The New York herald., 1875-12-01
CHRISTIANITY IN THE ORIENT.

LECTURl BY REV. N. BJERRINC, OF THE GREEK
CHURCH.
Tne sutect Of t'The Orient Church and It's Friendly
RelationAo Other Religious Bodies' was discoursed
upon last tevenng at Association Hail. The lecturer,
Rev. ~ berring Of the Greek Church, was introduced
by Rev. r. Osgood Mr. Bjerrng, blonde whiskered
gentlema, forward with a pleasant smile, and
said thathe had the honor appear through the in
vitation that had been extended to him by
different ministers OF the churches of New York.
He held that all religions, like the sun, arose
in tho hst. Christians must feel natural Gu
riosity to now what the condition to-day Of those
churches fhich received the faith early in the days
succeeding Christ. The New Testament was written
in Greek nd the early Church conducted by
Greeks, AM in point OF antiquity the Greek Church
must be cQsdered the oldest. In the little kingdom
OF Greece, in spite OF Turkish persecution in past
years. the christian religion ourishcs in all its pristine
vigor. Tn Russian Church was first regarded
child Of hGrecian In the twelfth century the whole
Russian Empire might have been called Christian The
lecturer wat into long narration Of the progress Of
Christanit in Russia, and the union effected
between the Constantinopohtan ecclesiastical
councils aid those OF Moscow resulting the present
Greek chuch. The present Russian Church has
81 900 600 hembers The coistered order of priests
has the pivilege of selecting the higher digntaries
of the Chtch The parish priests may be married.
but nonllowed to marry second time The most
celebrated Holsters those Of Moscow and St Peters
burg
THE sHuRcH LIFE OF THE RUSSIAN NATION
is admired by all those who have an opportunity OF
observing The churches open to the dovotees
at all houraof the day, and the ceremonies are con-
Quoted in slendid FORM The great feast of Russia is
Easter Cqtinuous divine services prevail during the
whole Of E$ter week. Every one prepares himself in
his best drds if for great visitor At night the
people crogd the churches, and at the stroke
Of twelve all the bells resound at once.
The orthod1 Christian never sits down to his meals
without saying his prayers. The Oriental Christian
never move into new house without sanctitying IL
with the blessings OF the clergy. In the matter of
which reformed forty days after the birth of tho
child In Russia the custom exists of bringing
children u communion at Easter Marriage is
very hight esteemed by the Russians, aud Is
the bride ah bridegroom attend communion before
marriage the Oriental churches the great thing OF
the nothingess of life is kept prominent The ccre-
mony of ntrment is simple and the most important
events in thl
LIE OF AN ORIENTAL CHRISTIAN,
BIRTH marrige and death, are intertwined with his
church lie. The turges used in the Oriental Church
are those St. Basil and ST Chrysostom. With the
general awkening of the Russian people under
the preset Emperor, Alexander, the Church
also awakeed and in the fruits the Church
has produce there great hope that the Russia OF the
future will Mt fail to show to the world condition OF
Christian ptity and progress that the world will not
fail to obsere Mr.. Bjerrng said that his object IN
lecturing We not TO make proseytes, but TO effect
union OF all he Christian Churches II was the dream
OF many buhe hoped to see in his lifetime tho reaza
tion Of thi hope and as he cast his eye toward
the future 1e saw the nations coming together
and shakinglands under the banner of Jesus Christ
Substantial unity, and not uniformity, what he
desired. Le the different churches come together and
let each ret its distinctive national popularity, and
| let nothing bf technical character keep the
divided Chrtan communions separated any longer.
| He closed bi bithanking his brethren OF the Anglican
churches lorthe kindness with which they tre.ted
/ him.