The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1857-12-12
A WEEK IN NEW YORK.
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENTS.
NEW YORK, Deer 9rd, 1857.

Although may reach home as soon as
this letter, | wish while impressions are
fresh, and before these passing scenes fade
from nv memory, to make a pen and INK
Of them. l cannot hope' how
ever, to make this hurried sketch Of one OF
the most pleasant visits of my life as inter
esting to others, as the reality has been
n me: still there are those who can symPa-
tbise in the occasional pleasures which
weary editor snatches in his recreatiye ex-
eursions, and who like to read even hasty
descriptions of them.
THANKSGIVING DAY.
Thursday, Nov. 26th, was observed by
aeenty-one States of the Union as day of
worship and thanksgiving to the Glyer OF
all GOOD, for the blessings Of peace, health
fruitful seasons, and the preservation Of
those civil and religious institutions which
have advanced our country to such height
of prosperity and power among the nations
Of the earth. The day was precisely such
an one as old George Herbert so pleasantly
describes, when he says
.Syveet day, so cool so calm, so bright,
The BRIDAL of the earth and sky.
The air was '.frOsty but kindly" just the
temperature to quicken differentiation, brace
the nerves, and exhilarate the spirits, while
it suggested to the generous heart the ne
eessity of remembering those whose poverty
precluded all enjoyment of comfortable fire
sides, and thanksgiving turkies at dinner.
/ was not prepared for such general OBJ
seryance of the day as was apparent the
moment | issued from the St. Nicholas for
an early stroll along Broadway. The shops
and stores we're closed, very few even OF the
restaurants we're open, the public offices
were shut, the courts were without lawyers or
clients, the din of rushing wheels was hush
ed, and the mighty tide of life that usually
Gibbs and flows along that great thorough
fare was no longer visible. But as the day
advanced, though all places Of public bust
ness were still closed, the sidewalks and
streets became thronged, and while multi
tudes we're fastening to the courts of the
Lords house, there to pay their VOWS and
offer their thanksgiving in memory OF his
GREAT goodness, it was evident enough that
immense numbers were making preparation
to spend the day in any thing but religion;
manner. Same were Fastening to the cOun-
try intent on various sports and pastimes;
military companies hurried along on their
yay to some rural rendezvous for target
practice; while thousands Of pupils of the
public schools were OCT, all jubilaut in the
determination to make the best Of their
bright holiday. The Roman Catholics did
not observe the day, but all Of the Protest
ant churches were open at II o'clock, and
some of the Jewish synagogues. Chief
Rabbi, Dr. Fischel, preached in the Portu-
guese synagogue, and DR.. Raphell Of the
Green Street Synagogue told his audience
that while Judaism and Christianity were
nominally the faith and worship Of the coun-
try, the majority made the dollar their high
priest, self their God, and cupidity their law.
A stranger in New York desiring to worship
in Protestant church, would naturally he
state as to where to direct his steps when
he had the opportunity of hearing but one
of so many eloquent and excellent diyines,
but to a Virginian there is something at
tractiye in the name of ALEXANDER, and to
one who personally knew and loved the pas
tor of the 9TH Avenue and 18th Street
Church, who both bears and honors that We
uerated name, the selection was easily made.
Arriving at the church, found it well
filed, and the service just commencing. l
do not like to comment on prayers, even in
the way of commentator, but that which
DIR. Alexander offered, previous to the SER
mon, was exceeded by none in which it was
ever my privilege to unite, for reverence,
tenderness, comprehensiveness, and appro-
priateness to the occasion. The subject of
his discourse was the necessity of the Bible
as a textbook in common schools-not a
textbook as affording mere reading exer-
cises, but as the book from which the teacher
who had due appreciation Of the dignity
of his calling, should deduce and ineulcate
those great principles which lie at the foun-
dation of all individual, social, and national
prosperity, and which alone can prepare
immOrtals for the happiness and glory re-
served for the good in eternity. The DR..
quoted from a recent sermon Of Archbishop
Hughes, and argued that as Romanists now
advocated total severance of their con-
nection with the public schools, the Protest
ants would henceforth have no excuse for
excluding the Bible from these institutions,
on the ground of the unfairness Of using a |
version which Papists could not tolerate.
The singing in DR.. AIexander's church is
strictly congregational. The organ is placed
behind the pulpit, and used |
only as an accompaniment; and l do not
see how any man, however much prejudiced
he may be against instrumental music in the
house of God, could find anything to object
to in an organ as it is employed in DR..
church.