Evening journal., 1905-06-19

Of OLD SWEDES
Historic Church Is Two Hun
dred and Six Years
Old
SERMON BY THE REV, F, M, EIREUS

Old Swedes Church, which is one Of the
most historic churches in the country is
206 years old and the anniversary Of its
dedication was appropriately celebrated
yesterday. Although more than two CEN
turtles old 1t is now almost as substantial
as when first built by the early Swedish
settlers.
There was large congregation present
from all parts Of the city and while the
services were simple. they were impress
sive.
Old Swedes Church is a branch Of Trim
ity Church and in order to give the people
of the latter church an opportunity TO at-
tend the anniversary service yesterday
only morning prayer was said in Trinity.
The Rev. Henry b. Olmstead, rector OF
Old swodes onlciated at the services. The
Rev Frederic NJ. Klrkus. the rector of
Trinity parish celebrated the communion
and preached the anniversary sermon.
Mr.. kirkus took for his text OF the SER
mon: Corinthians xiii. IA
"The grace Of the Lord Jesus Christ
and the love of God. and tho communion
of the Holy Ghost be with you all"
Alr. Kirkus pointed out the practical
significance of the Christian doctrine OF
the Trinity. The pulpit. he said, was not
the place to dwell upon the theological
subtleues involved IN the doctrine. Tn,
truth. which Is of fundamental Import
ance, taught by the Jewish Church Of old
as well as by the Christian Church, i.
that of tho Unity of Cod No theory Of
the Trinity which implies that the per
sons OF the Godhead can possibly work a
cross-purposes is to be accepted as true
although many have thus misunderstood,
the doctrine. That God Is one is the fun
damental verify taught and emphasize,
by the church on this feast Of the Hol,
, Trinity.
But the Christian name Of God q
"FQther, Son and Holy Ghost" indicatini
certain intrinsic relationships which ar
of the very essence Of the Deity. and ais
b indicating a threefold relationship b
which God stands TO man. This latter as
> pect Of the subject is the one whic
touches us. most nearly. and withou
dwelling upon the deeper mysteries Of tn
subject the doctrine Of the Trinity en-
shrines this threefold truth which is fu
Of practical importance and value for nj
God is our Father; the Supreme Boinl
to whom we owe our very existenc,
p stands in the closest Of all personal T,
!. lations to us. He loves us in way whic
may truly be compared to the way
which a human father loves his child. an
he invites cur love and confidence in r,
turn We may approach Him as a chill
does a father. assured that His ear
! opened to our prayers. and that His lo'
! ing sympathy and response are alwa,
: available fer us.
And God is cur Savior The divine B
+, ing has declared Himself in many way
In creation, in history, by special reveli
tons from time to time. But his crow
ing revelation Of Himself was by the Il
carnation. In Jesus Christ. God has con
very near to every one Of us. The tende
~ ness, the purity the mercy that we lno
=, in Jesus are qualities OF God. To obey Iii
is to do the viii of God. To know al
q love Him is to have a knowledge of Go
i To abide in Him Is to be at one wi
God. Thus may we actually be saved fro
6 the guilt and power Of sin.
II And yet again. God is our Inspiratlo
II BY His Holy Spirit He is present in
1t and about us always. our comforter. o
ie friend and teacher, and above all o
ie santiher Through Him We learn TO lSnS
le the will Of God and also gain the pow
O. and the will to do it,
n In concluding Mr.. Flirlus said: "In o
u" own behalf then let us pray today tn
the grace Of the Lord Jesus Christ. a
y the love Of God. and the communion
: the Holy Ghost may abide with us n,
30 and forevermore.