The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-09-03
OPENING OF THE CrsY. CHvaohss.-when

despouc Tuief, iashpJn, placed opera singers
in the choirs, Crimson velvet in the pews
perfumed paEsors in the pulpits, and ele-
CANT trustees in the vestry chairs-more, ii
shut 10 the churches during the months of July |
ana August, and now the pastor takes tour
FOR bis health, the flock (without shepherd) |
wander to the spas, sprays and mountains, and |
the unfortunate wretches who cannot afford the |
luyuries which their richer brethren enjoy, are |
left to work out their salvation in some cheap |
er ard less fashionable temple. Such has been
the state Of things during this season, and
since the fifteenth day of July many CT the
up town churches have been closed.
But the thermometer has fallen ten or fifteen
cool, it begins to think about rs religious d.
ties. The sins at the watering places must be
absolved, we must have some prayers for better
times, and some new music from the Kerpel-
neister. So the churches will commence the
season to-day. Once moro the gothic interiors
will resou2d with the solemn peal of the organ,
mir gled with the rich strains of vocal music
cace more the luxurious pews will be filed with
bright faces and elegant costumes-once more
the pastor will preach the word of God.
The occasion is enc of considerable impor-
lance, inagnuch as Il is an incontrovertible fact
that one-4hird of the people in New York pay
attention to the MinistratioEs Of religion and
as a natural conse luence there is great power,
either for good,'or evil, placed in the hands of
the clergy. We have recently seen this power
abused by mrmber of misgtsded preachers in
New England who presumed to interfere in
political mattrs, carryiEgus back two hundred
years when, in the samesection of the coun-
Try all Roman Catholics Episcopalisns, Qua
kers, Anabaa lists, and other followers OF the
Evil One. J" were debarredfco having any voice
in town Affairs, on account of their religious
opinions. Although the Nebraska protest of
the New England clergJmen was received by
all the sensible men IN the country with the
contempt and scorn It SO justly merited, ye.
the fact O. its existence too clearly shows that
the same bgoted ecclesiastical spirit that con-
vulsed Europe in the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries is not entirely extinct, even in re-
publican America, enlightened by the inven-
ton Of Steam, the magnetic telegraph and other
improvements upon old fogyism, introduced
during the nineteenth century.
The rclergymen of this city generally pay
attention to their aocks, and leave political
affairs in the hands Of those to whom the people
have delegated the power to manage them.
This is cOmmendable, and we trust that we
shall never have occasion to chronicle depar-
ture from the rule. At this time there is no
lack Of topics for effective, earnest, practical
sermons The war in Europe, the commercial
depression in the United States, the cholera,
many minor Affections, will prove powerful
arguments in skilful hands to direct the atten-
ton of the lukewarm or the scePtical to high
and holy things.
People hardly ever call upon the Deity for
assistance in prosperous times-two or three
years like 1862 and 1858 would 60 far toward
making US nation Of infdels-but when the
storm Of adversely lowers upon their heads
the most irreligious are ready tocry 80, Lord!
believe help thou naine unbelef" 1t may
be considered that we treat the subject in an
entirely unitarian point of view but that men
sre too apt to forget their Creator in prosperity,
and to think that they have always been very
good Christians, when they need the consola-
tons Of religion to heal the spirit wounded by
adversely, is practical fact, which no sophis.
try can wipe out.
In the name Of people, then, suffering from
series Of calamities, we call upon the clergy
Of New York to do their duty, and faithfully to
follow the example of their Lord and Master,
the essence AID aim of whose mission was,
"Peace on earth-gOcd will towards all men,"
Let them ignore politics altogether-they are
sto be settled at the ballot box, not within the
rails of the altar. Let them bind up the wound
ed and soothe the broken heartfelt them COM
fort the mourners, visit the sick, feed the hun
CRY, clothe the naked, encourage the depressed,
and use the powers given them for the we'll
accomplishing of their legitimate and proper
mission. Let them "use all gently" and finally
remember the description of Goldsmith's village
PASTOR
And as bird each fond endearment tries
To tempt its new fedged offspring to the skies
He tiled each art, repToved each dull delay,
Allur'd to brighter worlds and led the way.
1t would be well for the cause of religion, if
a pastors-whether in city or country town
or village, suburb or hamlet-were equally
pious, unpretending, energetic and sincere. The
clergy Of this city have good winters work
before them, and we trust that they are all
ready to commence it with clean hands and
earnest hearts.
VERMONT WIG PLATFoRM.-The State cleo |
ton in Vermont comes off on Tuesday the 9Th |
instant. The wings, with the aid Of the free
soilers, expect to carry the State. The follow
ing is heir platform :
The restoration of freedom to Kansas and |
Nebraska.
The rights Of the North.
The redemption Of Vermont.