The New York herald., 1876-10-02
ST. MARKS CHURCH.

ST. Marks CHURCH.
IN REMEMBRANCE OF MK-sERMoN DY REV. j.
H. RYLAHcE.
At this church yesterday morning communion SER
vice solcmnized. rector, Rev. J. II. Ryancc
! officiating. The text for tho sermon from first
cpslle of Paul to tho Corinthians XII, rs and 26 =
This do ye In mcmbrance OF me: for often as ye
cat this bread, and drink this cup yc do show the
Lords death till he come" After referring TO the
past OF recreation and the ragathcrng Of his
congregation in tho city tho preacher said d:--Abovc
all other duties and obligations Of tho Christian religion
the feast OF communion IS important II is the express
institution of Jesus HIMSELF to bo solcmny observed
| by all vino profess His name Yet the Lords Supper
is not arbitrary rito; It is given boon those
who would bo near the Master 1t Is provided to
stimulate the mind vivid appreciation of the
death Of Christ act whose magnitude OF mercy and
1--we liable in a TO forget. The Saviour
ordained IN bis religion two institutions which
be observed above all Others These the rite OF
baptism and tho cucharstic feast. Both are synony
mousbap,ism of the beginning OF lifo Of grace and
tho feast OF the sustenance and growth OF the It
enough that the truth OF the latter should bo
proclaimed with Others to the people, but It also
to be embodied in institution, SO that the memory
OF Chrst's death was to remain. Preachers
tc tho story Of me pu. = IS wnen wo knee
strongly the sacredncss Of tho e-ent and
Know that it was more than the death Of
mc.n And.st Paul has further interpreted, ''For
often as We cat this bread and drink his cup, 70 do
| show forth tho Lords death" We might well re-
fuse 10 believe the doctrines Of Jesus 10 decline to
honor tho communion How much OF time do
| spend vain pursuits? How important to
many OF tho secular works we have to perform? How
| deadcning to spiritual lilo is the effect Of these
grossmcnts and how necessary our Sunday worship
TO keep alive within the feeble flame Of religion
We stimulated TO dormant affection us We bend be-
tore the symbols that Tell us the death OF Christ lf
hove dul mai hot fcelin
then the feast TO US is barren OF these results
The preacher then spoke at some length upon the
doctrine o transubstantiaon, saying IL was opposed
to reason, and that the perversion arose in time
when men were extremely credulous and the word OF
doctrine could eycr havc arisen, and II never could
have done so lad men gone back to the origin OF tho
institution OF communion. The bread and wine were
nothing in themselves to suggest Christ; more
II The simple touch of His garment that gave tho heal
faiin and thought that inspired tne touch Christ
| Himself said, as II TO rcbuke the supersti-
sD r1os,o m Is the spirit 'nN qackbsnen .ss
handle the genuine flesh and body OF Christ with
ont benefit To deiy the sensual is 10 20 tack from
| the spiritual. Such an idea of a Saviour would not
satisfy mo. myself, in my proper personality, am
not body, but spirit, anu my wants are spiritual
| Yet through his iath the Christian who sacrcdly
partakcs OF communion tastes divine love- and Is
strengthened by divine JOY There isa real presence
/ Christian draws to Him and receives Him
himself the bread OF li,c. The Holy supper not
mere show nor the commemoratlon OF an historical
fact II rs something to bring us near TO Him, which
He does not demano bu; in a tone Of ensreaty asks
''This do ye ID remembrance OF me-"
THE CHURCH OF THE STRANGERS.
DIR. DERMs.
The anniversary Of the occupancy Of tho members Of
tho Church Of the Strangers OF its present quarters
which occurred yesterday, rendered more inter-
estng from the fact of the protfacted illness Of Com
modore Vanderbilt, by whose generosity tho edlGce
was presented to the Rev. DR.. Charles +. Deems tho
pastor Of The church. brief history oi tho churen
will, therefore, not DO out Of place.
In 1860 the Rev. Dr. Deems visited this city, and
was induced preach few times In the small chapel
OF the University which he hired for the purpose
fulhi a promise made At the urgent solicitation OF
lady who had heard HIM preach in Jersey City. AT
the end of a month the congregation had increased
I'll the chapel was crowded by persons. mostly
strangers and some nine gentlemen of different
denominations formed themselves into executive
committee to keep the place open for worship under
the name Of !" The Strangers Sunday Home"
Before the end OF tho year Dr. Deems was offered the
presidency OF college Tho business that ignally
brough, MIN 10 New York was ended, there
plan Tor life work suggested. ana the little flock OF
strangers collected around the strange pastor I'M
able support him. but they cntreaicd that he would
continue with thcm and IN the face OF all these DIM
cultics DIR. Deems, whose heart had become knit to
this little band OF worsnppers consented 10 remain as
their pastor
1867, Dr.
tho large chapel OF the University wnsre the accom-
modation iourfold greater. But II was stil an
| ssscmblage without church organzaton. The result
oil much deberaton was iha; IL Was decided TO or
ganizo tree and independents church, receiving as
members such persons as presented letters showing
their good standing IN any other orthodox church;
such as declared that they had been aud desired
be- but by OF circumstances which they could
not control not aba to resent letters Of men,
bcrship and such desired to join, upon q sincere
and hearty profession OF iaith in that statement Of
Christian doctrines commonly known as the Apostles
creed
| January, 1868 thirty-two persons enrolled them
selves thus forming the Church oil the strangers. Ia
The city OF New York During The remainder OF tue
| wear thirty other persons became members The
chapel OF the University was ound 10 be entirely too
small to accommodate The immense CONGREGATIONS
| which every Sabbath assembled 10 hear the popular
ana eloquent pastor 1t was therefore, determined 10
procure another and better place Consequently Dr.
| Deems entered INTO negotiations with the propcr
par,les Tor the purchase the Mercer Pros
bytcrian church. situated in Nelson place, between
wavcrlcy place and Clinton place Flfty thousand dol
lars was the amount asked tor the structure and thus
Dr. Deems agreed to pay, ana IN the mcantne named
day closing OF the agreement and the trans
The prepsr Gn masn~ sco n,s ms
| day arrived, he called upon by Com
modoro vandcrbils private secretary, woo presented
| tho same no that Mr. Vanderbilt, having heard OF
tho proposed purchase. wished DR.. Deems TO accept
the am 'unt as sit from nmse 20 re % pa,o 70 ,hs
proper papers transferring tho property 70
the church OF the Strangers should De mado
property was made repairs OF very extensive nature
wero at once commenced, and what was previously an
old fashioned, antiquated looking srucors was soon
made 10 present handsome appearance. The church
was opened the first Sunday in october, ls'o
Among tho many notables present were Commodore
Greeley, Daniel prev, William NJ Evsrss, William r.
! navsmsrcr Stewart l. woodford. william Y. DODGE