The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-05-06
Mercer street Presby terisn Church.

TIE ANERfcAS AND FOREIGN CHURCH UNION SERMON.
Yesterday evening, the anniversary sermon
preached here by the Rev. Dr. Adams, who delivered
one Of the most eloquent oratons which Il has been
good fortune to hear but which II 4. impossible to
do adequate Justice TO within the limits Of this brief
notice. The reverend speaker after most beautiful
exordium, gave account Of Rome In her imperial
splendor, describing her wealth luxury magnihcencc
arms, arts eoquencs, temples md mythoy; claiming
TO give an impression made upon his mind by per.
sonai visit to that metropolis he exhibited the origin
OTTOMAN Catholicism, Roman imperialism, Roman
mythology and Roman art. lie then vent on to speak
OF the origin Of Christianity In Of the remote pro-
viness Of the Roman Empreits gradual progress to-
wards the capital In the second century Justin Mar
tyr writes his eloquent apology In behalf Of th.
Christians. Thulllon, son OF the Roman eeniu-
ran, publicly espouscs their cause The fourth
century arrives-Christisnty Is tolerated protected
and embraced. The Emperor assumes the name Of
Christian, and Constantine proclsims that hence
rtb the religion Of the Nararne is 10 be the pre-
dominant faith. The greatest ~ change tran
spires The acts of the church become identified with
the cdicts cf the Empire. when the Empire breaks,
the e,srgy rise 70 power. Do you ask says Dupsin.
o. ly answer w. because Rome In all imagination. IL
tie m'trtpolis of the world The very title used by
Augustus Cssar, rontinx Msximus. was assumed ~
the Fontif and ronue and pomp prodigality and dts
rlsy made the court OF ecclesiastical Rome outsbine
oil display thnt Rome IN the glory OF her
Eerullic The reverend gentleman then gave a
clear and elaborate description Of the transmission
of the Pagan MYTHOLOGY into the Papa system,
fortifying his position BY the classical testimony Of
Middleton. The old Greek statuary was baptised In
honor Of the Christian martyrs. The NEXT thing
10 show the prcdgshy of faith under the old mythoo
sy. snd the ssme IN cOnnexion with the ecclesiastical
system Another element Of power bequcsthed from
esnt Rome TO ecclesiastical Rene 10 the power OF the
srts; the speaker showed the power Of these.
the resson. but the nspinstion The several points
'nsb died In this discourse, Roman Imperialism. Ro-
msb M tholcgy. Roman art. transmitted into the
fi'ttnt religious system were illustrated by descrip
ton OF one oh.ct-the Bassiics Of St Peterserccted
an ipcalcunte espense; It's grand alone Informs
yu that was Int nd 10 b. the metropolitan church
ofthe world the long Of its courts corridors and
psvtments measured BY acres: its mighty dome swell
ng up ana up, like n second heaven. verifying
ibe boast OF Its srchitsct--'I will hang the
Pantheon In the air" The entrance Of the
Pcniih borne on the shoulders of men. preceded
by susrd sll Of noble pedigree. followed by pro-
cession of cardinals prestes bsbops. and on sls.
are stretching ausy snd away over the immense soor.
ebsBire their Latin lyrics they move the pentin
ssc'rdng his throne. and bieh born men bendss TO
ts hie foot While censers u incense waved before
him as before god. Who can he spectator - thls
rrd rot Tel that " somethinG than IN.
inn erisisn more 20 b Hkebed to the trfum phHnt
pie upon earth Observe the rit~s which f,llov-
iIrsdne Of flowers, and burning Of iamps strains Of
musc from invisible perfornersapd N the art Of
a.. old mythology gcoe Behold the products of art
that srchiec,urv Of altar pillar and srch-those pic-