The New York herald., 1877-08-27
THE RUSSIAN CHAPEL.


SERMON BY FATHER BJERRING-coLLEoTIoN
FOR THE WOUNDED RUSSIAN SOLDIERS.
In the Russian Chapel, Second avenue, yesterday
morning. the congregation made up OF Russians,
Greeks and number OF Americans. The doors OF the
Iconostas being thrown open, Father Bierrng was re-
vealed before tho altar, which stood large silver
candiestick Of seven branches, each bearing
lighted taper he read the Liturgy OF st.
Cnrysostom the English language and offered prayer
Tor tho imperial family OF Russia, as well
as for the President OF tho United States
There Instrumental music what
ever, mono being allowed by tho rules OF the
church, but throughout the service there was re-
spons,ve chanting by the reader. Father BJerring
preached short sermon, explaining the principal
oogmas OF the Greek Church, and closed with the io
lowing remarks-Nothng Is more manifest than that
those powers which are warning against Christianity
are standing ON the highes, pinnacle OF external
might but also at the same time on The very verge OF
inward With the quickncss OF pestilenco the
modern disease OF unbeet develops Itself and the
whole intellectual and moral decay which Is contained
within IT, But tho church bears within herself the
Immortal life winch her and head has gwen to
her Tho period OF time 10 the close OF which we Wo
approaching, wiI again make manifest Inss the stone
which the builders rejected has become tho head of
the corner
rHE LOVE or GOD
The whole history OF the world proclaims In gl0ri-
manner holy love ol God which educates man
TO great end, and shows us how this education Is
accomplished in the course of timo. AS by the ma.
ti0ns OF classical antiquity that which purely
human at irst developed so by the entrance OF
Christianity into the lie OF the nations new
structure o all relations called beng beauty
which meet with among the Greeks, and the law
which was founded by the Romans. Will always re-
main as the true ground oil all classical education.
But both discover their real significance through the
revelation OF eternal love in Christianity, which, after
the destruction Of those pagan nations so deeply sunk
in moral connected itself with their culture
In 10 lead onward TO the highest IDEAL The
future lies tho hand OF God and IS hidden from hu
man view, but know, also the present time teaches
U.S. that the nations Will hnd their highest welfare only
IN that degree which thcy turn 10 Him who loads
humanity both individually and collectively through
conflict to victory. And SO much tho more us hearts
opened to eternal truth. For only those who by
tho truth free within arc aole 10 una
true freedom also In all the external rotations OF iie
Alter the sermon Father Bjerring announced that
collection would be taken up for the wounded Russian
soldiers and that he would take up similar collection
every Sunday as long as tue war oe De-
know this war undertaken by Russia
to protect tho unhappy Christians suffering under
mo nms m cvzaon and as ali Christians
sympathize with her IN that object. especially IN
the United States where friendly ieeng toward
Russia always has existed, Father BJcrrng hoped |
that congregation would not forget these wounded
soldiers nshting IN The cause OF our common Christi
any but that they would offer such charitable contri.
buttons as they might be able 10 Afford
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
SERMON ON THE NECESSITY OF FAITH IN
CHRIST.
At tho United Presbyterian Church. on Forty.fourth
street. betwcen Ninth and Tenth avenues. Rev. j. W.
Cooper of Beaver county, Pa, preached yesterday to
a small congregation ircm tho text, Luke xviii 35-
49, on tho application of the blind boggar to Jesus
restoration Of his sight Jesus went about doing
good, healing all manner Of diseases. He never
out Of tho way Of doing good Christ, as the text
shows was on his way to Jerusaem and Hc must |
necessarily pass tho blind beggar the way, and when
the blind heard that Christ would pass that way
cpiodo hang nOfD havo
Let US SEQ who this He blind and
able to read he rclcgated TO perpetual
and just so with sinners-.hcy
are blind and cannot read They cannot
appreciate tho beauty and glory OF God. To the bind
man all the beauties oi naturc-the icafy Trees the
with the sinner regard TO his appreciation OF
the graces and attractions OF the Almighty.
The case OF the blind was, humanly speaking
hopeless No medical science could to him
lost sight; and with tho sinner He Is helpless of
himself and 1t IS only the power OF God that can re-
religion. The expression OF the blind man was np
pcaton OF latin in Christ and must Christians act
in having faith that they may be redeemed.
Persons for Chfiat's blessings must
put of by what the world may say; they must cry out
again aud again until the blessed grace given to lit
them up and sustain them The people endeavOred TO
make tho blind hold his peace and to Keep MIN
away IRON Jesus so with the world, which cndeavors
10 keep the away from Christ See the drinking
saloons and all The other ensnarements to keep away
the children Of God from their Father sinners are
righteous would only exert as much zeal IN keeping
them from the devil the Kingdom OF God woud be
nearer at hand.
NEED EARNESTNEsS.
Our hoarts are cold in the service OF the Master
Had Tor souls sake tho same carnestness that
the blind man had for the restoration Of his sight
there would be more Of Christ within US. Christ. an
swered prayer Of tho blind man. and He will an
the prayer of any earnest hoart II is true men
pray to God Tor many blessings on themselves and
their fellow men, but the conduct OF heir lives Is such
negative their claim TO be entitled to the grace
of the LORD Chrsts desire TO those that not Is
that they may see that those that in the service
may returned 10 the ranks OF tho righteous
Faith that opens tho blindost understanding 1t
that which climbs above and leads the soul
triumphant career 10 happy eternal home. Oae
thing among many others should be borne IN mind,
that present opportunities SHOULD he improved Christ
Is passing by, and the opportunity to call upon HIM
should be seized, Tor when He comes again you may
your cold and silent grave.
AMERICAN FREE CHURCH.