The New York herald., 1869-04-05
RELIGIOUS SERVICES AT WASHINGTON.
President Grant nj the Metropolitan Church
Gathering Of the Enthusiastically Meet.
ing of the Youths Missionary Society.

Gathering OF the Enthusiastically Meet.
ing Of the Youiis' Missionary Society.
WASHINGTON, April 4, 1859.
President Grant, as usual attended tue Metrcpoli-
tan church to-day He was accompanied by Vice
President Cofax, both OF them occupying the Presi
dents pew. The Presidents family were not pres
ent The services were conducted by Rev. Dr.. New.
man, pastor OF the church, who preached sermon
from the words ave speak that do we know and tes
ity that have seen," found in the Gospel OF st.
John, third chapter and eleventh verse. The theme
discussed was personal Christian experience. The
reverend gentleman argued that conversion to
Christianity Is gradual. No person, he said, became
a Christian at once, but when once converted the
basis OF their alth lies In their personal experience
Because the humble and unlearned Christian
could not enter into on arg ument with Paine or
Barry the keen wittcisms of VolDire, or overthrow
the reasoning OF Agassz against tue automatically OF
the scriptures, 1t was evidence that he was not a
true Christian. He might only be able To reply IN
the language Of the text and yet his personal expe-
renee far better argument than nl the rea-
soning and theories OF the inidels nd atheists. Dr.
Newman proceeded to illustrate at length the per-
sonal experience of many distinguished Christians,
and concluded by urping upon his hearers the Inn
pOrjance Of cultvating personal piety. CnleI Jus
tice Chase occupied seat immediately behind tle
President and was accompanied by his daughter,
Miss Nettie Chase. large proportion oI me sena-
tors and members were present with tnelr
families. The Metropolitan Is now considered
10 be the fashionable church OF washing
ton and the display OF dress is superior
to ANYTHING seen IN the other churches 1he Rev.
Dr Newman, though very able clergyman Is by
no means a Beecher, ana yet the .ongfsHa,ions
fo the presence OF the PRESIDENT and other distin
ruisned pcrsonages, whom strangers IN the city
flock to gaze at. <..-,, ,-, -.
The services at 81. Aloysus Catholic church were
of inc usually interesting aud Impressive character
The choir has the reputation OF being the best n the
CITY The selections to-day were from Beethoven
ami were rendered with excellent spirit Father
stoncstral prt ached the subject OF the Ail EN-.
bracipu love OF the Saviour" He pointed out
inc weary toll eliminating IN cruel death
endured BY the Redeemer for the sake OF
Ills creatures, and though, as 81. Paul saws,
Lord OF Glory yet the bounty OF the Divine love Is
so great and Overwhelming that the most wifu sin
ner among the sons OF men, II he asks IN q spirit OF
humility and sorrow, can obtain his share OF
atoning grace ana be received into the love Of his
a gathering Of the HicksItes was held at the
rrierids' Needing House this morning. The society
In this city numbers about thirty regular attend.
ants Of whom fair proportion were present
Friend samuel l.. Janney, regular preacher. spoke
to the society upon the rules OF life and TO act always
with proper decorum In dress and manncrs He
also gave some valuable lessons In morality. several
Others also spoke.
REV. Mr.. shannon preached st the Unitarian
church OF this city this morning, resuming MS lee
lures on 'Tnc Lie of Christ" He spoge specially
OF temptations. He narrated that portion OF the
life Of Christ when he was tempted to deny himsef
and from this drew lessons OF instruction for all
true believers. Immediately before the sermon the
pastor announced tnat he would receive contrbu.
lions nom members Of the church to be devoted to
the cause Of the cuban insurrcction.
rhe monthly meeting OF the Youths Missionary
Society ana the anniversary Of the sunday school