The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-29
OLIVER DYER ORDAINED.
A VERY INTER EsTING CEREMONY IN
VEST MOUNT VERNON.
Philosophical and scientific Views Of Reii.
sion-A Clergyman who ASKS no Favors -
Severe Tests Of Biblical Interpretation.

ternay morning as minister OF the Church Of
the New Jerusalem, which Is often called the
swedenborgian, or more correctly, THE New
Church." was an event OF unusual interest to
the members OF that denomination. The Rev.
Cbsuncey Giles OF New York city, who 10 the
ordaining minister Of the association, ofilciated
on the occasion, preaching and performing the
New Church ceremony OF ordination. Two lay
men conducted sir. Dyer to the ofhciatlng min
lister, Mr.. Gilcs, and, standing one on each side
Of the candidate, requested on behalf OF the
association that he be auth orized by ordination
to perform aud administer the rites OF the New
Church, baptism, burial, marriage, and the
Lords Supper. Mr.. Giles asked and received
the assent Of the candidate to the doctrines OF
the New Church, and while the candidate knelt,
laid upon his head ordaining hands.
The New Church Of West Mount Vernon Is In
deed new church, and Ia grand little edlace.
1t is situated on Chester Hill, away from the
business portion OF tho village, and is surround ed
by residences. 1t Ia finished In a simple. yet
tasteful style Of ecclesiastical cottage architeo-
ture. The roof Is lsft with Its scanolding tim
bors; there is no white paint or plaster glaring
on the eyesight, but soft drab, relieved only
with bright edge. Tho windows are OF stained
glass the principal ones, gothic In form. all Of
them symbolical and when they are illuminated
by the food OF light from the unbroken hemis-
phero OF sky that roofs the village OF West
Mount Vernon, the mind Is unconsciousiy tran
quilized and Is absorbed IN the meaning OF the
besutiful. bright colored emblems.
The large Gothic window at the west end Is a
memorial OF the late Hon. Hugh WHITE and was
presented by airs. ". ". Niles. the subjects OF
Illustration are Feeding the Hungry" and
Clothing the Naked. The south Gothic win
dow was given by DIR. l.. =. Close, and illustrates
tho opening Of the sixth Seal. The north window
Is In two parts, the one bali In memory OF Grace
Estaorook, and presents "a graceful oriental pio-
ture OF the Moman at the Well OF Sanart a :"
the other beautifully illustrates the people
The smaller windows have severalIy the tim
brel, the harp, eagles wing. almond blossoms,
dove, lilies, candelAbra and u crown; and on
cacn window Is respectively inscribed motto
or a word suggesting the symbols meaning:
he Understandins OF Truth. The JOY Of
Of Truth" spiritual Good" "Spiritual truth"
spiritual Church symbollzed BY the candel-
lied by an eagles wings; "The Goods Of Lie
and Charity" ypiled by almond blossoms; aud
the crown sgniiylng Wisdom and Eternal Fe-
htity."
rne altar recess. whore the Blblo is laid after
the reading, has also colored window above,
through which the crimson light pouring down
glows upon the open Word. The seats are un-
cushioned aud COOL and have that comfortable
| spring foliage, and May blossoms, would recon
Gle one TO however long discourse.
Oliver Dyer Is nity-two Years old, and has had
wide experience = a teacher, lecturer. lawyer,
and journalist. He has also devoted much at
tention 10 theology and the study ~ the Bible.
tUt n
representative man and a leader, and since the
year 1868 he has been preaching as a laymun. In
that year circle oflay preachers was formed IN
this city Tor the purpose OF disseminating a
knowledge Of the New Church doctrines. Mr..
Dyer was tue last to join the circle, and then
did so with reluctance. At the end OF three
years he was the only member OF the circle left
In the field. He has continued to preach up to
the present time. He never has received pay
for preaching, and says he never will. For sew
eral years he has offcidtsd regularly for the Mt.
Vernon Society. out has persistentiy declined
4 hat ne
rite uf ordination does not confer upon its re
cipient any eift, quality, or ABILITY which he
nj ght not possess IN just as full measure with
out ordina ion ; that the rite is simply an offi-
ctal cert ncate OF election to ofi.e, and should
be administered and looked upon with as mut h
respect ana reverence as magistrato's OATH oil
nice. and not otherwise.
