The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-01-08

Among the sermons reported in our columns
yesterday are three which are strongly iudica-
tive Of the tendency Of the times. DR..
Cheever comes out in the character of con-
stitutional lawyer, the "nigger," of course, as
usual, constituting the burden Of his song. DR..
Marsh gives evidence that, whatever be his
qualifications as an expounder Of gospel
truth, he is by no means out Of his sphere when
dealing with grogshops and the working Of the
Excise law. Mr.. Smyth, with that broad, gene
rous catholicity for which he is so distinguished
finds congenial theme in the Ocean Yacht
Race and reads lesson Of daring and perse-
verancs in matters spiritual 70 this lukewerm
and Indifferent generation. IL would be inter-
esting to 60 over their sermons in detail, point
ing out their various excellences and noting
tho spiritual qualifications of the respective
preachers. DR.. Cheover, in this his latest OK
hibition, il as witty as he Is learned. So face
tious, indeed, does the doctor become that in
reading his sermon we feel disposed at times
to 6nd fault with our reporter for omitting TO
note, In their respective places, 'laughter" and
"cheers." We are not sure what the congrega-
tion which Is wont to assemble In the Church
Of the Puritans may have to say to the pro-
posal, but we humbly think that it might be Of
some national advantage to appoint the rev.
erend doctor constitutional lecturer to Con-
grcss. Considering the helplessness and in
competency which the Board Of Excise have
recently manifested, 1t might not be out Of
place to call In the assistance Of the Rev. DR..
Marsh. His keen eye and special know
ledge might be the means Of introducing
some beneficial changes where Improvement
IL SO necessary. As for Mr.. Smyth, we arc sur
prised that his great abilities are not more
fully appreciated. II the New Workers. were
alive to their own interests they would erect
Plymouth chapel on this side the river and
permanently secure the services Of man who
has already given evidence Of talent scarcely
second to that Of Beecher himself
We notice these sermona, however, chiefly
because they seem TO us to Indicate growing
tendency Of the times. An apostle once can
tioniug young teacher against some oil the
evils incident 10 his Office. and reminding him
that his special duty was with word and doc
trine as applied to the souls Of his bearers, adj
dressed him in those words:---aGlve- myself
wholly TO these thinga" But II r. long since
then. Time works sad changes. The world
has grown wiser since the apostle spoke 70 bis
young friend. The clergy are no excep-
ton. They have become wiser and they are
no longer backward to avow It There are
other things to which they may give heed.
Why should they be bound down by old and
obsolete dogmasi The gospel, it seems ceases
to be interesting. Why should they be blind
to the truth! There is nothing, in fact, too
new for the pulpit. The greater the novelty
the filter the theme. Everything 10 tried.
Politics, however, Is the most popular.
We remember the time when liquor
itself seemed to have lost Its charm
and when the sin Of the "Pewter
Mug" in certain well known street, indicated
that under its shadow the liquors were sea-
soned with politics. The "Pewter Mug grog-
shop became the rage. But this was not 10 be
borne. II might be inconvenient to make the
aPewter Mug" the universal sign, but there
vas no inconvenience at all In the general oon-