New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-06
DIR. CHRISTIAN AT ST. MARY'S.
HE breaches HIS FIRST SERMON AS REC
TOR OF THE CHURCH

The Rev. DR.. George NJ. Christian the new rector
Of the Protestant Episcopal Church Of ST. Mary the
Virgin. In West Forty-sixth-st preached his first
sermon rector there yesterday morning. There
the usual celebration Of high at 1915
o'clock. DR. Christian took his text from the
twelfth chapter Of 81. Matthew follows: When
the unclean spirit Is gone out of a man. he walketh
through dry places seeking rest. and hndeth none
Then he saith: will return into my house whence
! out: and when he is come he fndeth 1t
empty. swept and garnished. Then goeth he. and
taketh with himself other spirits more wicked
than himself and they enter in and dwell there
and the last state OF that Is worse than the
first"
Or. Christian said that Christ believed in the reality
Of evil spirts-not merely in evil influences. but In
evil spirits. An evil spirit" he said 'can be and
may be partially subdued. and may afterward re-
sumo dominion the soul. that It's state may
be worse than before For a long time the be-
setting sin OF the Hebrew people had been idolatry
but that finally overcome. although not until
the people had suffered sore Affections. Christ did
not find II necessary rebuke them for idolatry
but he did denounce the hypocrisy. the Pharisalsm
OF that age He did denounce a form Of religion
which was careful about all sorts OF details. about
ritualism. while Indifferent about corruption IN
everyday life.
And how is It with US. in this latter end Of the
nineteenth century. OF which we accustomed 10
boast so much? We look back to the time OF the
Reformation, and we say thdt eN Spirits were V"9'
out OF men at that time. We say that the eyiI
spirit OF superstition cast out, ana that tne
Bible was made an open book. for all men 10 read
That Is true but what has been the result las
been altogether a successful movement? What have
we got to-day? The same Holy Scriptures IN the
hands Of the peope-but treated just Ike any other
book handled and criticised like any ordinary pub
lcation Superstition has indeed been cast out, buy
ratlonasm and unbelief have taken its place and
| take Il that the last state OF that man Is worse
than the FIRST This wave Of rationalism Is d.
stroyng far II all belief In vlcarlous
sacrifice and in the atOnement.
"A man may cast out the devil OF drunkenness
and live lie of sobriety for years. But dreadful
as are the consequences Of drunkenness. II were
better for that that he should continue under
its dominion. but with the hope of repentance. than
that should become subject the devils OF pride
and sef-conccit. And how. then. am 10 know
that am not in danger OF this sin OF self-concelt;
how shall | guard against other evil spirits that
may try 10 take the place OF those that are cast
out? Is there any safety? Aye thank God there Is .
ST Matthew says that when the evil spirit returned
IT found the place empty, swept and garnished. II
Il had not been empty. the evil spirit could not
have gotten in. II we do not keep our souls filled
with Gods spirit the devil can enter In and dwell
there. We are not concerned merely with overcom-
ing evil habits. but in building up active virtues.
II rely upon the sustaining power OF the Holy
Ghost. If we live in intimate personal communion
with Jesus Christ and try TO build up the life Of
God in our souls there will be no room for the
devil 10