The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-18
Eass MEETING or THE NEW YORK AMI BaOosLYN up.yEH-
SAlST CiUncAeS

A mass meeting OF the New York and Brooklyn
Universast churches was held last evening in the
church OF Rev. Mr.. Garfield, corner OF South Third
and Fourth streets, Williamsburg. The church was
filed with the most influential members Of the Uni
versast denomination.
The exercises were opened by the singing of sold
Hundred" aud that grand hymn was grandly rem
dered by the choir and congregation.
Rev. Mr.. Canteid read porGion OF the Scriptures
and Rev. Mr.. Blanchard offered prayer.
Rev. Mr.. CAMPBELL then addressed words OF
welcome TO those present. lie said that the object
OF such meetings was to arouse the spirit that ami
mated the church in times gone by. ihs was the
second meeting OF the kind the irst having been
held IN the Blocker street church, New YORK. Mr..
Garfield concluded his remarks by introducing
Brother Emerson, editor OF the ambassador
Mr. EMERSON expressed ms delight at finding
before him representatives OF all the churches. He
said that at a similar meeting held In Huntington
week ago large number OF persons not Identified
with the denomination took great interest in the
proceedings and he felt assured that much good
was accomplished. While he did not deny the ex-
istence OF truth in the Catholic Calvanlstic and
Methodist Churches he believed the Church towhich
he belonged approached nearer the Christian idea
than either OF them.
Dr. LEE spoke at length on the delights OF good
life He hoped that the whole human family would
sun themselves in the light Of Gods glory.
Rev. Mr. PULLMAN felt that the ladies and gentle
men present wanted something more than would
satisfy curiosity. He thought that the truths OF re-
ligion were what were needed, and he took great
pleasure in delivering to them his message In
speaking OF Christ Mr. Pullman expressed his belief
that lie could not be legslated out Of the universe
Rev. Mr.. BLANCHARD spoke earnestly on the sub
ject OF the best way OF making q strong church
Some men go to church because their wives want
them to go, or because It sets good example to
their children. Such men cannot strengthen the
Church. To accomplish that purpose men must
feel convinced that the Church Is q divine instu-
tion, and that it is their duty TO attend it. 1t is
true that many churches have died under the
influences Of gorgeous music and eloquent sermons,
but 1t Is not true that society truly animated by
the spirit OF God ever became reactionary. He
did think that the spirit Of worship properly
developed In the Universast churches, and that the
EpiscOpalians had q better system. The churches
should cover amusement, education and reform.
The young people should be amused, and the church
should amuse them and control and direct their de-
| sires Every member OF the church should c0nside
himself as important in 1t as the minister, and all
| should cheerlully work for its advancement.
Mr.. MErCALF, OF Boston, offered q few remarks.
lie felt complimented on being the only layman in
troduced to the meeting. He did not believe, did
some OF the clerical brethren, IN invisible growth in
the Church. On the contrary, he believed sincerely
| in visible growth and the power OF members. He
was not satisfied with the present strength OF the
Church. and IL was his intention TO do more in the
future than he had done in the past TO strengthen It,
The exercises closed by the singing Of the "COrO-
1 natlOnn by the congregation