OUR LAY SERMON FOR SUNDAY READING.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1262, 7 May 1896, Page 42

OUR LAY SERMON FOR SUNDAY READING.

ENTHUSIASM IN RELIGION. " It is good to bo ze ilqusly affected always ia a good thing."—Galatians iv., IS. Tlioro aro two facts which every careful observer must have noticed. Tho first is that Satan is an enthusiast. His interest in his work novor Hags; his vital energy is always at high pressure, and tho attractiveness of wrongdoing ia urged ■with an eloquence full of deadly zeal. He is not simply industrious, for ho labours ■with unceasing delight in tho task ho has set himself. Tho second is that those whose mis-ion is to direct us to heaven do so with a listless air, as though it were not of much consequence whether wo reach that destination or not. if an angel From the New Jerusalem were to visit us be would he greatly astonished to find that religion ij kept in a refrigerator, while temptations aro always served hot. And yet what is there within the boundless realm of possible truth that is bettor calculated to rouse the enthusiasm of mankind than a simple ami recreating religion 'i I do not refer to the creeds, for they only servo to enmesh and entangle the soul, but to those spiritual principles which every one can understand and on which every ono can build a house that no storm can shake.

Take, for example, the carelessly reiterated statement that you can live in close and intimate relations with God—relations so close that Ho becomes literally a part of yourself and throws the shadow of His protecting presence over you. If for the first time that thought; should enter your mind, you would be ablaze with excitement. It would kindle tho zeal which conquers all things and stir tho soul in its profoundost depths. You cannot hold such relations with God without becoming Clod-like, and there is no limit to what you may do or may become when His life enters by the smallestconceivable fraction into your life, (or if His will is your will also, then to a certain extent His power is yours. That which is merely worldly ,viH drop like the frostbitten leaves of autumn and you will take on something of the divinity of Christ, who has told us in plain terms that " greater things than these shall ye do" when tho spirit of earth gives way to the spirit of heaven.

Strange things will happen to a man who realises tho fact that faith in God is a miracle worker. Even the physical system •will feel its effects, and half the diseases •which drag us at their chariot wheels will disappear. The. mind largely controls the body, and when tho mind is restful and reposeful cvory nerve feels a tranquilising influence. Our maladies are tho result either of broken laws on our part or on tho part of those from whom we have inherited. The race should be healthy and vigorous, and if it is not so sumo one on tho earth, but no ono in heaven, is at fault. A life that is close to God permeates the body with a strong tendency to health, is physically recuporative, and leads us ever toward tho highest standard of bodily excellence.

We must not forget that with IhoCVist diseas3 was impossible, because the body took on tho complexion of mind and heart, and the nearer we are to Christ tho nearer avo aro to health. Then think of tho mental results of searching for and finding God in everything, of feeling that so far as your eyes ■will permit you have the same outlook as tho angels! Think of the happiness which he must enjoy win can honestly say " God first; His purposes first ; His will first,and as for myself, I will be literally buried in that will and in those purposes 1" At present we live at such a distance from Him that Ho scorns little moro than a myth or a grand and boundless possibility. We pass our time in a befoginent of petty aims, of selfish desires, of small pleasures and excitements, and our souls aro bound hand and foot by tho twisted cord of passions and indtilgejicies unworthy of beings whose de-tiny outspans tho present and gra ;ps < t'rnity. We aro harassed not only by unavoidable hut also byavoidah .■ cm--: sad ~ ... i s. Tit ; - is no spirit ual qui ! ■ v;kv in u : , and Ihe power which r 'me.; !Y.i:.ii. p>.■ i•■ unknown to us. Tim region of .viva i submit -i.m, of unquestioning fait !i, his a-.: vol b• a explored. When Cm wmid he"-!:, ■; unworldly, wC-a wu real!;-' the I'.ict ih'd >. • are children ■md thai ue h.ivo a Fii in-.', WO Shall bee an ; inir.e.;!;: '.v.:id; iv, and !he greatest mir.ii.dj <>l ad will be (he change in ourselves. With the;... 1!,.,:, !e -i„ -,..;:;■ !,.■;..,■! v-.i may do all thb; ;•; and l> ar :.!! diss ;. E.vu your p ~;-:.y >-.hl h • ,-ui. h -!, ;■,- pavert y c-a;; • • ;.. !■ •i ■ ■■■■ : • i w '-., ei ,- ..,- tfsntme.it ivi ! i e.e ,- : l -i i • ■■.■ ~1 -. , .-. ■ daily ta-k will •>.• ;•■■: : o, ,:• i h.y !:..•! Interior light ■«■ hicii is {, ■'. ■■.■;■ Sl;.'.a lb.- ii. ; h! of tho sue. \ ■•-, aa ■ ; ti. • •;:■• -w ■, .-' i\':<; will have i;i >ir ••':. •■■•■, l'..r wh :•■.. ■ I >.! ihi ■'-,, is best for in w.m:im endure. Life will be only a path .v,i i' (.. h ;iv "!, ami ' i:e fa' are will be itlummd by Ike !h ■■.-. ;hi tied 100.-e who have gme ai ■ '.'. ;':' ing !■ > he! u-'.■..• i morning un Hi •■ fur! h- v - ■here. \ i-eh--,!-..! of that kind, wi'.h G ; I'.-i bind mouhiing ovl'ihb and wi! !i he iv -.<. c' ■> ■■. .■: ;•;, •-. ghi; to rouse the utmost entiuiiiasm of whuh tho human soul is capable. A grand bn.z .ar is to he Isold in the Skating Rink in October next for ihe purpose of liquidating a consider.iblo debt on the Convent buildings, erected 13 years ago. For some years past all energies have been directed towards tho erection of the now orphanage, which is now complete and a credit to the city. Donations will be thankfully received by the Skiers of Mercy, Convent, Hill street, the lady stallholders and the gentlemen of the committee,