Year: 1879

RELIGION THE SUN IN THE CONSTELLATION OF


IDEAs-sERMoN BY REV. DIR. HUEBscH.


Rev. Dr. Huebsch preached before his congrega-
ton in the Temple Ahawath Chesed. Lexington
avenue, taking his text from Isaiah H., 1-16-"And
I have placed my words in thy mouth. and with the
shadow Of my hand have covered thee to plant
the heavens and to lay the foundations Of the earth
and to say to Zion. Thou art my people,


Many in our time, said the Doctor, are accus-
toned to look upon religion as upon a coin that is
interesting antiquity but has ceased to be
rent in the market and therefore all religious ideas
received by them with superior sceptical smile.
If to say. Benighted visionary. what shall do
with your midnight dreams in broad daylight?
In truth, however. religion Is the stamp
which the Creator has imprinted upon the
human SOUL 1t will change and
never lose its value. 1t will forever remain the
means to procure what ia most necessary for in
life. and it is the only genuine coin with which
have to pay the Charon who is to convey from
this side of lite to the blessed shores of eternity Re-
ligon is not dream it is rather the true interpre-
tation Of lifes quaint dream. Man. with all that
passes in and around him. remains unsolved rid
die, unless the solution is sought in that sublime
system called religion. We not at loss to state
clearly what religion wants to make of you. and
what it expects you to make Of it; but you must be
at utter loss how to get along in life without it,
AS long rs you are sailing on the still waters OF
pleasure. and your affairs glide on smoothly you
ture of the element to which you trust.
s sour Vessel all by yourself. But when the storm @
rises, when obstinate gale drives you toward the
sharp edged reefs which threaten to crack and to
sink your nutshell Of bark then. in your hopeless
struggle. what can be more welcome to your soul
than the the Lord thy GSd
have placed my words in thy mouth. and with the
shadow Of my hand cover thee" Such message is
calming and reassurng. 1t increases the human
strength until the storm will have subsidized
and the victory shall be Yes II the only func
ton OF religion curb and repress the pride
and eyerbearing OF the powerful and to lend the sa
of encouragement and comfort to those that
weary and suffering. this one missive alone would
be sufficient to make faith the most benecent agent
OF mankind.


THE WIDE SCOPE OF RELIGION.


But religion does more, and you must examine its
widest scope in order be able fully to appreciate
its value. Religion gives to man God. 1t leads
him to the fountxinhead of love aud mercy it shows
him the focus whero all tho luminous rays of what
is good and noble concentrate themselves. 1t
speaks to the mortal Strive to be the image the
Eternal; 60 after Hin in purity aud holiness be to
your fellow men what you expect Him to be to you;
sanctity your mind in virtue, love aud mercy, and
you to be acceptable to your Heavenly
Father. Can there be wiser teacher
full teaching for manY Wide as the world of ideas is
and shining as the great thoughts of man may be.
they all like the little stars whose light
vanshcs before the allconquering light Of the one
great star that rules the day. The religious idea



stcation of great and useful ideas. Religion aims
to make OF you true men--children OF God And
what shall you make OF religiony Let ii become in
your hand tool blessed tool to plant heaven and
To lay the foundations OF the Garth. Your earthly
life lacks its true foundation long II lacks
niusion OF the spirit from on high. Never forget
that the earth must not NIL your entire heart.
Make in 1t that heaven may be planted
there, and If YOU want to follow tho
right track in educating your progeny take
your chid's hand aud lay 1t ON his heart and ask
him. what do you feel hereY You to
the answer. love for my father and motAer!
Point you then upward and say to your child Well.
there in one above who is mine aud your Heavenly
Father: HIM must love; in Him must live.
Rest assured tho child will love dearly the God whom
the father adores sincerely Thus you plant heaven
thus YOU lay the true foundation to you own aud
to your childs future happiness. May the sea stir.
may its bilows you will feel safe under the pro-
lection that Almighty hand that forever holds the
uniXursn