Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-02-26
Opening and Conservation Of ST. re'e'
Church, Barclay street.


which thew have been in possession Of for nearly nall
a century, was csnsecraed according TO The "ysucal
rites of the Catholic Church. and dedicated 10 Inc ser
vice Of Almighty God, before congregation Oh I'M
mense numbers with sermon fgreat eoquence, aud
accompanied by music superior in melody, beauty
harmony and magnifcence, to any thing that ever
has been heretofore heard in any church In TINS city,
The organ instruments and choir, down 10 the mi
nutest point are the most cultivated and recherche
now in this country.
Ten o clock was the hour of assembling the faithful,
but the doors were flung open at an earlier hour, and
sng before that period the body OF the church was
filed with the beauty taste and intellect from every
sect of religion in the city, This fact speaks volumes
for the spirit of religious liberty and federation which
exists in New YsIk. Tickets of admission had been
issued at dollar apiece, in order to realize small pit
lance towards defrayng the heavy debt incurred BY
it's erection and Judging from the crowded pews, on
the floor and in the galleries. no fewer than 25OU could
have been sold. The asles in every direction were
also crowded by highly respectable and well-beh
ed asse mblage.
OF the construction, beauty, simplicity, and chaste-
ness of the INTERIOR have already spoken, though
not exhausted the subject. Atpresent we have only
time, room, and disposition TO touch slightly on the
in ,ellectual and religious portion of the affair."
At the entrance the observer was first struck with
the beauty of the altar Illuminated with nnumcrabe
tapers, shedding light around, as an emblem OF the
light of faith and hope which throws radiance over
the altar of the heart and soul of the tree Christian
In few minutes, Bishop Hughes, accompanied by
three or osr priests and Others made their appear
ance, arrayed in the curious vestments, prescribed
by the ritual of thor Church. The Bishop then
traversed the spacious aises Of the church, and went
through the ceremony of conservation in the old Ian
guage of Rome-the choir at the same time giving
forth the most splendid and enchanting harmony.
Soon after this part Of the service, High Mass was
begun-introibs ad altdre Dei-proceeding to that
portion Of the service where they generally make
pause in order 10 introduce discourse or sermon IN
the vernacular Up to this period, some of the most
beautiful anthems were sung by the choir, accom-
panied by the magnificent organ, and occasionally
with all the other instruments Of music in the gallery
The pulpit ia movable. 1t rolled in a couple of
seconds in front of the altar and the eloquent Doctor
Powers assembled and preached appropriate dis.
course for the occasion.
We scarcely know what TO say Of the sermon. 1t
ought to have been heard by every bgot, every hot
ssctaran-every person called or deserving the name
Of Christian in New York.
DR.. Powers was exceedingly happy, pisus, appropris
ate chaste, and highly philosophical in his views
He contended that religion, and especially Christi
anity the great principle Of civilization all
government and all law were vain without its sane
tons-that frem the earliest antiquity the present
day, religion alone gave moral grandeur beauty TO
the character of nations. He illustrated his views
by references to sacred and profane hisory-to the
people Of Israel and the people of Athens-to
the Jews as well the Gentiles-to the city of
the Eternal, Jsrusalem-and the Eternal city, Rome.
Ii true, the whole earth but the altar of the
Almighty, and the great universe, with the sua bla-
Zing in his glory, and the moon and stars walking in
their majesty, but the great temple of the Eer
nal Father-yet il meet and it, that certain To-
calties this earth should be apart in order 10
accommodate the weakness of men-not the great
ness of the Almighty.
In the strain Dr. Powers showed that to assist
our weak and feeble thoughts Religion alliedtsef with
law, with government, with art with philosophy, and
with all the knowledge Of which genius and mind
may create generate in this vale of tears. The
lustration was happy-and the splendid painting Of
crucifed Savior hanging in beauty the altar,
the grace and exquisite workmanship of the altar it.
SELF together with the glorious music, breathing from
the choir, brought home every mind and 10 every
heart the truth of the observation and the depth of
its philosophy well the nauraness Of it's piey
Poetry, painting, music statuary, and all the sister
arts are only parts of the great universal language Of
nature. Why should they be banished from the sub
lime and pious intercourse between man and his Ma
ker-between beautiful woman and her afectonate
Redeemer7
Doctor Powers closed his eloquent discourse by
direct reference to the history Of St Peters Church.
He paid high compliment to the gentlemen by
whose activity, piety and liberaity, that splendid
building has been re-erected. And indeed they de-
serve all praise Some gave money, and many SER
vices-and to one highly esteemed citizen, they are
actually indebted for advances equal to $4,000 at
low interest," at the time, during last year that
he cosd have got thrtysix per cent interest for the
same loans in Wall street. Who will say, after this,
that pety does not ennobe the human hearth
After the sermon, the concluding portion of high
mass was celebrated, accompanied, as usual, with all
the splcndor and msgnfcence of the music. II was
Mszart's grand Mass No. IL, which was selected aad
sung on the occasion. The following is list of the
splendid Choir
Mr. ". g. Hin, Leader. Mr. Rsmsbottom,
hr. T. Thornton, Conductor Mr.. Rossier.
NJ G. ". Beams Ossnf. Mr. Heuberer, Principal Bsao.
Ms Morley, Prrsipal Treble Mr.. Galley,
MIS- Verify, Mr.. Lewis.
Mrs Livingston, Dir. Reset,
Miss ksvansgh; Mr. Kavanagb
mesIsylor Mr. Qusek enbos,