The New York herald., 1873-12-29
ST. THONAs' CHURCH.

Its disinterested service.
ST. TH0LIAs' CHURCH.
The semi-CentenniaI Jubilce-The Order
or Exercises-The sermon Of Right Rev.
William f. Odenheimer-Tho Past and
Future Work OF the Church-A Plea
for Christian characterization and
Scientific Discoveries In Harmony.
The closing exercises OF the semicentennial
jubilee OF st. Thomas church. Fifth avenue, corner
OF Fity-thrd street, took place yesterday in con-
nection with Holy Inn0cents' Day and first Sunday
after Christmas. The morning service took place
at half-past ten O'Clock, in accordance with the
following programme: professional, Hymn No.
ITO Of the Hymnal, by Wesley commencing
Glory to Thee. Lordl
'venite,r by Tails; '.Te Deum Laudamus'' and
"Jubllate Deo," anthems in B nat, by Corfe, A. D.
1740; Introt-Psalm will, l, 2, and 8; Mar
cello; ''Kyrie and Gloria Tibi." Gounod; Hymn
2O2 of the Hymnal Wesley; Sermon, by Right
Rev. William II. Odenheimer, D. D., Bishop OF New
Jersey; Ascription-"Halleja Chorus (Messiah),
Handel; Offertory "Thou Shalt Love the Lord"
Qrom ELY, Costa; Observation-Disclosures and
Besi" Arison.
The Sunday school festival took place at half.
past three p. NJ, at which were given a great
variety of music and number OF addresses Gifts
were also distributed to the children.
THE SERMON.
After the morning service the Right Reverend
Bishop Odenhetmer announced his text from Rev.
e1ations iii, s:-'I know thy works. behold have
set before thee al open door, and no man can
shutit." He said next to the places connected
with the birth and minstrations OF our Saviour
the rocky isle OF Patmos is OF interest to the
Christian. There where the beloved John saw the
seven golden candlesticks and, in the midst, one
like unto the Son of Man where could be heard
the great heart of the Redeemer beating against
the heart of the Church, the only centre Of unity
He had selected the words of the text as appropri
ate to the occasion when the work OF the Church
in the past Is to be considered and that OF the fu
ture foreshadowed. The Church OF st. Thomas was
founded In 1923, and the first church edifce was
erected in 1924. To quote the language OF your
rector in : -ecent sermon upon this subject. ar
was founded by men ~ wisoom ana forecast, who
renown OF the city," 1t may be doubted
II any church has enjoyed a greater show OF pros.
perlty, and when remember the great advance.
ment In temporal and spiritual matters, fifty rep
resented by this elegant temple in which you wor-
snip am almost overwhelmed by the grandeur of
the situation. After erecting an edince, which was
destroyed, you have rebuilt and to-day celebrate
your scm-centennial amid everything which de-
notes that advancement. There mad been, during
the so years OF the church,s existence some six
rectors, ana from them and Bishop Ravenstraw,
at the head OF the diocese in 1928, the apos-
toc succession, mad EXTENDED until 1t covered
the whole land Taxing the career OF ST. Thomas
church as representative onc the right reverend
gentleman then expatlated at large on the growth
OF tho Church in the United States-a legitimate
development growing out or 3 living loving, work.
ing lath in Jesus The heart flied with the love OF
Christ must pray and preach, and give and build
and that will he satisfied with nothing but the
best that is attainabe II is that perect love which
may be exemplined IN the giving Of the Widows
mite the
BUILDING OF A CATHEDRAL.
With this advancement and prosperity has been
developed love OF architecture and ornament so
great to cause tears that the Church Is drifting
from her moorings OF true religion. 1t is recorded
temple were LAID many OF the priests and chief OF
the fathers who had seen the foundation OF the
other hand the younger ones shouted Tor joy, so
that the people could not distinguish the noise Of
the weeping from that caused by the shouts OF
jog. The tears OF the fathers in those days were
caused by the poverty OF the temple, while now
they weep OH account OF the magnifcence dis
played. The speaker thought that the progress of
the Church. however justified the erection OF such
edaces as the one taey now occnpeda sign OF
A review OF the last hall century afforded every
hope and announcement Tor the future, and that
In the great and final jubilee they should be met
with the words from the great King OF kings. II
know thy works" The Blsnop then proceeded to
consider the
FUTURE WORK OF THE CHURCH.
~ havh SET before thee an open door and no
gcoa @ work performed, and on the other the larger
work tor Christ. The fruitful vine Is watched and
trimmed that 1t may bear increased fruit Apply
this TO the Church, standing upon the high
parochial eminence you occupy, and you will see
that continued and more earnest evangelical
preaching and praying and labor are required.
Whatever appliances have been ascertaned to re-
dound to the salvation OF souls, those the Church
should have. The services OF the sanctuary, the
noly sacrament. the hours OF secret prayer constl-
tute q door which the Divine Sufferer opens. In
all the parochial appliances, In the sunday ana
reformat0ry Schools in the missiohs and hospitals
IL found an open door which no man can shut In the
record Of the past is found your right to appro-
pirate this open door, Speaking OF the work which
lay before the Church IN general throughout the
world, he said the earth contains population OF
1200 000, coo, 700 600 600 OF which know not Christ.
With these figures before us is demonstrated the
absolute necessity OF the Church putting ON her
missionary life-tRat Church to whom II was said,
go We into all the world and preach the Gospel TO
every creature" This IL the very essence OF her
mission on earth. The right reverend gentleman,
in touching upon the subject OF y
CHRISTIAN UNITY,
SAID the world, as well as well as the Church, is
looking for this We have all felt that unless Ior
should be laid aside except what Is recognized as
the cardinal principles OF tho faith upon whcn our
this branch were extended and earnest urging that
all evangelical Christians should-aS did that
grand old Blsnop OF Germany y'-take stand IN
favor OF tins unity. He then passed on to consider
another work OF the Church In THIS day-namely,
the harmonlzing the words OF Revelation with
THE DISCOVERIES or SCIENCE.
The enthusiastic Christian shall not stand In the
way of truth. There Is a necessity Tor higher
standard OF Biblical research. rhat Will be the
church OF the uture which shah fearlessly enter
Biblical and scientific investigation, satsii that
rightly understood, the two Will harmonizc
Another work Is to defend the human and divine
nature oil Christ against the assaults or Antichrist
so prevalent In this day. lie closed with urging
| upon bis hearers more earnesiness In the per-
formancc OF their duties as Christians, larger
sympathy with hum0n suffering and stronger
| emphasis In combating the unbeiel oil this era.