davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1869-04-26
SCRIPTURE AND THE CHURCH.

Lecture by DIR. j. w. Rogers in Brooklyn.
scripture ana the church, was the subject OF a
lecture delivered by DR.. ]. W. Rogers, OF Memphis
formerly minister OF the Episcopal Church, at the
beautiful hall Of st. Peters Academy In Warren
street last evening. The assemblage was not large
The lecturer introduced his discourse by assert
ing that the sermons OF the Church was q
subject In which Catholics and Protestants
were both interested. Notwithstanding the
reports that Catholics have no regard for the Scrip
lures; they feel reverence for the Bible which none
others can feel The priest kisses the sacred volume
whenever he kneels before the altar. The martyrs
of the early days OF the Church venerated it that
they often went to their martyrdom with the holy
book In their b0sons. IL was from the Cath.
olic Church that the Protestan,s first accepted
IT, DIR. Manning In his recent work on the
holy ghost said that Professionalism based its
existence on The Scriptures. He maintained that
ine volume OF the New Testament was not essential
10 the propagation OF the Christian faith. The
speaker thea proceeded 10 demonstrate by a cogent
from works OF prominent dlvines to Illustrate the
truth OF his argument that the Bible had been dis.
puted at various ages: that the Founder OF the
Church never wrote IL; that the Gospels OF St Mat
thew and 81. Luke were written eight years after the
DEAN OF our Lord and the Gospel OF st. John was
years after. Yctthe Church had existed during that
PERIOD and II could have fourished to present time
without the New Testament. The planting of
Christianity did not depend upon II, but upon the
word and promise OF the founder Of that plant.
Protestants who take the Catholic Church on one
from them. should take their stand as ratonalists
who reject botn the Bible and the Church. There
could be no deduction from this fact The speaker
was frequently applauded throughout his discourse
The New York herald., 1869-04-26
ST. JOsiPH'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CIUSCA.

Lecture by the Rev. DIR. Parsons.
At St Joseph's church, corner Of Sixth avenue and
Washington place. the Rev. DR.. Parsons delivered
lecture last evening on "Religon and Patriotism.n
The proceeds Of the lecture be devoted to the
benefit OF the schools attached to the church, and
from the size OF the congregation in attendance last
night, 1t may safely be presumed that the benefit Will
be substantial one The reverend orator descanted
among the latter the lesson Of love for
mankind. and especially the love and honor
which are due to parents PERSONS native country
is regarded as mother. and person who would
love his native land Patriotism the lecturer defined
as being sort Of sefove Self-love, he lntimated,
was generally the motive TO action on the part Of
individuals. 1t often induces men to perform great
left to itself. This sefove then, should be among
the principal attributes OF the body pottic and If
rightly directed would add to a peoples welfare.
Love Of country causes men TO labor for
men, and it inspires them not only to labor
for their fellow men, but to be ready to
make sacrifice even OF their lives IN their counry's
defence. The reverend gentleman went on to show
the prop OF civilzaron and that even In primitive
days the priests took prominent part IN the affairs
Of nations and always to the goOd of the State.
Civil and religious liberty should be The end Of the
labors of good citizens, and liberty is only means
to secure that end History the orator sad did not
record an instance OF a true patriot who was not
religious man. He cited several instances of men
who had been reckoned patriots, such as the first
Napoleon and some prominent men of the French
revolution, but they were selfish and errac men
ana not true patriots. In bright contrast to them
he placed Washington, whose name and memory are
revered throughout the world as q patriot and
Christian. The discourse was quite lengthy, and at
its close sacred concert was given by the choir OF
the church.
The New York herald., 1869-04-26
RELIGIOUS SERVICES IN NEW JERSEY.
Jersey City.

lecture was delivered last evening at st. Peters
church. Jersey CITY, by Father Hecker, who took for
his subject "The Religious Condition OF the Coun-
try" lie commenced by saying that there are two
overpowering tendencies everywhere in the religious
condition Of the world. All attempts to dnd ogi.
cal foothod between these tendencies have proved
Intellectual. one leads 10 "a return to the Catholic
Church; the other TO rationasm inndelity and
atheism. Hence the assertion OF q popular writer
"ROmc or reason,n Is not correct because Rome IA
not opposed TO reason: ~ IL rather Christianity or
infdey, ar, better si Cathoicity or rationaiism
because Christianity, outside the Catholic Church.
has no independent existence. Professionalism has
had In this country. far and free field to develop
Its own intrinsic character. Take New England and
you will hardly lind lve members OF the Protestant
religion who hold the same opinions in matters or
religion that they did ly years ago so great IS the
change in the fundamental truths OF Christianity
have known persons who offered themselves for ad.
mission To the Episcopal Church. and the Bshop
was willing 10 receive them, who denied the
doctrine of the Trinity, aud Others again who
denied original SIN. Tile great truths of Christianity
have been 50 Oblterated from the minds of the peo-
pie OF New England that they are ready TO worship
almost In any place. Tie lecturer thef, reclted IL
merous Protestant authorities showing the Increase
OF tue Catholic religion and the decay Of Protestant
The Rev. Dr. Fish, OF Newark, the Roman Catholic
population mas increased sixty ve per cent-greater
than the population OF the United States for Inc ten
years preceding lS50-while the evangelical denom-
nations have decreased eleven per cent. Protestant
ism a. taught In New England for the past half
century II such that men could not receive II wnen
they attained fnll manhood For instance, 1t taught
The New York herald., 1869-04-26

