The New York herald., 1870-06-13
81. ALBAs's CHURCH.

me beauty and POmp OF Ritualism-Ser.
mnn by Father G. w. Morriil-The Chris
tian's Warfare.
On Thirty-seventh street. near Lexington avenue,
stands a church of modest exterior and of plain
architecture, but on entering its portals very dif
ferent view Is presented, and the eye is charmed
with the imposing grandeur, yet solemn appearance
which the embellishments OF the church present to
spectator. The feeling OF sanctity is increased
fold during the celebration Of divine service, and
feeling OF devotion takes possession of those assist
ing at the service, which Is somewhat heightened by
the other concomiants-namely, the vestinented
ministers
AND sURPLIcE CLAD CHORIsTERs,
which render this church peculiar from other
Episcopal churches Yesterday the services (rlt.
ualisic) were most imposing and, were celebrated
by Father Noyes, assisted by Father G. w. Morrill,
recrcr) as deacon, and Father Downie as sub-dea-
| con. Tie church was crowded by q congregation
composed OF elegantly attred ladies and gentlemen.
| At the conclusion OF divine service, Holy Commu-
| mon was given round and was partaken OF by q
| large number OF both sexes. The sermon was
preached by the Rev. c. w. Morrill,, rector Of the
church, a gentleman who combines nuency Of
| speech with excellent delivery aud appro.
pfmle gestures. He was listened to with
macs @ attention ,sa and took for his text
our faith. "-John ", A. This ne exempfed as fol-
lows:-The world Is the Christians adversary and
X
falth. BY the Whole world is meant the
''COILECTIvE COMMON LIFE OF sIN"
the whole realm OF evil, the entire system OF ungOd-
lness, with It's authors, abettOrs and servants, Else
where the Apostle, even as his Master mad DONE sets
the world over against God In chronic antagonIsm,
unbeer and cOvetousness. Thus 1t is that. as 1t
is arrayed also against the children of the Kingdom
them In proportion as Christians are not Of It, the
World'' hates them, according to Christ's words.
sary's country; and to come on ''more than CON
querors" Christians must be aggressive they must
"FIGHT THR GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH"
The enemy must be followed up, encountered at
tackled on all sides, pressed sore until routed and
''al his armor wherein he trusted be taken from
him." The faith OF which the Apostle speaks Is that
whereby 1t realizes the things it wishes and hopes
OF things unseen. It's sole object is the Trune God;
its subjects are all things and whatsoever He mas
intellectual as moral act, it depends upon the
OverpowerlDg force OF logical processes but upon
certain moral taste, and Il is governed by that In
flexible law In Gods kingdom, "First believe, then
thou sQalt kuQW,o in unDeiref is contained AL
that is in the world.n Look to our rst parents for
an exemphncation OF the truth OF this remark. The
devil had no sooner succeeded in undermining their
belief In God than the whole world broke in upon
and overwhelmed them
"the lust OF the eyes and the pride Of life." God
said, "Ye shall surely die;" the serpent said, Eye
seemed vastly more in accordance with the deduc.
tons OF reason than did the former, for the stree
plainly was good for food" pleasant to the eyes''
with the sin OF unbellefthat L. giving Satans word
the preference over Gods word-came In all the SINS
imaginable, and with them all our woe. Every one
who has fallen since-frOm Cain to Judas and from
Judas to the founder OF the last sect or to the last
blaspnemer-has fallen through unbelief, the fertile
womb Of all unrighteOusness. Faith, on the other
hand IL the fruitful source OF all that is lovely and
OF good report" the grand principle by which evil
mother OF all righteousness. Faith, however, Is not
to be regarded as one grace by itself, but rather
ness no temporary, impetuous feeling or emotion,
excited merely by the sudden presentation Of truth
to me mind, leading TO nothing practica no mere
lndoent trust IN the Saviour or anything He vOuch-
sa1ed " do for Us.
FAITH Is A HABIT OF THE MIND,
the one moving or ruling principle Of daily action:
1t is the swaying and governing principle OF the
Christians mind; 1t Is the standard gauge and mea-
sure of all things which are TO be thought OF or
hope. There Is, therefore, no such thing except In
thought, as justifying faith without evangelical
works. All such works are, as 1t We're, wrapped up
and contained IN faith, ready to spring out OF
It as God calls. When once t lives In
germ. 1t is the living root OF the fruitful tree. IL
is IN Its full conception the very sum total Of all our
l for has not our Lord sad This 4 IS
hath sent" Faith knitting us to our Redeemer i'm
parts to us OF HIS strength that we can work good
that Is good. Ii does Gods will as He wills Pas.
slve virtue also 1t has, it suffers what lie win because
Father Morrill, continued by explaining more par.
ticularly the meaning Of strue faith and the sacr
fees which Christian win make for his
ne said:-Above all things and in all
things looK steadfastly unto Jesus the author
ana hnisher Of faith; not 80 much at what he has
done for you-athough that-not 80 much at his
maxims-although that-as at Him and His match
less beauty. For love Of Him Of His person. be
among the foremost In every good word and work.
BECAUSE HE IS THE DIVINE CHRIST.
His precepts cannot be criticized much less gain.
sayed, because Jesus is what He is-very God. His
example carries absolute authority because He is
the person He is. HIS work in behalf-in behalf
OF the great OF beings all eficacious and chat
lenges the adoring gratitude Of every human soul;
for IN him every soul has It's friend.
Look unto him and you shall have an ever growing
faith; and the world, the whole empire OF evil shall
not hurt you; nay you shall vanqnsh IT.; for this is
the victory that 0vercometh the world even our
faith.
On next Friday, st. Adams Day, there will be q
high celebration Of holy communion seven O'Clock
A. NJ, IN this church.
ST. FRANCIS XAVIERsS GAIIRCH