The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-30


TO with earnest attsntiea.
Rev. John Cotton Smith gave the opening address,
After going somewhat ct length into the history Of the
various voluntary benevolent assocations he defined
the objects and laboss Of the Diocesan Committee OF the
American Church Missionary Society. He nentioned
their iabors a. great and the necessity for tAsm
GREATER but chief Of all - wanting the proper means 70
Rev Mr. Lsacock rectoro the Church OF the Epiphany
explained the labors OF the COMMITTEES in question:
There were forty missionaries and three Bible readers
their abos were confined to the tenement houses and
In this connection the speaker gave painfully graphic
description OF these abodes Of our poor population
There were fifteen thousand oil this class Of houses with
an average Of thirty occupants Many out OF en-
ploy msnt and nearly the point of
He described their moral condition equally bad.
Sabbath school had been organized In connection with his
church. which almost In the centre of the tenement
house district Of the city, and 4 was elssting m1n
and others through the tracts and religious papers
given the children TO take TO their homes
Rev. Mr.. Riley, in charge Of tho santiago church.
attended by the Spanish residents OF the city, and where
the exercise in the Spanish language gave inter-
estlng account Of the progress OF missionary work
growing field open for benevolent and Christian work,
and made powerful appeal TO this end.
Rev. DIR. Tying the closing speaker, gave his testi
mony 10 the good being accomplished by this organiza
tion and urged . liberal contribution in its support.
He took the ground that the only way the good people
the city can save from the future anarchi
cal rule Of the wicked is the evangeizaton OF the
latter This he confessed was great work. but insisted
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church.
Last evening service commenced At the Methodist
Episcopal Church. in Thirty fourth street. between
Seventh and Eighth avenues at halfpast O'Clock.
the proceedings opened with the one tfousandth and
hftyeghth hymn. which harmoniousiy sung BY the
congregation accompanied by the organ. The Rev G.
Lord then assembled tho pulpit and preached sermon
very appropriate 10 the The reverend gente
fr,k - D~~I~ r
Joshua and twelfth verse;: Sun, stand thou still
Gideon, and thou In the valley Of Atjaion.n In
selecting those words he wished to impress upon tho
congregation the importance OF the value OF time Our
present existence In Its brevity like the tIn Of the
sun in autumn, . few pulsat,ons Of quivering hight.
TINS OF purple and gold and then all was
perish and then We lie down with pale hands across our
lfeess breast and the solemn darkness OF eternity
streams down. and before each one Of Us
for annihiation sleep. JOY Or sorrows We ask tho
he shines 70 the future, but the gives back
her way, but no response is received All wore slsnt
all nature silent Sixty centuries had passed away
and no voice had been found 70 penetrate the awful
depth Of the future How natural tho instinct with
which bid US cling TO life. a. II impressed with con-
scousness that We wero not prepared 70 de-as II life
stand tnou still on Gbson" Strange inconsistency; for
while al men wished 70 prolong their Ives. and while
the great mass Of men would even shudder a tho
squandsred the years. months and days that lay between
them and death. rhs youth anxious TO arrive at
mans estate; the desired 10 reach the acme Of his
ambition By settling down In old age and reap
Ing the benefit or his industry, and even old
age longed for Tomorrow Each day Of time was
little section OF eternity and the question Of every
himself should b "what have done to-day for
Him who died TO redeem me-" Time was like the water
running from fountanit runs and on until II has
run itself ont II Was likewise solemn Inheritance to
man, but mover was inheritance squandersd more reck
essy. The reverend gentleman fefventy advered 10 the
great value OF time and how should be profed by all
men II could not be recalled; tho pro sent moment
aione ours the future hidden. III but reelected
would its importance; for II failed 10 take
advantage Of It, In vain would We call out 'Sun. stand
thou still on Gibeon." or all the foes Of man, tho
greatest perhaps, tho Inconsistencies Of the pos
session or the present moment which alone WAS ours
The Rev. Mr. Lord concluded = most eloquent aud
pathetic discourse by referring to the advantages OF
making OF time, for We know not the moment VIII en-
earthly existence would terminate closing his dis
course with appropriate observations TO how We
should commence the new year: The ono thousandth
and sixteth hymn sung, and the services with tho
bonodctIOn brought TO q close.