The New York herald., 1844-11-01


esting document, which has just been emitted by
the authority of the Episcopal Convention, which
terminated its sessions at Philadelphia the other
day. The proceedings of that Convention were, in
several points of view, very singular. The violent
personal altercations-the unchristian exhibitions
OF bad temper-the ill-concealed jealousies-he
melancholy circumstances connected with the trial
and deposition Of Bishop-and various other mat
ters gave to the sessions of this ecclesiastical body
very painfal interest in the minds of all genuine
and intelligent friends of morality and religion.
The 'Pastoral Letter." which we present to our
readers, does not by any means tend to remove the
dlsagreeable impressions they produced. Let Is
briefly glance at it.
For some years past the churches have been sad
ly disgraced by the development of gross immoral
lty amongst the clergy We have on several occa-
sions alluded in becoming terms to this melancholy
subject, and have endeavored to point out some OF
the causes which have thus contributed to bring true
religion into dsrepue and to inict dlshonor on re-
spectacle and influential religious communities
Clerical delinquency has not been confined to one
sect. In the Presbyterian church--lp the Catholic
church-in acknowledgements in the Episco-
pale hurch we have had instances of gross immorali
~ In some or riruso who ninistered at the altar
This very Convention was occupied with very
sad case, that of the Bishop Of Pennsylvania, and
we believe before its session terminated rumors
seriously affecting the moral character of the Bish
op of another diocese were afoat, and yet with
these broad facts before them-facts developing
a sad laxitv of morals in the clergy-ths conven-
tionsit quietly down and gravely issue solemn dis
QUESTION on techncalties and points Of theological
controversy and abstract questions of religious be-
lief ;-points and questions which belong to ano
ther age and another era the exuvial remains oi
the religious feuds which distracted the christian
world eighteen hundred years ago. We are thus
at once reminded Of the qnarres between the rival
sects in the Greek church, who met and contended
in the Hippodrame about Greek particle, and
that at time when Mehomedanism was pressing
on the very existence Of the church, and seizing
on the empire itself.
We cannot avoid also noticing the hypocrisy oil
this "Pastoral Letter" Its authors talk about the
"harmony" which prevails in the church, and thank
heaven for the peace and charity with which 1t is al
present blessed. This at time when the church Is
torn and distracted by paltry controversies about
theological qubbles- by the petty ambition OF rival
priests-and by violent and unseemly personal dis
likes! This at time when the growing inn
morality Of the clergy has invaded the ranks Of the
highest ecclesiastical dignitaries, and is making
the Episcopate bye-word and reproach. Moth
ting seems to disturb these pious men but the
" alarming progress Of Popery" Really all this
is painful in the extreme. All the churches appear
to be losing their moral influence and power.
And why? Because they are departing from the
simple but sublime precepts of the founder OF
christianlty-because they are forgetting the words
- { ,Loe aL.s ,b<,
proclaimed amid the mountains of Judea, in the
streets Of the Holy City, and on the shores of Gall
lee that system Of morals, the strict observance OF
which alone can make men good and happy. A
cold indifference and ruinous fanatlclsm are
preying on the churches in this latter day. Among
all the sects we want men of blameess life, un-
daunted zeal, and steadfast faithfulness-men like
the courageous Paul, who remained at Ephesus
"because there were many adversares," and who
fearlessy rebuked iniquity :" in high places" We
want fresh infusion of the genuine spirit OF
christianity amongst the professed followers of the
cross. This is what we want-not formal, chilling
and hypocritical "Pastoral Letters" which pro-
claim sspeace, peace, when there is no peace, and
which lead men into the polsmical arena, instead
Of leading them TO Christ
M. M, NOAH AND THE HEBREws.-We under
stand that the recent speech, discourse, or ha-
rangue, or whateve- it maybe called, delivered by
M. M. Noah, in the Tabernacle, has created
great deal Of remark and controversy amongst the
Hebrews Of this city, and particularly amongst the
most intelligent and educated Of them. They de-
ny that Mr.. Noah understands their sentiments,
and very Indignantly disdain the idea Of his right
to act as their organ. In variety Of points, we
understand that Mr.. Noah has misrepresented not
only the sentiments OF the Jewish people, but also
Jewish History, and that preparations are making
for reply from some quarter, that will exhibit the
Hebrews of this city in much more disnified atti-
tude than that in which Mr.. Noah impudently at
tempted to place them. We should not be at al
surprised if that learned and talented clergy
man, Mr.. Isaacs, of the Elm street con-
gregation, should be the organ for correct
ing the Misrepresentation Of Mr.. Noah.
And if such selection should be made, no doubt
the work will be done in very effectual manner.
MIR. lsaacs is a man of great erudition, intimately
acquainted with the history Of his race, and is
every way competent 10 expose and correct
the gross inaccuracies, blunders, absurd conjec-
lures and silly ideas put forth by Mr. Noah
So, therefore, it would appear that Mr.. Noah has
excited equally the disapprobation ard contempt
Of Jews and Christians The Hebrews re-
pudiate his views entirely, and, indeed, we
were quite prepared for this evidence of his un-
popularity with his ownsect, in consequence of OBJ
serving the very sparse attendance Iof Jews at the
lecture. In fact, the only quarter OF any note in
which Mr. Noah appears to have found any favor,
is one in which some might have supposed he
would not have been particularly euccessful This
apologst and eulogist of Mr.. Noah, is no less
parsonage than the Rev David Hale, who happen
ed to let out the Tabernacle on that occasion, and
was therefore interested to certain extent in the
twenty-five cents head collected at the door,
But then the endorsement which Mr. Hale gives
to Mr. Noah, of course amounts to no more than the
endorsement which he frequently gives to Etho-
peaa Minstrels," and "Negro Serenaders," and
"Bell Ringers" or any other exhibitors Of rare
gifts that may happen TO want the Tabernacle at