The New York herald., 1874-08-31
CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY.

How the Followers of Christ Camo To
BE Called dChristians-Sermon by the
Rev. stephen II. Tying. Jr., ID. ID.
The clty's fashionables nocking homeward
now that the time prescribed by fashion has ar
rived for the closing OF seaside hotels and summer
resorts, and those who constitute themselves sat-
elites OF the upper ten thousand need not now
fear to be seen on the avenue or worshipping at
the leading churches. To Judge from the immense
throng at the Church Of the Holy Trinity, corner
Forty-second street and Madison avenue, yester-
day morning, one would think that a large dele.
CATION from the beau monde had re-
turned to the city. The commencing ex-
ercises at this church are unusually long,
and would be almost tedious were it
not for the delicious sprinklipg of really good
music. The subject to be deduced from the dis
course which the Rev. stephen II. Tying. Jr., D. D.,
delivered is show the Followers of Christ Came
To Be Called Christians" and he based 1t upon the
text Acts H., 26-"And the disciples were called
Christians first in Antioch" Antioch was
strange place Tor the baptism Of the infant Church.
the y0uthfut preacher began. This infant Church
was Identified as having relationship with the
Church OF the Messiah, and was allied to IT, This
name Christian" which was first applied at An
roch to all those who expressed o belief in Christ,
was hrst given In ridicule Dut 1t neverthe-
less found its way to heaven. The ridicule
OF Antioch describes the character Of the redeemed.
That this name was not self-given is quite clear.
The Apostles call themselves by different name
In their records. In but three passages DO we md
the term Christian applied to them The first
occurs in the scene between the Apostle Paul and
King Agrippa, when the Pagan king called Paul a
Christian IN derislOn; the second Is one where
1t was empOyed as name which meant popular
contempt, and the third In the lSt Epstle OF Peter
The apostle knew the evil speaking OF the worlo.
1t was only when the Gentiles began TO ally them
selves with this institution that the Romans we're
annoyed Christ was the anOinted IN all their
creeds but Jesus did not come up to their pro-
with faithful tenacity to the fortunes Of the cru
CITED Christ
THE EARLY CHRISTIANS
were so called for the principles OF their allegiance
to Christ first IN Antioch. This word which now
signifies so much that Is noble and pure was
the scorn Of the Gentiles who calls himself Chris
tian9 Here are people who are said to be born in
q Christian country. IL was discriminating title.
Here are men ana women who observe the virtual
institutions OF the Christian Church. Are these
people sta e ye Genies M ana Judges Of
whom they thus designate. was something not
visible This great peculiarly was was earnest,
idea claims partnership IN the office
OF Christ. The peculiarity OF these early Christians
OF Christ were manifested mostly In the days npon
earth when He performed His miracles. These
were all manifestations OF Els official presence as
Christ The Apostles knew more about His man.
hood than they did OF HIS Messiahship. His good
works and purity O LIE were palmer to their COM
prehens1On than His divine mission. In the midst
Of great distress they acknowledged their belief,
and the severest torture, even death, could not
make them forsake what they considered the
true faith. However buneted or beset by the
waves OF paganism ami persecution they chung to
their great leader and never once forsOok his
banner This Is what excited the wrath Of the
Gentiles They so Identified themselves with the
holier sphere. II thy sins daily claim pardon
through the divine lntercessiOn OF Christ, and II
through thy conscious weakness thou lean heavily
q
to the Antioch TITLE He who has any rela
tlon TO Jesus has participation in the
Of ns The VINO
the times and trlumphs OF Christ as assurances
OF his own future. This, my friends, Is being a
Christian; this is 20 enter into the iulness OF the
privileges which were promised at the beginning
OF the world. Our blackness Is still ackno wledged
before God, but our comeliness Is also seen. This
is what excited Roman wrath One more Pc
the presence OF Jesus Christ They sang songs
OF praise 10 Him as though He was IN their midst
Jesus Christ was peculiar person, continually
present In the association OF
THE ANTIOCH CHURCH.
Even after the crucifXon OF the saviour, they re-
cogn1Zed Him as an individual presence. What we
need now Is not machinery; what we need ts .
recognition OF Christ, verify and indeed present.
Oh, tnat our doubts could be dispelled. This is the
only experience which can excite our enthusiasm.
faith which sees Christ Is one which is to
to the spirit OF Antioch, the nearer we come
to the meaning OF our name. We have
seen that the title was not given them by them
selves, not by Jesus, but by the Romans. l ask
Antioch9 BE not content with mere external
faith. so come TO thee to-day, brother. l have
heart sins that must be forgiven and inflrmities
Christ In his oicers as well as in the charm OF HIS
personal presence Be q Christian, for the Chris
tian is a participation in the divine future