Year: 1877

CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.


RETURN OF REV. GEORGE H. HEPwoRTH-


A SERMON BASED ON THE EXPERIENCES OF


HIS EUROPEAN TRIP.


Tho Rev. George H. Hepworth preached, for tho first
time sinco his return from Europe, to very large
congregation In the Church OF the Disciples, Madison
avenue. The congregation gave floral expression OF
the gadncss with which they welcomed their pastor
by decorating the platform with flowers and plants.
Immediately opposite the desk and over the com
munion table elaborate device composed Of
white flowers. The floral decoration OF the organ and
choir had been nrustcd to the care OF the ladies' OF
The congregation ana the principal feature was an in
scription in pink lowers white ground. oil "Re-
ioice ana be elad.n The earnestnes5 with which the
large congregation Joined IN the singing OF tho hymns
evidenced delight that they had again an oppor
tunity Of meeting thoir pastor.


Mr. Hepworth selected for his text Proverbs, xvii,
y-"As the bird that wandereth from her nest, Is
man that wandercth from his place." This provorb
OF Solomon said tho preacher has proved itself true
IN my own experience during the months of my alb
senco When left you, listening to the last "Goodby"
and "God bless your that came from your lips, vas
full OF fond aniicpations not only Of rest for tho body
but also Of rercshment tor the mind, and although
IN no way disappointed. yet II has seemed 70 me
that tho best part OF 1t all was the coming back ana
looking the faces Of those who have worked aud
walked by my side. and who have always gwen TO me
their heartfelt sympathy and cooperation.
wherever one may 70 the heart remains behind. The
eyes look upon strange pictures and yet with but
lille satisfaction long there is sense OF oneli-
ones spirit that can only DO satished by re-
turn those who are dear TO us. Mr. Hepworth then
described the beauty of the Rhne the scenery on Its
banks the asles of the Louvre, IN which were
tho wondrous galleries OF paintings; the marvellous
cathedras OF Europe the expression oil the reiigous
gcnius and religious faith Of the world in all ages;
but in all these tances and amid all these won
ders he felt himself stranger He continued by say
ing that offered his sincere thanks tor tho golden
opportunity that had been presented TO MIN oy TINS
vacation IN Europe. In II hc had learned much that
he should have 10 tell his congregation IN days TO
come Tor he had much that It would be necessary
to describe to them. he wished that every minister
had fond and intelligent people TO minister to as
he had that every minister wno teaches tho truth
OF God could have similar opportunity TO visit the
Old Hord and see how the hand OF Providence IS to
be found IN everything aud everywhere.


LESSONS FROM THE OCEAN.


.o. ~ IN ,%o par~es have looked nnon In the arst
place must not forgot Gods great ocean, which
love-ths that binds two hemspheres together.
On had u storm, and as saw our YES
sell whicn seemed village almost IN tseli lifted along
great wave aud cast about In this wondrous sea
though II were straw, thought OF how great aud
marvellous was the care of COD over Us all and now
blessed tho privilege OF the CONSCIOUSNESS that
the Christian man possesses tnat wherever nc IS ana
under whatever circumstances may surround HIN,
GOD Is there to care for him. TO protect him with lis
overshadowing love, and whate'er may betide him he
ID sale In the arms OF Jesus Then was struck win
another characteristic OF the ocean, There arc no
landmarks It. l the Captain finding
seemed to that The Christian might do
something OF the same sort There arc days
when everything goes well with US, and there are
seasons when are so entirely helpless that we
feel ourselves iorsakcn completely. Yet we are safer
IN the widest tempest of when we can look
through that dark night To the stars above head
ana beyond them TO The face oil our God who knows
spiritual condition and VIII bring us to Him, ana
al will bo well. reminded also by tho ocean Of
tho great force there IN the doctrine OF our resur
rection. You may wonder how the ocean should
speak other life and yet did In thunder
tones. Let me tell you how It was. l Was waking
on the deck one day when the Captain Ia man whom
learned love his sterling ana noble characterl
came to mo and said, 'Some one has just died on
board" When he SAID this strange loneliness came
me, and said 10 the Captain, "Died here and
cemetery. What will you do with hmS VIII you
carry the poor fellow home to his friends 2" The Cap
shook his head and said No; that against the
rules" sWhat shall you do. theny" 1 said He
ped ~ shall bury him to-day at twelve" Then
remembered what cemetery this ocean was that IL
was only the graves but the old ocean itself that
shall give up its dead and what muttuuc there was
that had been entombed IN the deep blue sea.


AN APPEAL TO THE CHURCH.


After very touching reference 10 the death OF sew
crat members OF MS congregation during his absence,
whom nc hal expected To greet return, and to
the fact that others who had been afflicted that he
thought ho was bidding them 'goodby +" Tor the last
lime on earth and should not say "rood morning"
again 70 them until he them In heaven, no re-
marked that he wishedto say 10 the congregation how
greatly he had been impressed with the fact that tho
whole Christian Churcn Is ike one great army, of
which the leader Is the Lord. Let forget
the time OF baltic the success depends upon the
courage and fidelity OF each. Brethren, as the oruer
from high for us to advance, us listen to
II with brave and earnest hearts and remember that
each and every one OF us can do something tor God
Let obey this call with willing fcet and strong arms
determined TO prove ourselves valiant IN the day OF
battle from the strong hand of the enemy
token OF our loyalty and allegiance to the
King OF Kings Let US be bu, one army Ia this church;
let there be but heart bo prayer
that Christ offered just before He left HIS disciples,
"Father, pray thee that they may ali be one."