The New York Herald

ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Love Mortals Should Bear Towards God—Sermon by the Rev. Mr. Jones.

St. Paul's church was well filled last evening to listen to a sermon by Rev. Mr. Jones. The usual service was read and chanted, and selections of music given by the choir, including the fiftieth Psalm. Mr. Cornell presided at the organ. The text was from Psalms lxxiii., 25—'Whom have I in heaven but Him? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Him.' The preacher said: What a grand exclamation! and how sublime must be the soul that can conceive and give utterance to a thought so high above the emotions of man. This psalm, which is attributed to David, but which is THE CREATION OF ANOTHER, is one of the most beautiful expressions of a rapt, poetic feeling that has been given to man. The father who sends his son to light the battles of his country, and when he has been placed in post of honor and danger learns through the telegraph the mournful announcement of his death, cannot but feel deeply stricken. Yet we assemble daily over this wide land, in health and in the bosom of our families, and never offer thanks to God, and we never feel the shock caused by the death of one loved and lost when we remember the priceless blood shed for us by the Son of God. How can one estimate the quality and quantity of man's love for God?

ONE EVIDENCE OF THE SPIRIT'S love for Christ is its spontaneity. It is not forced, but gushes forth like the waters of a fountain. It needs no argument to warm the piety. Does a mother ever question herself in regard to her love for her child? And the love that man should bear for God is purer and holier, if possible, than the love of a mother. One evidence of the love of Christ is its supremacy. It is supreme, but it does not demand the exclusion of all other love. It does not demand AN ABSENCE OF HUMAN AFFECTION. Of the love we may bear our father, our mother, our wife or child, or the severance of those bonds which unite men in friendship and affection; and when the psalmist said, 'Whom have I in heaven but Him, and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Him?' he did not mean that God only was loved by him, or that he had no other love for those upon earth.

When the conquering army of France had gathered about Ratisbon, and the conflict was progressing fiercely, while the leader sat motionless and anxious upon his horse, a mile away, an officer rode rapidly towards him and, dismounting, said, 'My Emperor, the day is won. The Marshal occupies the market place, and I have placed the imperial eagle above the walls of the city.' Then, as THE SPEAKER TURNED PALE and fainting away, the Emperor, pausing in his exultant ejaculation, said, 'Young man, you are wounded.' 'No, not wounded, but killed,' and he dropped dead at the Emperor's feet. Such is the love entertained by man towards his guilty brother man, and oh, what then should be the boundless adoration given to God, so great and good, and when necessary what sacrifice too great to offer.