The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-04
American and Foreign Christ1an Union.
RECEPTION nE REV. Oh. KIRK.


RECEPTION OF REV. DIR. KIRK.
general meeting OF all persons friendly 70 the estab
shment chapel in Paris for the benefit Of American
citizens visiting temporarily residing in that great city,
held last evening in the Mercer street Presbyterian
church The occasion Of unusual interest," as was
known that Rev. Dr. Kirk, who has recently returned
from Paris, would be present, and would communicate
interesting information expecting the commence
ment, progress, gpresent condition and pros
poets of the work, and also Of the religious
condition Of Central and Southern Europe The church
was crowded and the proceedings were listened TO with
the deepest attention. The meeting was opened with
prayer by Rev DR. Bangs Of the Methodist church, after
which Rev Or. Kirk introduced and addressed the
audience substantially follows was he said, pecu
arly pleasing and gratifying know that the Scriptures
were more generally read throughout France than for
meriy The influence of evangelical religion was rapidly
extending and day of hope dawning the French
people Yet, with all this influence with all this extension
Of evangelical religion much to be deplored that in
many instances il was difficult to prevent the trades
people from working the sabbath This found to be
the in regard 10 the erection OF church. the men
insisting upon being employed Sunday The difficulty,
however, was met at last and remedied-the men were
paid for ceasing from labor that day II was fact,
found almost impossible 10 impress the French popuace
with an idea of the sanctty of the Sabbath Yet they
a fine people frank, simple, kind hearted, and
where under the influence of true religion they
almost everything that could be desired Thus much for
establishment Of church for Americans in Paris. The
idea Of erecting such edce originated with the speaker
1880 but he at first in doubt to whether his field
of labor lay in that city in America He not long,
however, in deciding that the interests Of religion
demanded his exertons and energy in Paris,
and under that conviction he entered upon the
work there, He had ascertained that the num-
Der of American visitors and residents in that capital
largely increasing, and Of the latter less than two hun
bred and nifty students. In view OF these facts he
considered himself not only justified but bound by his
religious obligations to prosecute the work in which he
had He Cd hnuav hat tg
efforts met with GOODNESS and encouragement by
those who should have operated with him He endea
vored TO the religious feeling and respect of the
Americans Paris and although he had succeeded yet
the first he met threw cold water his endeavors. ON
conversing with Americans upon the subject he was d
rected 10 Dr Evans, who he told had interest in
church which might suit his purposes. The church
originally the property OF Dr. Luscombe, by whom it had
been erected and who DESTROYS of connecting 1t with
the British embassy The building some time after
presented for sale and DR. Evans offered purchase it,
b Tie British portion of the community opposed TO
the disposal OF this manner. the ground that
the property Of the British Under these cir
cumstances impossible at the time to arrive at
conclusion least until the arrival Of the speaker Dr
Kirk Paris ON his reaching that city he had inter
with Lord Cowey, who informed him Of the state Of
feeling the subject entertained by the British commu-
nifty. Lord Cowey expressed his belief that it
the property OF his governmtn ut, and that the
right of the last tenant was merely nominal The
building which is situated in the Rue dAguerseau
Inspected by DR. Kirk whose impression was rather IN
favorable regarding II. The building and the locality
not Of that description which he could have desired
He learned that would require thousands Of dollars
for repairs Further consideration OF the matter deter
mined him on selecting another locality and on building
edhce The site selected for the purpose is in the
Rue de Berry TO the Barriere dEoie. II pur
chased from lady, with whom he had some difficulty in
making bargain, because Of her demand for pin money
independent Of the price demanded for the ground How
ever, the land obtained without tho pin money
The site had been obtained, but the money
CURED for the erection Of suitable edce In this difficulty
pledge obtained from the American churches for
els 600 and with this amount the architect agreed 10
commence the work He was met by another difficulty at
this stage OF the enterprisehe was informed that for
egn could not own churches IN France and
that the Catholic churches ia that country owned
by the government On due consideration he resolved
owning the church himself although in accordance with
The laws Of France the subject the OF 81 500 would
be due the al his decease while the
should be paid the death ~ each Of his
ors This xedy the o Napoleon For the purpose
meeting this difficulty he had insured his life for 81 all
Of which had been devoted 10 the 81 the debt when
should become due. Al the time the speaker left Paris,
the building nearly finished and II promised 10 be
handsome ednce, and well adapted TO the purpose He
informed by letter from Of its members that
permanent minister has not been decided Mr.. Hall
ociaes For the completion Of the eddce be asked
the assistance OF all good Christians, and he felt that he
would not make the appeal in vain TO Americans
The meeting next dressed by Rev. Mr. TYING, of
Philadelphia, who presented a resolution IN favor of
taking up collecton for the benefit OF the work Tie
resolution adopted after which the following
Resolved. That the establishment in Paris by the
American and Foreign Christian Union, of an American
chapel with evangelical pastor devoted 10 the moral
and religious instruction and spiritual welfare Of Ameri
object which has long been needed and ardent
rous cg,ous denominations whose domestic social
relations business transactions require them, their
children their friends IN yist temporarily 81 reside
In that city and this meeting halls with profound salts
faction The Of The Board Of Directors made
this occasion that the chapel edidce elgibly located
and convenient IN il arrangements, s nearly
pleted. and may be ready for use in a short time
Resolved That 10 the chapel service distinctive
denomnatsssl forms OF worship have any undue pre-
cmnenoc but the essential features 81 the forms and the
fundamental doctrines adopted by the reformed churches
in general retained and used that all evangelical
Christians therein unite In worshppng the God Of
their fathers ond substantially the way they worshped
there i strong inducemcnt 10 all American citizens 70
encourage the eStabshment and support Of that chapel
and lis service which is alike illustrative ~ the essential
unity q all evangelical denominations and honorable 10
the religious character of the American people.
Resolved That while institutions which have for their
object the moral and religious benefit Of American citizens
foreign lands haveaspects Of interest and obligation
common 10 every member Of the national fraternity aud
should be encouraged and sustained by all their
ses demand the American chapel 70 Paris In the ludg
ment Of this meeting. holds special relations % the
corfnercal community 81 this country: and is espe
ciaIly commepds the sympathy and patronage and
bcnevolenoo6ot highly respected and influential class
Of our fellow citizens.
Amer addresses from Rev. Dr Parker. Dr. Kennedy.
and Rev Nr. Presley ihe meeting adjourned
frov,r ne nah I'm nas.