The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-12-27

teresting to know how, exactly how, New York
spends its Sabbeths, particularly when we re-
member that there are not churches enough to
seat one half the population Of the metropolis,
and that the places of worship which are open
are with few exceptions never more than half
filed. The Roman Catholics are very constant
in their attendance at church, but the poor Pro-
testans generally finds the temple too fine, the
congregation too much impregnated with mann
mon worship and toe splendid in attire for the
proper understanding Of the dispensation Of Him
who was meek and lowly and had no place to lay
his head. So the poor Protestant falls into loose
habits on Sunday. He reads novels or sleeps,
and is speedily accounted among the ungodly
that are to be cast into the outer darkness where
there is weeping, and wailing, and crashing Of
teeth.
The churches as well as the theatres have fol-
lowed the fashionable movement up town. On
all the avenues may be found religious ediffces
generally more expensive than tasteful-more
showy than comfortable suggestive of the
pomps and vanities Of this wicked world than Of
the pure and holy precepts which should be in
culcated within their walls. The gorgeousness
Of the edifce-the magnidcence of the congre-
gation--the Pecksnifian discourse Of the fashion
able preacher-the gems from the last improper
opera worked into sacred music for the choir
all these are the elements of religion after the
modern improved style.
Fashionable religion Is generally good specu-
lation in pecuniary point of view. The pews
are sold at auction after the fashion that Bar
mum disposed of the choice seats to hear
Jenny Lind. Very large sums are
Melted in this way. Occasionally, the fashionable
churches burst like other mercantile specula-
tons. One Of the most exclusive, situated in the
Fifth avenue, is now in tight place, financially
speaking. 1t is heavily in debt, and in danger Of
being sold out by the Sheriff 1t is Baptist
church, but the preacher is not exactly the type
OF him who preached in the wilderness of Judea.
His raiment is not of camel's hair, but Of the
finest broadcloth; his meat is something more
than locusts and wild honey the
water of his Jordan comes from far away in the
country, and is carefully warmed for fear that
the faithful might take cold in immersion He
does not cry Repent ye, for the kingdom Of
heaven is at hand" but he breaches pleasant
dulcet discourses, showing the whitest of hands
the most immaculate of pocket handkerchiefs-
the most splendid of ambrosial curls. He is q
sweet preacher for the ladies' and thoroughly
the diuetantim of modern Chris
tianity. Decidedly, John the Baptist would be
at his Fifth avenue representative.
It is to be hoped that the bulls and bears of Wall
street will forget their quarrels for awhile, and
come down handsomely for the relief of the
modern John the Baptist.
1t is curious fact that the reformation was
brought about by theluxury corruption and effemi-
macy which crept into the bosom of the mother
church, and that now those who profess Protestant
ism, are following in the same evil courses against
which Knox, Calvin and Luther launched their
In simplicity of attire, abstinent habits
Of life and devotion to the interests of their
focks, the Catholic clergy now stand pre-eminent.
On the other hand, the representatives of the
stern old Puritans, who could not bear the sight
Of surplice, are turning away to all sorts Of
There is no more of the solid old
Cotton Mather piety left among us. There are
velvet cushions, artistic music, sweet preachers
nicely worded somnolent discourses, worshippers
rolled up in Russian sables and loaded with da-
monds, splendid churches, where the atmosphere
is redolent with perfumes, and the very light
shaded with many colored tints, heavy doasIs
debts, crushing mortgages, but not drop Of the
mamma Of righteousness, unless poor sinner foe
a moment, under fear of the mighty sexton, Of
fers up his lonely prayer in free seat Such is
fashionable religion in New York in these latter
days. Read Christs sermon on the Mount, and
let us have fashionable discourse, with the
thirteenth verse for text.