The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-08
CECaCH OF The SIRaNC IRIS.
Noble AcI of Commodore VaEderbiIt-Keep-
ing in the Love of God--SerunOn by the Rev.
DR..

A Noble AcI of Commodore VaEderbit-Neep-
ing in the Love of God--Sermou by the Rev.
Dr. Deems.
For two years the Church Of the Strangers has
been worshippng IN the large chapel OF the Univer-
slty. Dr. Deems succeeding his friend Dr. Hawks in
the occupancy OF that chapel. The Church OF The
Strangers is undenominational and unsectaran; q
Christian chur Oh. requiring only faith In Christ and
good living for membership. some time since the
board Of trustees, thinking the chapel not exactly
adequate 10 the wants of the congregation decided
to purchase the Mercer street Presbyterian church
for the sum OF $4,000 July 81 was the day for the
purchase when Commodore Vanderbilt came for
ward and placed IN the hands OF Or. Deems certi-
he'd certificate OF deposit for that amount, made
payable to the Doctor with the understanding on
The part Of Mr.. Vanderbilt that IL should be applied
to The purchase OF the property 1t is proper 10 add
That this was
SPONTANEOUS OFFER
ON the part OF the commodore without the slightest
mint or solicitation on the part OF either DR.. Deems
or any member OF his church.
THIS 49, indeed most noble act on the part of Mr..
Vanderbilt, and long after The bronze statue
over the Hudson River Railroad depot may have
been melted down TO make other monuments, his
toy WIZ perpetuate the fact that Cornelius Wander
Dill gave church 10 a congregation representing
no sect but the large and catholic religion OF Jesus
Al ne service yesterday there was large congre-
Ratlon, many oil whom were strangers. Dr., Deems
preached IRON the twenty-irst OF the eplstie
OF jude de said that preachers ought to preach to
abe heart. Paul has said with the heaTr man
believes unto righteousnessu IL was q philosophical
statement Every man knows that more OF his
errors spring from his heart than from his head.
Me9 strive so much TO keep their heads right
toward God instead OF their hearts. You never can
comprehend God with your head; you NAV aopre.
hend linn with your heart.
The love OF God IN the text does not mean our
love for God, but His for rs. We are not here ex.
horted 10 keep ourselves In the power OF God or in
the wisdom or Cod but IN HIS love. There is no I'M
provement to the moral character from the power
nor from the wisdom OF God; but there is from His
love- To be Kept in His power is TO feet ones self
IN THE GIGANTIC HANDS
which may close and crush US. To be kept In HIS
wisdom Is 10 be anoat on shoreess and iathomess
sea, over which temDests unaccountably burst
When we keep ourselves in His love we feel that
Amigbtiness IL harmless, ana no longer be-.
wldered by the tneasureess wisdom OF the Infinite
Love guides competence and renders solutions to
the puzzles which omnisclence seems TO present
10 us.
We keep ourselves in Gods love for us by &C.
hvity, by prayer. by hope. The Apostle says
..Buildlng up yourselves on your most holy faith"
Here Is active Christian life. II your sense OF the
love OF God has grown feeble perhaps 1t Is because
you nave been so engaged about other things that
your structure OF character has been lying Idle, and
when you come back you see the work unfinished
You blame God. You say, .He does not love men
Yes he does But he does love your idleness and
never does for you what you can do for yourself
"PRAYING IN THE HOLY GHOsT.n
All tender communion between lQYe5s deepel me