The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-05-08

- 1scssUsO8 Ao0uw0Eo0TlCos
The religious world Of New York, as is GUS
tommy at this season Of the year, is awakened
into little temporary vitality. The anniyor-
saries are in full blast. Representatives OF the
dfic ,cnt societies have come uD TO Ibis city,
from all parts OF the Union. fully primed foe
the occasion. Lectures and addresses, some
OF them good, some Of them excellent, some OF
them ordinary, are being delivered with appro-
baton to audiences not too difficult to please.
Reports are being read, sone Of them more,
some Of them less encouraging; bat all Of them
revealing certain nobleness Of purpose on
the part Of the respective societies and Ger
tain hightoned confidence in the power and
prospects Of Christianity, both at home and
abroad.
We are disposed TO look kindly on these
anniversary meetings. We believe that under
proper management they are eminently fitted
to do good. The fine free air of public opinion
is always healthful-never injurious to cause
truly excellent If any one thing ought to be
able to stand inspection in the clear light of
day it should be religion. Hole-and-coner
work might be suitable enough for medieval
times. but It is not adapted to the later years
Of the nineteenth century. There is no salts
factory reason known 10 US why the managers
of the more secular affairs of religious societies
should not give an account Of their steward
ship, and why their doings should not be as
amenable to criticism as any other class Of
public men. Nor is it possible to deny that
the tendency of able addresses and reports, not
to speak of the inspiring Influence Of large
assemblies. is 70 communicate noble impulses
and to bsget ever-enlarging endeavor.
Managed Is they are, however, these meet
ings have their drawbacks. Sometimes it is
difficult 10 resist the conviction that Of giving
and doing thore is q little unnecessary parade
Humility, Of ali things, is most becoming in
every department Of Christian effort Unhap-
PLY, however, il rs often conspicuous by Its
absence. Afsrreading the accounts Of the en-
niversary meetings. now being held in the city.
We cannot cay Of all Of them that they are en-
titled TO exemption from the above charge.
Sometimes, too, we notice that the programme
of topics 10 be discussed is unnecessarily large,
and not specially marked with evidence Of
good taste. The same may be said Of the adj
dresses. Speakers range at will over wide
and varied field; nor is 1t always hard to per-
ceive in the sacred orator, even when con-
fessedly engaged in sacred work, Hnmistakable
signs Of the old leaven of humanity. A slight
ebuIlition Of temper, a good hard hit, even a
ding are not deemed offences by the
orator himself; and If we are to judge from the
given, are net unappreciated
by the audience. These things ought not to
be. AL things ought to be done .lecently and
in order. Parade in holy things is unbecoming
and ought to be avoided. The graces recon-
mended should not be wanting in those who
them. The proper province of
Christianity is so large, and the work 10 be
done is 80 great that 1t is as absurd as it is un-
the clergy confine themselves to their own
proper calling; let the various religious socie-
ties limit their sphere Of action, define their
duties and concentrate their energies, and sue
cess will attend them more and more. In pro-
portion, however, as they step aside from their
own sphere Of duty, and attempt to do what
can better be done by Others, they not only
leave portion of their own proper work un-
done, they neutralize the good influence Of
that which they do. In this generation OF
political preaching and novel writing parsons
the exhoriation Of an apostle to q young divine
Of that day has lost none Of its point-"Give
myself wholly 10 these things"