The New York herald., 1876-08-14
Miss Anna Oliver on "0ur Shepherd and
Ills Care
THE PUBLICAN AND THE PiIARISEE.
Rev. DR.. Baird, Of Syracuse, on
"Christ's Ministry"
SERVICES At THE CHURCH OF THE STRANGERS.
CHURCH OF THE STRANGERS.

CHURCH OF IuE SlkANGEhS.
LOVE AND NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. BY DIR.
DEEMS
very large congregation assembled IN this church
yesterday morning, and Or. Deems preached from a
text derived from st. John XXI l7:-''simon, Of
Jonas lowest thou NOR" The preacher said:l think,
dear brethren, may consider ono point settled
forever. II that the Lord, who suffered
SO much for u.s. would Injure the feelings
OF any human being unless il was necessary for such
PERSONS own good Yet here We have instance
where Jesus knowingly and purposely wounded the
feelings OF Simon. Why did He do so? Was it for
smons good Yes; Simon had denied Hun after
swearing the utmost fidelity. But he aitcrward wept
bitterly and shed of sincere repentance for his
treason. Christ risen from the dead and had
brcakiastcd upon the beach with tho disciples
lie could not go away from Simon without making
this matter right, and to do SO He must wound his
feelings. He knew Simon loved him, but He must
give the semblance Of a doubt in His mind Some
people think that to be Christian is avoid hurting
the feelings Of others at all times This is mistaken
ldea Tho truest Christian he who Will hesitate
10 wound his fellows when becomes necessary, but
who this with the greatest tenderness. No matter
how much it hurt Peters feelings Christ do the
right and leave example for the world. But mark
ihe dccacy Of this great surgeon. After eating of the
ish Hc turns his toward his former follower, and
Kindly says him. ''Simon, of Jonas, lowest thou
me'" There weak scntmentality about the
Saviour. but there was Infinite tenderness. Hc know
Just where when and how to strike. See how Simon
answered Him; how the words reached his heart He
said, Thou knowcst | love Tnec." Whore is that
gushing Peter, who hau sworn his love so
strongly few days before? Ho is now very
humble man. WHAT Master have we brethren
What practical lessons may we learn from question
which He put twice to His apostle In the first place
II proves His undoubtcd love tor us. Often
sha hos. uI
when In fact 1t is that must render affection
Him-His love was gwen to US long since. lie wants
only hearts; He wants only love. Never do you
go woong; while He you give your affections
TO HIM. Who can stand before such love when 1t is
rowned with all goodness and excellence? Who can
resist the love OF the Lordy
Another inference may draw from the story Of
tho tex: He wants the avowal OF love just
want friends to give occasionally proof OF their
affection for How often do little children Chamber
upon their mothers lap and ask, "Mamma. do you
love mef" Tho fond parent replies. MY child, you
know love you" ''rhen why don't you say SO some
times ~ Jonathan made DAVID swear his love u him
the second time so sweet It him to hear the
repetition. SO Jesus asks the avowal OF our ove
to Him, not because he doubts affection, but
because II is right We should declare IL II my men,
ory right lie nevor catcchized HIS follower
about their love until after He suffered the agoncs
Of the The substance of His culture bad been
TO teach them obedience to the Father and love
another For the first tmo Ho calls out. "Si-
mOn Of Jonas, lowest thou me Y Never until His
this question Never t,Il lie died for us did He de-
mand An admission OF our love- Some preachers say,
Don't tcnch people to love Christ merely for what
He has cone tor them Talk TO them OF His goodness,
His mercy. His mighty power and majesty. Teach
them to love Him for these things, Tor ii'msclf"
Now this Is all very nne You preach thus scraphs
but don't preach in such = manner to Inc, poor hu-
man being. Angels and archanrels may shout around
mighty - But there is ano,hcr throng upon one side,
who sing, 'Worthy is the lamb, for He was slain for
us" Another truth is set forth In the
portant thing. Dear as our love is to Jesus,
Il is indispensable tor US and salvation.
No religion without IT, You may give your
millions colleges and churches the poor; you
may work good deeds among the low and simple, but
II your heart not filled with l0vc for Jesus II
will avail you little Simon Peters answer, "Thou
knowsst love thee " was full OF real and bitter
ycniance Tor his sins; Such feeling must move us
when wc come TO God That We should have been
capable Of wounding His great heart should overwhcm
with bitter moruncation.
A lew bcnonclal inierenccs may bc drawn from
PETERS, reply. IL outspoken display Of
vigorous honesty We lose much oil the beauty Il this
conversation between the Saviour and SIMON by the
IAanslaiion. In the Greek language the terms
ploy more discrim NATIVE and convey fuller
meaning The word used 10 express "love IN Simon's
reply means by literal transiatIon 'love from tho
bottom Of the heart" Simon could not have spoken
shus did he not know that his love was
was meant convey the meaning OF love which
amounted to the strongest passion lie clt the shame
Of his denial OF his Lord, and his heart filled with
humility and contrition. What difference between
this apostle and Judas! The latter filed with
despair the former with grief oil heart Judas went
ana straRgied himself to death. simon was sorry
aud full OF grief that nc could only weep bitterly He
had not time to think of suicide We may sec here
sreat distinction between the characters OF these two
men. When, therefore, simon answered the query OF
Jcsus he did so humbIy ana sincerely and upon the
third asking OF the question ''simon. son OF Jonas.
lowest thou me 2" he replied, 'Lord, thou knowcst all
hearts, thou knowest that love thee IL Is great
injury to the Church and 10 Christianity to suppose
that when people become members OF the Church they
expected be free from future sin Does not God
know weakness and does be not understand thc
force OF temptalicnY jesus knew thai though
Simon had wisnged Him he yet rcpcnled imnco lately
siterward, and the Kind manner OF the saviour
toward him, shown in the text is In
dicatvc Of tho abundance Of his mercy
Tor those who really try 10 DO His will, and
conceal not their love. In conclusion the preacher
sad --Truc love brings sinner back TO the feet OF
Jesus There be pure religion earth,
pleasure IN heaven above, without Jesus Christ. He
II the soul and HE OF all Men may stand imperial m
their ntcIccts, grand IN their acnevcmcnts, great
among their fellows, their fortunes, Ike their minds,
may be ample and extensive. put whoever they are,
their strength avail but little without simple faith
in .hc Saviour A may gather his millions; but
docs nc not also gather the more precious treasure OF
salvation he s poor indeed He may have hosts Of
friends aud LOFTY position In sOcley he may go TO
his grave almost hearing the beginning o the praises
that 10 follow his exit, eternity, such
thing possible, pour the wealth into his lap that
earth before has done yet. love his heart