New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-02
Az UNHAPPY REPUTATION.


made himself notorious some time ago by ser.
mon in defense of Slavery, seems to rest uneasy
under that crown of distinction. There were rumors
some time since that the reverend gentleman was
waited upon by an anxious crowd, about the
time when surprise parties of That sort were IN
fashion and invited to show his cOlors; and
either because he did not lappen-as was not
Mr.. Benefits case-tO have Palmetto nag
about the house, or because he Thought, as
others did on like occasious-though shown in
different way-that discretion was the better part
of valOr, he run up no standard, and made no
appearance, but procured a friend to plead sick
ness for him instead. He was permitted to re-
main in peace. and might have continued undi--
turbed, had he been so minded TO this hour.
But that does not suit Mr.. Van Dyke. With
mob at the door, the safest measure was con-
cealment, and the readiest excuse, that which
opera-sngers and clergymen avail themselves
of so frequently--a sudden indispositon; but
with this clergyman, at least, as with many
opera singers, bis notes are all the clearer for
little temporary observation. lie came out two
or three weeks ago in that sympathetic Journal,
The N. j. Obserssr with q card, in which he
informed the world that he did " not sympathizc
" with the fierce war spirit which is abroad IN
" the land" but that he had said nothing IN The
pulpit either in censure or approval OF the policy
of the Government. 1t is 10 be presumed that
to make this declaration was a matter Of great
interest to Mr.. Van Dyke, as il is hardly
TO be presumed that even be could be SO far
mistaken IA to the estimation in which The pub
lie now hold him and al his class, Us to suppose
that they cared what his thought. or sympatheS
were. provided he was careful not ia make him
self offensive By their production in the pulpit.
A memorandum from q gentleman who has
been recently travelling of the South las brought
Mr. Van Dyke and his course 10 our minds
We refer to it, not for his sake, but for The
sake of Others, for be doubtless is entirely con-
scious that his Nemesis has oyertnken han rs
swiftly as surely. But there is scripture
which warns us against pitch lest SO be deblel,
and it viii be ne text, perhaps for some reaec-
tons, not by the pastor, but by the people when
the Res. Mr.. Van Dyke next appears before hs
congregation. Our informant, IS We just said
has been travelling at the South, and recently
found himself on the South Carolina Railroad
running cut to the interior Of tie State. In the
seat near him sat reverend gentleman and
friend and the discourse fell presently upon the
Rev. Mr. Van Dyke The la brother inquired
of the brother clerical if be had ever heard that
celebrated divine The reply was affirmative. An
opinion was then asked, which, after some hens
and halls IN accordance with not uncommon
clerical manner, was youchFaied. He condcsccnd-
ed first to affirm that he could excuse good
deal that the Rev. Mr.. Van Dyke might say
about the Palmetto fag from which, we judge,
that that reverend gentleman who can tolerate
almost any thing, Southern, is not pleased with
the original Secession banner-that he would
allow him more latitude than could be given 10
any other minister from the North, because Of
his bold and able defense of our peculiar in
"stitutiOn." The report thus far, of the conycr-
sation will be gratifying to Mr.. Van Dykes
friends, ond not unexpected to the public gen.
orally. Not 80, probably with what il TO follow,
which Will certainly no. DO expected BY the
friends of the reverend gentlemans friends,
though possibly there are son'e persons among the
general public who viii be- Ili-aatUred enough TO
receive from it some malicious qualification.
"Mr. Van Dyke" said The clerical critic, Zone
" could easily see, had been in the habit Of adj
" dressing coarse, vulgar audiences-was unaccus-
- toned to addressing intelligent and refined
" an audience as he had at Charleston We beg
Mr.. Van Dykes usual congregation not to be
offended with us for repeating this observation.
We may remark upon it, by way of consolo-
ton TO those agerievcd Christians, that there are
two replies TO be made TO it-frst, the critic |
himself may not be good judge IN question /
Of culture; and secondly, any. deduction drawn |
from an inspection of the pastor TO the charac-
ter of the flock is no more legitimate conclusion
than that " he who drives fat oxen shonld him. |
/" self be fat" Bot further, our informant says,
L was objected that Dir. Van Dyke must be
- ia the habit of clicitiug appliance, and that b.
- was very much disappointed in not hearing the
. responses whenever he had made good point,
. as he evidently expected it, by stopping mo.
. ment after he had made the point" Whether
his charge be true as 10 the congregation We
,ery much doubt; and if il be true as to the
,astor, some of hia friends had better take him
n hand and cure Liia of it. We do not know
ow long Dir. Van Dykes congregation may be
onsidered as not necessarily coarse and vulgar,
and unreiined, Notwithstanding their
oleraton Of the sermons he breaches; but va
70 quite sure they viii not long have any Chris
ian reputation to stand on ii they indulge in
uch an indecorum as applause.