The New York herald., 1878-11-11
THIRD REFORMED PRES. CHURCH.

FIRST SERVICE SINCE IT'S DESTRUCTION BY
FIRE--TR;rE CHRISTIAN WORSHIP SERMON BY
REV. DAVID GREGG.
The Third Reformed Presbyterian Church, in
Twenty-third street, between Seventh and Eighth
avenues, which destroyed by fire on February II
last. has been rebuilt and reopened yesterday.
The Rev. David Gregg, for many years the pastor,
occupied the pulpit Before the Mr.. Gregg
hastily sketched the history Of the congregation 1t
took its present March 10, 1sls having sep
arated from the Second Reformed Presby terian
church. A regular organization was perfected
few months later. and the Rev. John
Little was installed the hrst regular pas
tor in June. 1si9. lie remained until February,
1865 and in August, 1865. the Rev j. d. Williams WIS
called and had charge of the church for a while. la
May. 1866. the Rev. J. H. W. sloane. D. d.. was iu-
stalled pastor when the present site OF the edice was
selected. On the first Sabbath in February 1860 the
church opened. and the Gospel was preached
therein from that time until it, destruction win
ter. Dr. Sloane remained pastor until October ~,
1865 when he resigned TO accept the profcssorshp of
theology ia the seminary At Allegheny, Pa. ON Feb
rary "a, 1870 the present pastor was installed and
preached his first sermon. Up 10 this time Mr. Gregg
has received 10 new members into the church and
sin & 1s4s the whole number Of members reaches s14
The congregation has worshipped a body every
Sabbath since the building destroyed in the lee
WORSHIP TRUTH.
The preacher selected az his text John iy q, ~,
2i-"Jcsns saith unto her, Woman. believe me- the
hour concth when ye shall neither in this mountain
yet ~ Jerusalem worship the Father. But the
hour cometb. and H., when the true worshippcrs
shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth for the
Father sccketh such to worship him. God is a spirit;
aud they that worship him must worship him In
spirit aud III truth. Mr.. Gregg said that more
within the walls OF their churcn around which clus-
tered many precious memories he could not think Of
hitting theme than True Christian Worship
for the mornings consideration. Al the opening Of
the spiritual Church at Sanaria the Lord treated OF
the SAME subject, although His audience was not
large. His sermon to the woman referred
To- in the text, aud her conversion aroused
the sluinbcrng Samaritafs 70 thought from
which flowed great aud gratifying results. God
recognizes n man the only creature endowed with in
Of human nature IL 10 reason with our Maker Mental
fellowship with God Is the greatest Of blessings Man
i responsible TO God for his thoughts and actions,
aud II IL taken for granted that unconstitutional
wOrshipprr. Such, continued the preacher. are
the underlying elements in human virtue. Religion
IL old as the records of humanity. The spirit Of
worship Is not dying OUT the advances Of science have
not retarded il. but, the contrary, wiped away
much of the dust that has been accumulatng for
ages that the Christians Of to-day see more clearly
than did those Of the past.
HARMONY WIN ooD
In treating Of the subject OF worship Jesus
always adapted himself to HIS hearers Ne told the
woman that the day for ceremony had passed
and simplicity in worship 10 take It's place.
Wherever the true soul lifts itself up God there
would be found the holy of holies. True worship
must b. in harmony with God and come from true
knowledge Of Him. True worshippcrs must know