of physical
life which exists on the planets Of our sys-
tenn. and its statements are received with
undoubting confidence. In like manner the
much hesitation. to declare that = given en-
virOnment must result from our passage In
to the immortal life. It would be folly to
insist on details, but general principles may
The fact that the drudsery Of our earthly
career will be dispensed with. and that the
soul will be free to follow an unhampered
inclination. is itself a prophecy Of what will
happen. In this underworld physical neces-
| stiles press upon us like heavy. burden.
full scope. The body Is always in evidence,
, but the soul is in the Swallowed background.
, Manual work in order to maintain exist
ence. daily struggle to supply our material
life
We have neither time nor ability to pro-
vide for order for the soul. because 30 much
time and energy are required to provide for
order for the needy. Millions OF tnen are
hardly conscious OF their immortality be-
time in keeping a roof over their heads and
! in earning bread for their children. Tho
years pass. and when the end comes the
, one OF the puzzles which confront US when
We try to understand the providence OF
God.
/, Death Frees the spirit.
But with death we leave this burden at the
churchyard gate. No more anxiety about
the body. 1t has done its work and Is reveg-.
emily LAID laid aside When clothed with spir;
pure soul comes to the forefront. We may
declare. therefore. that the next life viii
Which have heretofors been aened Mmd
and heart. aspiration and affection. not
only the nobler man. but the real man. will
viii be growth. The radiance Of Infinite Wis
dom and love will beckon us toward the
IDEAL The universe will be q schoolroom. and
God himself our teacher. We shall begin
! then with q condition which IL now almost
tnconceivabie, but which will be unalterably
blessed. Under such influences there must
4 needs be an awakening of dormant powers
/ and the dimmed apd blurred souls Of earth
will have an eternity in which to become
| archangels.
A ProDhesy.
I believe that every one has the breath
stitutes personality-a personality which
will persist forever. It will not be absorbed
! in the infinite as drop Of wafer - alb
I sorbed by the ocean, but VIII maintain ~
separate identity throughout eternity. More.
| another life. slowly educate itself and rise
to heights not dreamed Of. No part Of God
can die. neither can II remain dormant. 1t
will, when 1t becomes conscious Of itself.
push its way into broader spheres Of In
fuence and development, coming nearer to
| the Father In the passing cycles OF eternity.
! until at last the morning stars win once
more sing together over a redeemed world
| world awakened to Its true destiny and
| engaged In the glorious work Of accom-
plishing 1t.
Such thoughts fill the dark landscape oil
the present with glorious light. We belong
to Christ and boundless love shelters III
with ito protecting wings. A faith like that
uplifts our struggling and Respondent souls
for when we have borne our burdens brave
| ~ death will give us the relief We pray for
life. We must. therefore. be cheerful, pa
| tient and Courageous nor let the Ills Of the
l present unit US for tho blessings OF the
| future. God IL our Father and We should
/ get nearer to him with every trial and sor-
row: We shall not really live until We live