Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-05-03

At the Stsyye,ant Institute whether the general
character we have given Of this work Of art il not
fully supported by personal view OF its beauty and
originality. Stoxt, young man, under the impulse
Of the highest order Of original genius, has cast on
the trammels Of the schools and has dared to wander
forth among the enchanting female forms OF his own
native land and there selected his modelsormed his
style-gatheredu up his dpresentsthemi in the
form at the Institute which, while 1t bears general
resemblance the Queen of England, is no less the
representation Of the beau ideal of-not one queen
bat Of thousand queens in this original and happy
land-where every beautiful woman is a queen, and
every civilized man is her willing and passionate
subject. BY the gods do you talk to rs Of beef
steak criticism :! Avaunt, blockhead!
consscration Of the Church Of the Messiah.
An immense crowd of beauty, and fashion, and in
tcect, and wealth, assembled yesterday afternoon
at the beautiful building recently erected by the
second congregation of Unitarians in this city This
church named by the Unitarians the Church OF the
Messiah; it is situated in the most fashionable part
of the city, in Broadway, facing Waverly Place;
and will, we have very little doubt, become the most
fashionable place Of worship in this church going
singular city
The church is very staple in its construction, but
very elegant the expense of erecting and completing
it was 500 is most substantially built, in the
casellated style that prevailed in England between
the accession of Henry VII, and that of Elizabeth
The interior fitted up in style superior to that OF
anv other place Of worship in the city. 1t is most
beautiful All the wood Of the galleries, the panels
the seats in the body of the church, are white, orna
mented with carved work, also white. A plain maho-
ga.y rail surmounts each seat, relieving the monoto
nv of color without detracting from the chaste and
elegant severity Of the tout ensemble There are but
two small clusters of pillars each side to support
the gallery, which is decided improvement upon
the cumbrous and heavy plan generally adopted.
Foar similar small clusters support the organ gallery
T~ elve groups Of bronzed branch gas lights are judi
ciously placed, six the pillars and six against the
walls; these are sufficient to light the church in
most brilliant manner, without the aid OF chande-
lier. The pulpit is arranged on new plan; u is
placed in the centre of narrow platform at the ex-
treme end Of the church, il is very caPacieas con-
structed Of mahogany elegantly carved, and resem-
bes closely the hand somely carved gothic pulpit in
Gloucester Cathedral, Of the Oldest pulpits in
England The platform on each side is admirably
adapted for seating ten twelve persons on either
side of the pulpit and for this can be used by
the leaders speakers Of large assenblage upon
any occasion when a meeting may be called in the
church. to be addressed by a number Of speakers.
But perhaps of the most handsome features ofthe
interior is the painting of the roof and wall at the
back of the pulpit.
The roof presented to view from the interior, is
almost fat in its construction, without any apparent
support except from the walls and is painted to
semble the simple gothic work that adorns the nave
.--A--e sc Worrester Cathedral. The appearance
Of tho triple pendant is admirably managed. Inc
w all behind the pulpit is painted in fresco, and the
design is very similar to many Of the gothic churches
on the continent Of Europe II represents the nte-
ror Of church in the purest style Of gothic archi.
lectures the drawing and perspective is beautifully
done; the view down the long aisle, the painting in
dusk the pillars, the retted roof the gothic arches,
are all extremely natural, and at a very small dis
lance have the appearance Of reality; the eye is
much relieved by this arrangement that the church
looks Of an almost intermnablc length. This effect
is alss increased by the construction Of the platform
on which the pulpit is placed At either end OF the
platform is small retiring room The seats are all
elegantly cushioned and the backs of them are CO.
vered with white silk moreen fabric to cores
pond with the cushions so that the whole interior
has appearance Of lghtness neatness, simplicity,
and elegance pleasing and refreshing to the eye as
il is novel.
Thus much for the church. The interior was
crammed. The congregation present this occa-
sen perfectly in keeping with the place and the
proceedings. Iwo-thlrds were ladies' and two
thirds Of them were tremely beautiful; majority
were quite young, blooming, budding, Intellectual
girls, and all were remarkably well dressed. The
whole Of the arrangements was bright, brilliant
triumphant display Of the ascendancy Of science
beauty philosophy, painting, poetry, architecture,
eIoquence intellect love, and literature, over super
stiton, folly, bgotry ignorance, obstnacy, roguery,
and stupidity.
The ceremony Of eonsec rating the church was very
simple. Three other clergymen, with the Rev. Or
willie Dewey assembled the platform, and took seats
behind the pulpit. One spoke in prayer, a second
gave out the hymn, third read a chapter, and pray
ed, and Mr. Dewey gave out psalm; this was sung
very sweety-the solo by young lady, pos ssing a
very rich full and mclodious voice the air was mot
unlike that Of the parting finale, as sung by Miss
Shrref and Wilson in La Ssnnambula. At the
close Of the hymn, Mr.. Dewey read his discourse,
which was in substance as follows:
Holiness becometh thy House, O Lord Of Hosts.
The present il a solemn occasion. We are about to
consec rate to the worship Of the Almighty a temple
that is dear to US; but can easily conceive case
where il would be even more endeared; IL, in
altar of refuge temple Of shelter for prosecuted
Christians. We value il as a Just tribute paid by
wealth. and learning, and science, to the cause Of
religion; but this Is not the only point at which
wealth and intellect should stop. do not think
much can be done to beautify temple dedicated to
religion. We should do that well which is done but
once in hundred years. The people Of this city, in
particular, lavish annually large sums upon shows,
and fleeing pageants that satisfy not and things that
perish with the hour that gives them birth; why
not, then, expend ten times much upon those tenn
Piles which are to last for centuries7
A church should be a monument Of beauty and the