The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-01
PRINCIPLES WORTH
MORE Than DOCTRINES
The Rev. DR.. Hepworth Believes
There Will Be No Theology in
Heaven-Love Should Rule.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL
New York. June 3OIThe Reverend Doctor
Hepworth's sermon in to-day's Herald Is
taken from st. Luke, viii, u:
''My brethren are these which hear the
work of God and do It."
The most homogeneous popularity of the
church is its lack Of charity toward differ
ent opinions
The Christian world Is naturally and
properly divided into sects. but each sect
occupies feudal stronghold. from which
it sallies forth to make war on all whose
theology is unlike its own. and that Is fatal
to usefulness. The brotherhood of the race
Is ignored, and the fatherhood of God,
which makes brotherhood imperative. is
thrust aside in the ambition to increase the
influence Of this or that denomination, The
angels look down in pity on the PRACTICAL
ly vicious narrowness which regards itself
as the sole possessor of the truth. and
which decides the fate Of souls in the
future. not by the life they lead. but by
the opinions they hold concerning dogma.
I don't believe there will be any theology
In heaven. 1t Is too small q matter for Be-
rious consideration. When we cross the
river and have solved the great mystery
Of death We shall find that principles ure
worth more than doctrines, and that what
is in the heart is worth more than what is
in the head. A pure motive. illustrated by a
pure life. will come to the front as the
prime essential Of peace and happiness,
while the creed which has made us passion-
ate and ungenerous, will sink like stone
In the sea OF oblivion.
The music OF a well-trained orchestra Is
one Of the most excellent things on the
earth. Its perfection consists OF its variety
q Nj ~ hal 1fv,r~ Al TIA
SOUNDS made by the different Instruments
produce a harmony which soothes our sor-
row and changes our Joy to ecstasy. The
air Is vibrant with an unlifting influence
which Is at once a tonic and a sedatiye It
reaches each hearer through different
channel but reaches all with an inspiration
well night divine. In this orchestra each
player follows the score and needs the
baton OF the leader. Those are the two es.
sentials. 1t is only important that he should
be skilled In the use of the instrument he
prefers, whether It be violin or cornet. or
drum. II he does not bungle, hut is master
OF his part, and plays with soul as well as
myers. or lips there Is one grand over.
mastering volume Of sound which subdues
the heart, brings tears to the eyes and gives
the listener glimpse OF heaven. II the
o.; nag lie, were envious Of the violin. and spent
result. Each player must feel that he is
part OF the whole. and that the whole must
accord to each the merit that Is due. Fra
ternity is the secret Of success. The or
chestra stands IN its own light, and will
accomplish nothing unless this secret is
understood and made the basis Of action.
Spirit In Everything.
Just so with the Christian church. Men
OF different temperaments will prefer this
nothing; the spirit is everything. Not all
5ect, whether 1t be religion or politics or
science. The world Is wide enough for ev-
cry kind OF opinion that was ever honestly
welcomed and given the right to sow It's
field and reap its harvest. II this be done,
we shall by and by find out what thoughts
when II proves itself to be the best When
the millennium comes sectarianism will be
known Know no more. II Y mans environment
bid him Godspeed: II he il fascinated By
the logic OF the Presbyterian. we shall 70
with him as far as the door Of his place
find the peace he seeks. go our own way to
our own altar. He and We are members Of
Coos great orchestra. the score is the
| tons Of Christ into his life this old world
OF ours Will give forth volume OF har.
mony which will drive evil Of ali kinds to
cover. as the rising of the sun drives the
darkness before It.
| What Is needed is more genuine. hearty
love. Religion consists Of nothing else. Il
holds within itself all the virtues. One can.
not love without being generous and char
table, kindly to the faults OF others and
helpful to those who seek heaven by dif-
travel north or south. or east or west,
since God nils space in all directions. and
we journey toward his house?
trouble. criticize yourself but not them. BE
true to your own soul, uphold the risht. IA
| word. be Christlike, and you cannot 70
s assHfray' Tor you and the father are sdde By