The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-25
RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.


youthful manhood, aud rector OF st. Thomas Epis-
copal Church, Broadway. The city at that time
was not so large or populous as it is now. Neither
was il SO wealthy. Upper " Tendon" had not ex-
tended itself much above Waverley place, and
scarcely reached beyond Uuion square.
AT the period to which we refer the country was
in a crisis-something like the present. There was
an awful state of expansion in paper money ana in
the credit system. Real estate, labor and living
were all at fabulous prices; but the high tide was
beginning to ebb. DIR. Hawks, then, as now, was
considered one of the most eloquent divines in the
city. The pews in st, Thomas Church were eagerly
sought for, at high prices, and were crowded every
Sabbath with the elite of wealth and fashion Of the
city.
The Doctor at that time exhibited more of the
fire, animation and action Of eloquence than at
present. He had then, or soon after, embarked in
an educational institution at Ravenswood, Long
Island, called st. Thomas Hall, of which he was
the principal. The expensive scale upon which it
was managed, combined with the fall OF number
of the Doctors lishioi3ers and patrons induced by
the great revulsion of ls36-'37, not only swamped
the institution, but left the Doctor heavily en-
barrassed. After temporary absence from the
city, at the South, the Doctor was persuaded by his
old friends TO return to New York, where he had
always been favorite and where he ultimately be
came the Rector Of Calvary Church, Fourth avenue.
where he still remains.
The first church erected under this name was
small wooden frame building in Fourth avenue be-
tween Twenty second and Twenty-third streets,
which still remains, and is used as sort OF Eoisco
pal free chapel. The Rev. Mr.. Pyne, who inclined
TO the high church doctrines Of Dr. Pussy, for
time its pastor but subsequently became rector or
pastor, of ST. Johns church, Washington, in which
it has been customary for most of the Presidents and
heads of departments to occupy pews. The last
time we eyer saw the Hon. John Quincy Adams at
church was in this edfice, under the preaching of
Mr.. Pyne. We have seen Martin Van Buren,, John
Tyler, James X. Polk, General Scott, and several
prominent naval and military officers, in the same
church, at different periods. Mr.. Pyne was also at
one period chaplain to of the houses Of Con-
gress.
The pulpit of the then unpretending Calvary
church was afterwardsedb by the Rev Mr.. Southland,
son of the Hon. S. l.. Southland, Of New Jersey, who
at one period occupied the post of Secretary of the
Navy. Under the minstrations of Mr.. Southard of
low church tendencies, the congregation of Calvary
increased His unaffected piety, amiable deport-
ment, yet earnest zeal and devotion to his work,
rendered his lab0rs quite successful.
II was during his illustrations that the town be.
gan to fill up around the church, and upper tendon
made further progress towards Madison square and
Murray HILL The wooden built chapel was found too
small and inconvenient for its worshippers.
Plans were set on foot to erect q new church, and
architects and builders were consulted. The best
church was wanted that could be procured for the
money subscribed. Mr. Renwick was finally engag.
ed to supply plans and give out the work. in connec-
ton with parsonage house adjoining. The result
THAT In the course of twelve eighteen months
the present brown stone Gothic pile, with two
a N Wnn cfnnr 1na yyoC cd
capable OF holding two or three thousand persons.
One Of the steeples, when partially erected, was
blown down In July, 1850, during storm-the same
In which Mrs. Margaret Fuller dOssoli was lost the
coast of Long Island. The church was supplied
with neat stained glass windows and black walnut
pews. When completed it was found that its actual
thus became embarrassed under mortgapes &c snu
Mr.. Southland having accepted call to preside
over a church at Newark, N. j., and changed his
residence, made room for another incumbent The
church had now become central to rapidly growing
and wealthy nejghborhood. TWAS convenient tothe
aristocratic classes Of the Fifth avenue, who sighed
for good church, supplied with an efficient and
popular preacher. Finally steps were taken by the
admirers of Dr. Hawks to relieve the church OF en-
barrassments, and to pay off DR.. Hawks debts, and
secure him handsome salary, on condition that he
would become the regular minister OF the church,
which he, without hesitation, accepted.
The Doctor, it is said was at one time, elected
Bishop of Rhode Island, but he declined to accept
the appointment, the ground of refusal being the
Island friends reminded him of the promise made in
the scriptures-that "God would feed the young ra-
vens." The doctor replied that this was true, but
that he had nowhere seen promise "to feed young
Hawks"
Calvary is now one of the most fashionable and
crowded churches in the city. 1t has fine, large
led by Mrs. Bostwick. Indeed, on some occasions,
the music seems to US too arstca to harmonic with
the proper solemnity Of worship.
The practice of adhering to Gothic architecture in
pnnIa OH chao ,pl 10 a nnicf 10 fha
time of its early introduction in Europe, the church
service consisted Of little else than chanting sing
ing The sermon was brief and secondary matter.
The high interior Gothic arches are admirable for
music, but very unfavorable for the voice Of the
minister. In modern times the sermon has, in Pro-
testant churches, become by far the most important
part Of the service and the music secondary to it.
The consequence is that it is very difficult to hear
the preacher in Gothic churches This il particu-
larry the case in Trinity church. The Gothic arches
and columns of Calvary also interfere with the sound
of DR.. Hawks voice.
On last Sunday forenoon we paid visit to Calva
ry Church to hear the doctor. Although some of
the wealthy pewholders had departed for the coun-
Try yet the church, as usual was pretty well filed
We found that the hand of time had began to leave
its marks on the doctor, whose age cannot be very
far from hity. The upper part of his head is now
bald, but his dark, round and piercing eyes retain
eight inches, and of late years exhibits rather
fuller habit than formerly. His features, when COM
posed, are placid, expressive, kind and benevolent,
with palish and rather salow lSok. During his
discourse, however, they became flushed as his
voice increased and his manner became more
animated. AS minister he is plain spoken, and
not given to fatter his fashionable auditors, who,
nevertheless, are much attacked to him. We heard
him on one occasion excls2kng very warmly against
the prevalent sins Of fasEsssble life when he final
ly concluded by saying that he should feel despised
in the sight Of God aud hate himself if he did not
speak the whole truth; and If they could not hear
the truth, delivered to them in all sincerity kindness
and earnestness 1t would be best for them to dis
charge him and employ some one else.
Last Sabbath, as usual, he read the Less )ns in a
fine, full toned and well modulated voice. empha-
sizing his sentences with remarkable propriety
He took short text from the New Testament in
the following words =" He that belieyeth not is
condemned already" The doctor handled the sub
jects In a clear and practical manner. He held
that simple unbellef laid at the very foundation of
all irregon. Without faith not the first step could