The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-03
BEAUTY OF EPlSCoPALIANISM.
REV. c. II. sTRONG's SERMON ON
THE BREADTH OF THE CHURCH.

! THE BREADTH OF THE CHURCH.
Its simplicity and Liberality Dwell
UpOn-The Apostles Creed Com
pared with the Westminster and
Augsburg Confessions - The Lit
urgy of the Church ExpIained-Tbe
Difference Between Church and
Society.
Rev. Charles II. Strong's sermon at st.
| Johns church last night on 'The Breadth
and Beauty of the Episcopal Church" as
one OF the strongest discourses to which
| his congregation has ever listened.
The church as an organization distinct
from mere religious emotion, its character
and objects and its dealings with those
who have placed themselves in its charge
were discussed and the manner in which
these requirements are fulfilled by the
church was illustrated. The sermon was
one which might have been enjoyed by
any one on account of the elevated ideas
and the beautiful language in which they
we're expressed, but it must have been
especially appreciated by the Episcopal
ians present.
In beginning his discourse MIR. Strong
said that to speak of ones church was like
speaking of ones own family. 1t is sa-
cred subject which must not be dealt with
irreverently. 1.-THE institution which we
call the church." he said, lis part of
our Christian religion This is a fact
which has been overlooked by many peo-
pie, who are wrapped up in the emotion,
the ethics and the principles of religion.
On the other hand others are so permeat-
ed with the church idea that they forget
the fact that after all the church is not
Christ. That it is only the means to an
end"
The Lord spent forty days on earth after
Easter, Mr.. Strong said, for the purpose
of organizing his church. This appears
to have been the chief object for which
he remained on earth after his resurrec-
ton. Almost everything he said and did
in that time pertains to the church. After
completing this work he assembled to
heaven.
There is a distinction, Mr.. Strong said,
between a church and a society. Men
NAV form a society, but only our Lord
Jesus Christ could establish church
Many societies have been formed for the
purpose of giving prominence TO some one
or more portions of Scripture, but tnere
has never been but one church. lie IL
Illustrated his ideas of society as varying
from a church by a little description OF
an imaginary society, which he denomi-
mated "The Society of Immediate Resur-
recfionists." devoted to the idea of the i'm
mediate resurrection of the body after
death.
Il am more and more convinced" Mr.
- Of n
sizing the breadth and liberahty of the
church. The church was not intended 70
inculcate a narrow devotion to form ana
creed or to any limited set of ideas. Be
cause Of this disposition to narroWness
on the part of the church luxury ana
worldnness and indifference and careless
ness have crept in. What men want Is
not the little points of truth and light
here and there, but the whole truth OF
the Gospel We are not called upon TO
deny any truth which may have found
Judgment in the human heart LAberalty
and breadth are always characteristic OF
the church
MIR. Strong dwelt upon the beauty, sim
pIicity and completeness of the apostles
creed. He compared it with the Westmln-
ster and Augsburg confessions, contrast
ing the simplicity of the Apostles creed
with the effort and detail of these two
celebrated documents. He INDUCED in
the modern theologians might have added
to the apostles creed. had it been submit
ted to them for revision.
Glow thankful we ought to be" he said,
that the nineteenth century theologlan
did not write the apostles creed, and that
II was not even submitted to him for his
annexation.
LAS long as you can believe the apostles
creed with all your heart" said Mr.
strong, you can leave all these other
questions to be discussed by the theolo-
CLANS. Is there a pulpit, outside the
church of Christ, where you VIII near TINS
statement made, and yet you know that
1 am absolutely an orthodox clergyman
of the Episcopal church.
MIR. Strong discussed the liturgy of he
Episcopal church. 1t is beautiful ana
complete, he said, and suited to all times
and seasons and occasions. he reierreu
TO the recent beautiful Easter service as
an illustration Of the character of the
services of the church. OF its marriage
service. he said that nothing had ever
been devised more complete, more APP
proprlate and so well suited to its purpose
Nothing has been left unsaid when
should have been said, and nothing mas
been included which should not have been
included II is perfect Its death service
Is solemn appropriate and complete, con-
tanning nothing to harrow the feelings
of any sorrowing bereaved one The
whole service or the church throughout
he said. Is beautiful and divine.
Mr. strong asked why 1t is that so many
people of culture and refinement have al
WAYS been found in the Episcopal church.
He answered the question by saying that
II Is because the church itself has refine
ment and culture coming down TO 1t
through the ages. He admonished his con
greyation that Il should appreciate the
beauty and completeness of the services.
IN THE FIELD ron 4 CONSULSHIP.