The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-23
DIR. HALLS CHURCH.

Sermon by the Rev. DIR. Imbric, of
Jersey City-The Nature OF Christ and
OF Ais Help to Humanity.
The warm Summer days are gradually drawing
people away to the country and thinning the con-
gregations OF our fashionable churches. In the alb.
sence of DR.. Hall, now travelling In Europe, the
sermon was preached by Ihe Rev. DR.. Imbrlc, Of
Jersey City, The text was taken from Titus H.,
xlv:-"who gave himself for us, that He might re-
deem us from all iniqulty and purify unto Himself
o peculiar people. jealous OF good works."
The reverend Doctor began by stating the cir
cumstances under which the text was given. Titus
was called to preach among the Cretans, whose
character was represented as extremely bad, and
who also were troubled with misleading teachers
an i'll soil with i'll seed sown upon it. The apostle
urges Titus to meet the case first by intoxicating
sound doctrines, and, secondly, by seeing that the
lives Of Christian professors were pure and holy /;
hence his instructions to the various classes OF
men, In the text he gives q reason for this,
namely, that Christianity which Titus was to
preach, was no new philosophy or humanity devised
scheme OF renovation but an entirely new heaven
sent principle, and was distinguished by these
three particulars First that
CHRISTIAN MORALITY is SUPERIOR
to the morality OF the Notwithstanding US that
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should
live soberly, righteously, godly in this present
peculiar hopeaIookne for that blessed hone. = he
glorious appearing OF the great God our Saviour
Jesus Christi Thirdly, that the source OF this
man himself, but outside OF man, in the God who
created and redeemed him, 'who gave Himself Tor
us that He might redeem US from all iniquity, and
purify us unto Himself peculiar people, jealous
In discussing this point, which was the burden Of
the sermon, the preacher showed that men every
where, as well as the Christian Church, were con-
scious of evil and desired and aimed at reforms
both in themselves and also in society at large;
the distinction being that outside OF Christianity
human schemes OF reform have been sought in the
resources of man himself, whereas Christianity
alone points for tue solution Of the problem to
A DELvERER OTHER THAN MAN HIMSELF.
This is afsrmed in the text; we are saved not by
endeavors; but as the text declares, he gave Him
self for u.s. that He might deliver us from all
iniquty and that IL He might might. purity u.s.
human nature climbing laborously up hopeless pis
arm reaching down to earth, and OF Its own grace
and power raising up the ruined man to peace and
to wnn his but Il eDs Voice Of
the son OF God calling forth the dead Lazarus to
Next, Christianity presents as peculiar the Being
by whom this is accomplished Here the preacher
showed that the who" In the text points TO the
preceding verse, which reveals the unique character
of the Being who saves lost man. He is described,
first, as the great God; secondly, by his human
name Jesus; and thirdly by His official name, the
nor man alone, the wonder OF the universe, whom
Chris tianiry reveals as
THE PECULIAR AND ONLY REDEEMER
from human sin and misery. Third, Christianity
presents as peculiar the mode In which this Being
says, who gave Himself for US that He might re-
deem u.s. &C., &c. IL Is the actual devotion OF all
the powers OF this unique Being for the accom-
plshnent of this work. He gave Himself for us;
ng Of s.for p u.s.. Christianity does AH' not
cry to the he. restless, sin sinful, degraded human
voted and you viii succeed In overcoming sin and
loving God'-the vain cry OF the worlds schemes
Tor renovation the world over, and which is ever
answered by the pitiabe response OF the
helpless soul that he cannot make It's unloving
heart love GSd.o1t on the ne, contrary, Christianity
place; He goes forth as the victor Tor man, He
conquers death and hell and sin and metes the
and gives 1t peace by His word and lie rs1ews 1t
by the mighty power OF His spirit.
oHR asSs Nifty AREsESrs Is PECULIAR RESULT.
Man, thus redeemed, is raised TO the highest dig.
nifty and devotion to God, made a peculiar people
showed rom M the light Of Scripture that
human beings redeemed from sin are ex-
a asfd devotion beyond span
OF angels; redeemed sinners are Gods peculiar
treasure In the close Of his discourse the preacher
personal and applied 70 those who are seeking,
and never finding rest The difficulty was as he
showed, that they tailed to apprehend this pecu-
arity Of the Christian scheme, that 1t places our
help
ENTIRELY OUTSIDE OF OURSELVES,
and in the hands OF the Son OF God. The second
was caution TO the Christian Church against COM
plying with the custom OF the times IN joining
with the world In carrying on moral reforms to-
gether' To do so, he showed, Is to risk laying the
glory OF Christianity IN the dust First, because
their aims are so distinct, the worlds reforms
seek only outside renovation; Christianity con-
siders no reform OF worth which does not reach
the heart; and, secondly, because the bower relied
upon in the two cases Is so dnercnt. The worlds
reforms are based upon the belief In mans power
TO renovate himself Christianity, on the contrary,
the incarnate Son OF God alone. How can these
two agree together and working into each others
hands9 Some compromise must be effected, and
that compromise will be not by the world resign
ing its distinctive principle OF REFORM but by Chris
tians renouncing the foundation principle OF the
Christian scheme. This has ever been the result
The speaker therefore entreated the Christian
70 alide fhase digfincfiye