Year: 1870

Truth the Rule or Human Eihics-sermon by


Rev. DIR. StOrrs.


People who are familiar with Brooklyn churches
remember the gloomy structure at the corner Of
Remsen and Henry streets, where the sombre oak
ornamcntaton was only lighted by the glow and
spendor of the preachers eloqnence. The Pilgrims
have changed all this and DR.. Storrs' church is
one Of the brightest and most cheerful in the city.
For some months the congregation have met in the
Academy of Music while the work of enarging and
renewing has been going on, and Sunday week
ago the first service held in the old quarters.
The church has been enlarged and finely decorated
IN colors ana lecture and Sunday school rooms
have been added.


DR.. Storrs is popular preacher in the best sense
Of the term and during all the time that he preached
at the Academy had very large congregations. 1t
would seem by hts experience there, where he had
far more hearers than even in his own church, that
an ample free church Is the kind of institution to
attract the masses; given, OF course. preacher OF
the right kind. DR.. Storrs is man OF rare cultva.


tion and aims to interest his hearers by sermons


carefully considered and logically arranged rather
view to sensation. HIS eloouence is Of the grave


and stately kind aud though IL Is often impaSsOned,
IT never loses Its dignity.


The text yesterday morning was Ephesans w., 15-


"But speaking the truth In love, may grow up into


Him., HIM in AL things which is ns the Head even
qulre truth. Society could not preserve Its
Conference without 1t. Nothing could be more


ena9 than n society the 9 law
deviation from truth is dshOn0red and punished.
This law is only reaflrmed and made more distinct
by the Christian rule; out at the same time Is added
the element OF love; the natural law Is not


enough. without being combined with love


to God and m man; d.. When rnn IN ta Goloss no,ne we
tint; II we combine natural law with love we
change It's quality. we receive favor from one we
personally love the feeling Of obligation becomes gra-
titude. II we endure pain loving him who inhicts It,
that which would otherwise be stolcsm becomes
sweet submission. Seif.reproach becomes pen-
tence If the wrong act is committed against one
whom we love. Conviction OF truth becomes faith
| If the truth be received through the ahections-a
belief. Our desires when expressed to
being we love become prayers. and our
outlook to the future world Is changed fron vague


expectation joyful hope by che same transforming
THE POWER OF LOVE.


Speaking the truth is the rule OF human ethics;
speaking in love is the higher Christian law. Love
has the power to exalt human rules into Christian
virtues And 1t is this alpowerul principle Of love
that God came reveal in the person OF His Son.
We see Gods greatness In the outwardword; but 1t


is only in Christ that we can realize and feel His per-


pVne W have so drawn heart Of he world as


by revealing itself through the tender eyes Of Christ
It makes no difference what else we feel or imagine
hope, II this personal love Is not "a then the
great work of our salvation is not completed, and
we need to pray for assistance from the Holy Spirit


tne oGe 81 Of ove he ~ ans ano
the Church is to noursh In men personal love to


Christ That Is the traest Church where thus prn
tests our doctrine is thls:-Does it re.
suit In tender personal love TO Christi
No matter how ancient our Church or how splendid,
how full OF literature art song, 1t Is mere IN
stitution OF human ambition or pride unless TINS


spirit OF tender love combines with every other ele-


ment. So will this church structure become dear to


us only as we learn within it this great lesson. Love
Is the element Of which heaven Is made: III
QVr lives mere are guided and controlled py