The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-22
ORTHODOX GREEK CHURCH.


Tho Immortality Of tho SOul frOra the stand.
point OF Science and Philosophy, Reason
and 1t cliaion-Sermon by Rev. N. Bjerring.
As many as could be comfortably accom- modated
assembled In the Greek chapel, In Second avenue,
yesterday morning, to whom the Rev. Mr.. Bjerring
expounded the philosophc idea OF the souls lm.
mortality. He Knocked away some Of the props
upon which materialists sustain their humiliation
theories Previous TO tho delivery Of the sermon
several children were received into the church, to
whom the holy communion in both kinds was ad-
mnstered. Father Bjerring then spoke subslan.
TALLY as follows. lie said:-ln science, as well as
In practical life the Christian spirit Is obliged to.
day again to combat
HEATBENIsM REJUvENArED
in new forms. Particularly Is this the case where the
question Is raised Of natural philosophy. Theories
are raised that not only deny the personal immOr-
tally OF the soul, but also assert the declaration
that mon arc derived from the ape. Yet such men
spostate from Christ anity. Men who walk the ways
OF the lost son IN the Gospel may turn away from
the sun Of truth and give themselves to the binding
lustre OF sefreant Goddess reason. we believe in
the divine revelation Of Christianity; we have faith
In the personal Immortality OF the soul. However
much we may rejoice IN all that intellect and mind
achieve Oh their courses. 1t Is yet our Utmost c0nyic
ton that tile eagle flight OF true wisdom Is
not stopped or hindered by subsection to
Christianity. Is II, perhaps, to dishonor the
MIND to forbid Ii to confound itself with the mate.
rlal' Is 1t to dishonor the soul TO acknowledge Its
mmortaityi Certainly not. VIII the ape theory
make man more noble, more moral? WIN this
teaching DC more beatilc than that which Christian.
ity announcesY No thousand times no
TIGERS IN HUMAN FORM,
as the scenes OF terror In Paris shown usthese
are the fruits OF materalls. WIN the grace Oh God
beloved, am resolved to address you to-day OH the
all on the cross bless my words said the reverend
father. II the soul dies with the body, he remarked,
Morals In the rapid hight Of lie the moments Of
pleasure are precious n our existence ~ limited
very o @ aocrne that
MES the Immortality OF the soul. Experience
CORPORAL SUBSTANCES ARE NOT ANNIHILArRD,
but that they change from one state OF being into
another. When the plant dies it continues IN the
| parts scatter themselves into new combinations.
Sorp0rai substances. then 60 through circle OF
the two oeings Is the most nobIe-a particle without
VIII, Without Thought, without feeling, or an IN
the Sss nu SepaS SHd OF eyns an
a T,s above all things It's Creator
Then, mat Tue soul Is not immortal attempts TO turn
The order Of the world upside down. because IL as.
sumes tnat Goa preserves that which is inactive and
and ful OF uie. Man has an innate desire after
immortality and this desire cannot be satisfied with
o life which ends here. But If the soul dies with
| the body then desire has peen gwen 70 IA taa
grattfcatOn and satisfaction OF which IL utterly
Impossible. Sucn an Idea Is contrary TO the good
ness aud wisdom Of Cod. Ii Is replied thar M iHis
| life we aspire after many things that cannot he
| the goodness and wisdom Of Coo. 10 this sophIsfrv
we may answer that every one, the virtuous or The
vicious, he vino walks the straight and narrow way
or he who treads the broad road have equal desires
| after happiness. IN the other life we lind their
| iuinlment inasmuch as they are good H. then our
wishes In this life are not satisfied we cannot rightly
complain against God, fOrasmuch as
| THIS WORLD Is NOT OUR HOME,
| nor this lie our goal. We are pilgrims and stran.
| gers here, travelling to better country, and In
| order 70 arrive there we must cneerfuy and pa
ever The soul with the body, then our mortal NE
Is continual deusion, our existence paradox. but
thanks be TO God IL IL impossible 10 deprive the soul
or the idea OF It's immortality. And said the priest,
sarcascally, this inefable longing Is given US only
| 80 be beautiful deception, In order that we may
| sink al last into eternal notningnessl No; such
thoughts lead only TO denial OF the Providence OF
God and are the origin OF atheism. The greater part
! OF mankind are little occupied with such IDEAS rs
| form tue JOY OF life devoted To contemplation.
Jney are TOO much engr0ssed with the business and
the cares OF lie 10 give time to the mysteries OF re-
| liQion and philosophy. small portion only OF the
pIoyed. And OF what avail is this capital OF tntei
Rence and moral power II tue sours existence ends
hereY
THE DESTINY or MANKIND on EARTH
cannot solve the mystery OF lie If our lie ends with
the death OF the body. The human race mas
achieved great things and will achieve yet greater
but of what avail are they this life unes not itsel
with the futurcS Look al history. CIVILIZATION pro
dresses from ceotrV to century out what oietplez