The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-11
ELM PLACE 6au1xLyD CONGREGATIONAL Church.

Sermon by the Rev. Henry pOwers-Auiuum--
Decay in Life-prosress in Death--"Do We
Fade a Lenfso
This church, OF which Rev. william Alvin Bartlett
was formerly the pastor till his removal to Chicago
Is located in one OF the peasantest streets OF Brook
Ign. Rev. Henry Powers has recently been installed
as Its pastor, ana is young man OF much dignity
and ability. lie IS extremely unostentatlons In his
manner aud d1cton, but his pure Addisonian style
ana polished convincing argument make him
favorite with his constantly increasing congrega-
ton. Mr.. Powers belongs to the advanced school
OF Congregationasts, being even more liberal in his
theological ideas than many divines would concede
TO be orthodox. lie created some CONSERVATION
among them on the occasion OF hls previous settle.
ment by inviting James Freeman Clark, OF Boston,
TO preach his installation sermon, and once after.
ward by exchanging pulpits for Sabbath with a
noted Unitarian divine OF Brooklyn. This practi.
cay demonstrates tile argeness of his heart toward
all denominations, as does his thorough independ-
ence.
Yesterday morning this church was almost filed
with hignv fashionable and interested audience.
In the Introductory service the hymn beginning
see the leaves around falling,
Dry and withcred to the ground
was sung. The text announced bv Mr. Powers was
portion Of Isaiah, XIV. e"And we all do fade as
And the leaves OF the tree were for the healing OF
the nai.ons.n The reverend gentleman commenced
by saying that II was very common for man at this
season OF the year TO be the victim OF sad and pen
sive feelings; to be somewhat depressed, as 1.-THE
IHbldHCnOiy uuyb nave COIHe,' WHICH nOWInx Wlnu9
and naked woods would meet our very hand. 1--WE
fade as leaf' we copy It Into books for our chill
dren chant 1t In our hymns preach 10 from the
pulpit write 1t as q monumental epttaph for our
dead These feelings OF sadness IN the outer world
are caused by the signs OF decay everywhere around
us; are the victim OF our senses At such periods
the leaves OF our memory have mournful rustic;
we think CT duties nndone sins committed. The
harvest Is past, and we are mol saved
THE leaves OF the trees were for the healing OF tho
nations.n Death Is given us to see how, In this
world, Ia entombed heaven-its elimination. But
thoughts OF the outer world should not only be sug
gesled BY the text The leaf that fails rustng from
Dough TO Dough, and rushing to its death on the
ground seuggestive Of the thought OF the gospel of
NE and not OF death. Leaves the perfected life
OF tree; they are Its lungs and In them see the
uhl.y OF creation. The leaf gives nourlshment TO
Una. whicn ~ adorns, and after It's period Of giving
beauty ana protection to q tree ali the summer
days drops 70 the ground. Yet It's mission IL not
oohe y covers the soil and still again protects the
carry spring ouds nesting IN the ground In It's wa rm
ana loving embrace. Then its substance enters
other ile anu on the return Of the seasons the work
OF nature goes gradually on. The harvest OF leaves
IL the richest OF the year. more valuable than the
cotton or the south or the corn OF the West The fall
ing and dying leaf 10 lesson to US all. How beautiful
1t goes TO It's last resting place; how 1t lies gently
down III for beds for human beings How many
and many OF them nestle ana whisper through the
woods, some on the graves OF our friends, meeting
men half wayY VIII men, with all their boosted
immortality ever fade like the leafi Would we
could thus gracefully give up the comforts Of life
and depart ~ they; We should then ~ sacrlQcial,