The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-11
CONSIDERATION OF A NEW CHURCH.
The New Edifce OF the New York Pros.
byterfan Church.

byterfan Church.
The dedication services Of the new church build
ing of the New York Presbyterian church, in West
Eleventh street, between Sixth and Seventh ave-
nues, were begun yesterday morning and will con-
time during the week. The church at first w0r-
shipped In Franklin street and subsequently cor
ner OF Thompson and Houston streets. In Febru-
airy OF last year this building Tell The new edifce,
which cost $SOOO0 OF the rustic Italian style Of
architecture, Mr.. W. W. Wheeler being the archt-
tect The mounted bronzed Bible was designed
and presented by Captain Albert De Groot. The
present pastor Of the church is Rev. W. W. Page.
The opening sermon was delivered yesterday
morning by Rev. William Adams, d. D., President
OF Union Theological Seminary. His text was tho
eighth verse Of the twenty-sixth Psaim:-"Lord.
have loved the habtation OF thy house and the
place where tnne honor dwelleth."
The reverend gentleman said the erection Of
Christian churches by the spontaneous action OF
events marked an epoch in the history OF the
Christian religion. The early believers were &C
customed TO assemble In their own private resi-
dences ut the time the Apostles wrote and long
alter. Though Uhristlanity would stu i've lnde,
ediaces reared for her special occupancy could
antiquity decayea no others were erected in their
places, and Christianity is the only religion
Many Many lett the power Of Christian truth
who did not appreciate the impor-
In phiaSthropic enterprises they scarcely
% the s ,S IL the familiar
were born. There was 40 influence produced by
Christian churches. built for no mere temporary
within their walls. About them are gathered the
associations OF many generations. they stand
EVER POINTING TO THE SKIES,
and their voice Is .'verlly there Is God, ana
man should worship him." With good reason,
therefore. might they exchange congratulations on
projecting and completing 1t. For the first
wo ship. they were awed by the thought that
they were at the very beginning OF history winch
was TO run very lar ana continue very long, and
awed most OF ali by the thought that within those
walls great influences were to be exerted upon
human character and destiny. It was none other
than the house OF God and the gate OF heaven.
the reverend speaker referred TO the building Of
the Tabernacle, which had God for It's architect,
destruction and reconstruction. OF which it was
prophesied that "the glory OF this latter house
ton had its ulflment when our Saviour walked
and taught within IT, me ancient meth%as
sneOa SSe NO but ns rs anS
knowledge OF the glory OF God shines in the face Of
Jesus christ. Once Tor all did Christ appear, to be
seen no more Of men until revealed at the end Of
the world In the glory OF HIS omnpotence. But
was God no more to dwell with mem This would
lie dcclaI ed the Comforter would come and dwell
with men. The power OF divine manifestation was
not confined exclusively to tine house built LOT
worship, yet really and specially God manifested
Himself IN sucn q place, because erected for the
very purpose OF announcing the truth OF God. by
winch and through which He reveals the working
OF His spirit. But they attached
NO sUPEhsTIrIoUs NOTIONS
to the building they designated as the house OF
God. The religion OF Christ il spiritual III It's char.
acter, and knows no one locality II IS universe!
in time and place. God proves His presence and
His power by manifold effects wrought upon the
human soul. The salvation OF the soul, Its educa-
ton In all true goodness, It's growth IN knowledge
and grace, is the grand object proposed In all re-
ligiOus structureS-the conservation OF men TO the
great end OF their being in the light OF heavenly
union aud practical goodness. In conclusion, tho
reverend speaker, the audience rising, formally
dedicated the building to its sacred use.