" ihere has grown up IN the New Church." s i'd
Mr.. Dyer, "a notion that there is something
| peculiarly holy and sacred In the functions Of
the prestly office: also In the personality OF the
priesti that priest because ne ~ priest, and
ior no other reason. is eCessarily a better be-
ing, holier ana wiser man aud III I because
he has lad ordaining hands laid on his he q by
another priest or minister, hi, opinions and
views on religious sur jects must for that reason
be permitted to override those Of "A man not or
dained. VINO may nevertheess know a great
deal more about the subjects 10 question than
the priest knows"
Oliver Dyer reJecs those notions lie thinks
that man who deyotes himself to any calling
will OF course know more aOout IL than persons
who pay no attention TO 1t; but that his su
ueriOr knowledge does not come from any rite
or ceremony which has been performed over
faithfulness with which he studies the principles
and attends to the duties Of his avocaiion.
Mr.. Dyer refused to acceut ordination unless
these views were also accepted. at .he SUNDAY
morning service one week ago yesterday. he
fully declared himself.on the whole matter. and
tho result was the ceremony OF yesterday. lie
believes that these views OF the prizes ly position
must ultimately prevail iu the Church OF the
Now Jerusalem, aud also throughout Chiisten-
dom ; ia i as men become more Intelligent they
viii understand tnst religion Il matter be-
tween every human soul and its God : and th.t
nnhn lag w hat ha fnay ha Had
must arroeate to himself any power OF either
conferrng or Withholding Gods redeemiDg
merry and purifying grace.
"a fundamental principle Of New Church
doctrine" said Mr.. Dyer, us that all religion
relates life, and the life OF religion Is to do
good. What most distinguishes the Church OF
the New Jerusalem from other denominations
is the tenet that religious truth can and should
be nationally perceived nnd nationally under
stood that every Interpretation Of every text Of
the Word OF God must nave three qualities
II. 1t must be In accordance with Scripture.
"2. 1t must be IN accordance WITH reason.
80. IL must be In accordance with science.
| ANY Interpretation of the Bibls winch does
not POSSESS these three elements" Nj. Dyer
| says "cannot 81 nd against the forces OF mod
ern thought and criticism. II the Interpretation
ture Will condemn It. IL II IS not In accordance
with reason, tnen, reason Will overthrow it. Ii
enc. viii ID dlsslpate il" Mr.. Dyer SAID: '"'" '''
| I'VE interpret tho Bible in accordance with
| these three principles, and therefore have no
fear OF science or reason, but welcome ali their
| triGmphs as the unfolding Of Gods eternal and
un-peakably glorious purposes"
The Rev. Chauncey Giles and other clergy
men of the Church OF New JerAs,lem, sub
| st ntially agree with MIR. Dyer In his views Of
ordination and the ministerial office aud funC-
lions. Mr. Giles's heart was evidently In his
work yesterday. HIS discourse was foun ed on
that beautiful chatter IN the New Testament
where Mary Magdalene and Mary that was the
mother Of Jesus came early In tue morning 20
the tomb OF Jesus.
The progress of mankind Is by distinct steps
said Mr.. Giles. Every person feels this IN his
| own experience. There are CfiSses when he
| stops from an old platform or path and strikes
| on into a new one; when he steps from the ola
| plank and rushes into the onward train. SO we
stand to-day as individuals and ss the New
Church at the beginning OF a new life. Every
church comes to Its end bv the crucinxion OF
the Lord. This resurrection has been ALWAYS u
turning point IN the ages. CrucilXiOn and resur-
rection have marked every distinct step Of Iu-
IN progress.
AZ the Marys expected to Gnd their Lord IN
the sepulchre, 81 mulutudes are looking now To
the dead past. one Of the strongest tendencies
Of men and women Is To look back. Ihey hone
to get virtue from the rituals that have been
used by AN unbrOken chain Of liisnOps Tor cen
tures. ana That the progr. i've soul OF man to-
DAY II sfe II ~ can OILY be anchored TO the
l. lrd by the apostolic cahle.
Tue Lord is not there. He Ia risen. Hedwells
ln the living present. His footsteps and His
grave are IN tie past and when we look into the
empty 5rpulchre OF dogma ana ritual to nnd
Him, we mistake. lie has risen out OF traultion
and stands forth His life beats in the pulse ~
every unSensh EFFORT ana lie will meet us IN the
way. Ibut those VINO cannot receive Him will be