The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-02
CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST.

Whttsunday Conn n ora ted-SermOn by
the Rev. DIR. w. Kirkus-Thc Signifi-
canoe OF the Anniversary OF the Birth
of the Christian Church.
Yesterday being Whitsunday-the day on which
the Holy Ghost descended on the Apostles and i'm
bued them with that spirit of truth and religion by
which they were enabled to Kindle the unquench-
able fire OF Christian faith in the souls OF men-was
very appropriately and devoutly celebrated in the
Protestant Episcopal Church OF st. John the Bap
list. Lexington avenue and Thirty-nth street.
About two hundred children presented pretty
appearance in the interior OF the church, and with
a number of the older members OF the congrega-
ton, pirtook OF the Lords Supper during the
services.
THE SERMON
was preached by the Rev. W. Kirkus, LIB, q
minister 81 the Church o. England, who fills the
place OF the rector during a brief absence. He
chose his text from st. John, XVII. IL, Al have
got many things to say unto you, but you cannot
hear them now. When the spirit OF truth is come
He will guide you unto the TRUTH
The reverend gentleman said that the text was
part Of the promise which Christ made TO His Apos-
ties previous to Mis- ascension, when He told them
lie would send tnem the Paraclete who should
teach them all things ana ablae with them for
ever. These words were indicative OF what was
to follow after the ascension and foretold
III an impressive manner the basis on which
Jesus was TO establish Ills Church. IL was prom
ise when contained a new promise; for on WHIT
sunday there came down upon the Disciples the
spirit Of TRUTH as If by rushing OF mighty wind,
and they began to speak as II by tongues OF re 1t
was God That was making Ills choice OF them that
they might perform His work. Their tongues were
FIERY TONGUES;
their words were words OF wisdom and OF instruc-
tlon, that ali nations might hear the Gospel in
their own language.
The day conlmemorated the birth OF the Christian
Church, when fresh light impaired TO the
world through that mysterious light given 10 the
Apostles. The Church was founded, disciplined
and governed. IL continued TO grow ex-
tend and flourish through trials and perse.
cutions The compliant was often raised that
its members had introduced forms not m accord.
ance with its early simplicity, such as eccesiasti-
cal psty, rituals liturgy. ceremonies. slsternoods
and hierarcnies. and the question was asked what
authority Is there for them in the HOLY scriptures
The answer Is that IN substance all these are
from the beginning, and Christ is
THE CHIEF CORNER STONE
OF them ALL They were IN usage among the
jews These customs were changed by the Chris
tians. The scripture text, moreover, accounts for
them. ale shall show you the things that are to
come and He shall lead you unto the truth and the
truth snail make you free.n
The reverend preacher here showed the great
difficulties Christianity mad TO contend with at It's
orign-the impiety OF false teachers, the
theories OF sophists, pagans and philosophers;
the cruel prosecutions OF the Roman Emperors. the
shallow belief OF many Christians and the counter.
acting influences Of Judaism, Mahometanism and
parDarlansm, but by It's wise p0lity and the action
OF It's preates in council assembled it trampled
over all, raised the personal dignity OF man by
ea,ng nim lne idea OF his destiny, liberated the
slave, crushed the prevailing crimes OF the age,
ehnoped woman and established the one bond OF
marriage by which the social tie OF humanity was
W nc ior ever reserved and held sacred.
BESIDES, there was inculcated that new command
ment,
"IovE oNE ANoTuERn
Conspicuously In the earliest age OF the Church di
the disciples OF Christ cling to this commandment
ana by its propagation dispelcd all hatred and
created new phase In society How much better
the condition Of society to-day than then But
those who were baptized to them were preached
those words, "Your bodies are the temples OF the
Holy Ghost" and II was by those words OF eternal
intArAss ~ al that parents came to love ther ch