The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-19
GLEASON AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN OaUCRH.

How the Rev. DR.. Duryea Would Have
HIS Flock sObtain Eternal Life"
The immense congregation which assemblies each
Sunday in the Classon avenue Presbyterian church
to catch the words Of wisdom which now from the
lips OF their learned and earnest pastor DR.. Dur
YEA availed themselves of the dne weather
yesterday to turn out In full strength. The church
itself presented a remarkably cheerful appear.
ance, the Christmas evergreens with which it was
tasteiully decorated not having yet been removed.
The text selected was the eighteenth verso Of
the eighteenth chapter OF St. LuKe-"And Ger.
tain ruler asked him. saying, Good master, what
shall do to obtain eternal life p"
The sermon preached from these words, like all
those emanating from DR.. Duryea was most ex.
ceent. The ruler referred to in the text said the
speaker, was Jew, and, like all his countrymen
OF that day, was lamentably ignorant Of spiritual
AFFAIRS. The w0rds-"Good Master"-with which
he addressed our Saviour, comprehended the en-.
tirety of his knowledge OF that which was perfect
One Of the commandments promised long life. and
this Jew probably thought that by merely keeping
this he would attain all he desired.
Here the reverend gentleman explained what
Christ meant when He asked OF the Jew why he
had called Him good. and then added that "none
endeavored to prove BY these words that Jesus
himself did not claim to be one Of the Trinity This
was wrong. Jesus did not rebuke His interrogation
God. He did not aisclaim being good; lie He only "
this he claimed that which none but God can de.
mand, ''Sell all that thou hast and distribute unto
the poor and thou shalt have treasure II heavens
After repeating all the commandments save the
first Jesus finally gave HIM that: "Thou shalt nave
no other God before me-" Here then is an answer
THIS ruler was familiar with the commandments,
and, having broken none OF them seemed to enter
tain sense OF perfect security. He had not
killed any one He had not stolen any thing He
had not committed adultery. He had not borne
honored his father and his mother. Yes, he had
kept all these commandments, but still there was
wSs Y wss but we know oaSS
that, as he had not done anything
Of Go Hs won Gpd be- Owed him
to my neighbor and ray, ''Kind sir, have lived
beside you twenty years, and during that time
met you on many dark night and did not kill you:
therefore, you owe me debt OF gratitude ?"
NO. 40 not claim anything ing ior not violating the
never violated one OF the commandments, ana yet
do not ask you to even pass series OF resolu-
ing against God but what had be done Tor Him.
what he needed to do was to love God. Jesus told
proper Interpretation should be put on these
words. 1t Is not meant that every one must sell
all he has that he may the better follow the
just and, above all else, unselnsh. Jesus knew
that while this man retained his riches he would
never save his SOUL therefore lie commanded HIM
to dispose OF them. "He who has houses aud riches
should be as though he had them not" We are CON-
manded to put away all that may In any way
stand between God and ourselves Prosperity Is
often far more severe trial than adversely, 1t
may be very well for a man to say "A never did 50
and go" No, but had you been In my place what
would you have done There Is no virtue In not
doing that which you have never had q chance to
do. Ay, verify, show hardly shall they that have
riches enter the Kingdom OF GO0.V The
severest OF all tests Is letting man have his own
way-letting him have everything he desires