The New York herald., 1870-06-20
CHURCH OF The STRANGER.
No Neutrality in Religion-Serm0n by the
Rev. DIR. Deems.

No Neutrality in Religion-Sermon by the
Rev. DIR. Deems.
Notwithstanding the great heat which prevailed
yesterday large and highly fashionable audience
was present at the morning service at the Church
Of the Stranger, in University place. to hear dis
course by the Rev. DR.. Deems upon the subject of
neutrality In religion.
The Doctor selected mis- text from Matthew xi.,
sO-"He that is not with us is against u.s." The
preacher vigorously attacked the deusion OF the
thought that man may be neutral in religion.
Some men seem to think that tnay havea
RESERVED RIGHT TO BE SINNERS
rs long as they please and take mp the question Of
duty when they choose; that so long as they did not
insult and blaspheme God and were not wanting IN
polteness to the devil neither party mad any right
complain. But the fact is that it is wholly impract-
cable to postpone the decision OF the question 1t Is
OF those cases In which not decide for Is to
X Concurrence with Christ was shown in four ways
one Is hearty concurrence Of the intellect in Christs
aud these DR.. Deems held TO be the soul, SIM duty
and God. He showed at large what Christ Thought
on all these points, what his undeniable opinion
was, that which all men differing III their thefpre
tations OF other things agreed was Chrisrs opinion
III these, ana he urged Ills hearers 10
EXAMINE THEMSELVES,
and discover whether they thoughtas Christ thought.
Then there was to be concordance In sentiment. The
affections are eIInently concerned in region. A
religion which does MOI include the heart is worth
less Jesus was an earnest lover aud hearty
hater He was no slcNy sentimentalisl. He hated
all meapness injustice. inhumanlty and sin. He loved
ali virtues in all sh pes, aud lie loved all SOULS even
the souls OF sinners and sneaks. That kind or hate
and love one must have 10 he with Christ heartily.
Then our lives 10 be shaped IKE His life. HIS
was life OF devotion to God and humanity. The
men who intend TO be with Christ must have this
unselfish conservation Above all, 1t was shown that
personal spiritual
COMMUNION WITH JESUS
was necessary and this Was SHOWN to be not mysti.
cal preence, but reality, having its counterpart In
common human in ercOmmunisn, and differs only
as Christ surpasses in humanity all other men,
Those who are against Christ were described as
those who received IN their hearts and thought In
their lives, IN their maxns IN their policy, prnci.
Piles contrary to those which Jesns Taught IL was
shown how careful all people ought 10 be to have
their opinions founded on wnat Jesus held TO be the
fundamental truth. Again, resistance to that spi-
ritual discipline which Jesus as King, prescrbes the
world is rebellion and resistance TO His spirit and
rejection OF His work as Mediator is systematic re-
OPPOSITION TO JESUS
There Is no third party In earth or eternity. The
controversy between Christ and evil covers the
whole ground OF thought aud sentiment and
actf0n; so that all men do Is for Christ
or against Him; every speech uttered, every dol
lar spent goes Tor or AGAINST Jesus. And Christ
asserts that this partisan nip opposition is active.
Gathering was explained to mean not assembling
We sometimes speak OF o congregation gathering,
but as sucks are gathered to be bound in bundle
or grain to be galnered in barn, and 'scattering
but rs meaning what one dces VINO throws seeds In
the ground. Every man is gathering sous or scat
GOOD, EASY, CARELESS MEN.
who "mean no harm" they say, go through the
world spelling the spiritual things which Christ Is
working over and beaut1yin2 and striving to save.
An appeal was made to the congregation. How can
you be neutral on such question: 1t is the cause
OF truth agains all errors the transcendant beauti
fulness of Jesus against the hdeousness or sinful.
ness Look at what Christ has been dong for the
age See what a leader he is There is nothing SO
dne,
SO GOOD. SO GRAND AS JESUS.
Why would any man nOtbe openly on his side, gath
ering the good things Of tae universe? You are not
urged to decide, you are urged To change your de-
cision, you against Christ now, and not OF third
neutral party Wheel your forces TO the side OF the
right.