the beggar OF to-day became the millionaire OF to-
morrow, and the millionaire Of yesterday the beggar
or to-day. Men Of the highest social respectabiity
engaged IN that. AS he (the lecturerl went out OF
church last Sunday night gentleman SAID to him,
III you want to see some gamblng-something
worthy the name-dO not go TO faro shops or
policy shops but 60 down to Wall street.
There 1t is In all its vigor IL Is so easy
to gamble In that way. You need not be seen
nor known In IL. Leave margin for your broker
man with whom he was acquainted became pos
sessed OF small fortune by the death OF his father
He lived in the country; came INTO the city and
operated in Wall street and was cleaned out In three
days Gambling Of the same character was carried
on In all branches OF business. Speculation has
ruined only one. In the cities Of New York
ana Brooklyn there were l,0l9 Of these "re-
spectable' gambling houses, besides 1913 faro
banks and how many similar hidden places OF
the same nefarious character there were could not
be told. The report OF the Society for the suppress
proprietors OF these places were not less than
$50. 600 600 annually. detective had told him last
week that there were most stringent laws against
them and yet they were rarely disturbed. WhyY
Because tneV were AL IN q ring ana had unlimited
funds. The detective said to him-"Though you
hear OF one being convictedf" An officer mad told
MN that he knew women to sell their CLOTHES ana
their shoes of their feet to get money to buy tickets
with az these gambling shops and that they would
leave their children starving at home for that pur-
pOse The officer also said that he was frequently
done to stop their wives from gambling; that they
were running them by gambling. The lecturer then
went on TO give description Of the COursas, or
gambling saloon at Baden Baden which was to
large extent patronized by women, and after draw
ing vivid picture Of the gamblers 1ate closed his
The New York herald., 1869-04-26
RELIGIOUS SERVICES ELSEWHERE.
Newburg.


NEwBURa, Aprn rs, 1869.
The twenty churches Of this little city Of the High
lands were thronged with worshippers to-day. not
withstandfng the wind blew great guns loading the
air with dust and making walking dlflcult TO the
wearers Of crinoline. This morning at Trinity
Methodist church Rev. William P. Abbott the
newly appointed minister, formerly of Albany.
preached his first sermon here to very large con.
gregation. His text was, 'sThe Time Ia ShortJ He
attempted Dy variety of illustrations to impress
upon the minds OF his hearers the infinite shortness
Of time.meaning by time the interval between the
pared with the two eternities, past and present.
How exceedingly short, then, were the three score
this short period entire third spent in Sleep
another third was consumed In infancy and In secur
ing preparation for the active duties Of life; yet
another fraction was lost by Sickness 80 that the time
remaining even to person who attained TO the age
OF three score and ten to engage actively In the busi
There was therefore no time to be frttered away in
attending balls theatres and other forms OF even
Questionable az amusement to- say nocning Of those
erend speaker elOquently and forciby exhorted his
hearers to make the most OF their time In fitting
dentay to the probable age which our planet would
attain he held that 1t was now only In the morning
OF Its existence. He gathered from the Bible that
1t would continue to be the dwelling place OF mortal
man until 1t "waxed old as doth garment
until by cosmical and chemical changes II
would no longer sustain life, when it would
be burned up and be replaced by q new earth. In
stead Of existing only during the prophetic week"-
exts nr"nhetc year or ,hree poSrad .pd sy
five thousand years.
In the First Presbyterian church this morning
Rev. DR.. Frisse OF New Yerk. general agent tor the
American Tract Society preached the sermon from
the text, ''Blessed is he that regardeth the poor"
which he represented, and asked for collection.
which was given him.
In the American Reformed church the Rev. DR..
joseph Kimball, OF Brooklyn, preached morning and
evening.
The New York herald., 1869-04-26
CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION.

Farewell Sermon Of Rev. DIR. Flagg.
The congregation at this church. Madison avenue
and Fortyseventh street. yesterday morning, to hear
the farewell sermon Of the rector Rev. DR.. Flagg
previous to his departure for years residence In
Europe, was not so large as the event might have
led one to expect The house was not more than
half full. The church edifce is new one, Of mode
rate size, and has been rented for year to the
Church Of ST. Thomas or till the completion Of their
new house Of worship. DR.. Flagg took for
his text the tenth verse of the second chapter
of the Book Of Reveatons:-"Be thou faithful
These words, addressed to the Church. are words
which every man should always have before him to
They might be appropriately engraved on his sgnet,
and be seen In his place OF business But how is q
man to be Faithfully Believing In the name Of Christ,
can we be otherwise than steadfastf he calls him.
self the Alpha and the Omega-the first and the last.
How much does that mean All that we live for,
includes every secular. every spiritual interest.
What American heart does not thrill when he stands
at the grave Of Mount Vermont 70 this day the
Greek Christian makes an annual Offering at the
tomb OF ST. Polycarp. II earthly love and devotion
can call forth such faithful recognition. should not
bOwP If a man has reason to be proud OF his family
name ne has still more reason to be proud OF the re-
aon ne slstans to God BY reason OF the vows taken
in his behalf or BY himself in the presence of angels
and of men. To be faithful 1t is necessary be dill
gent in the use OF those means which
ioasiOn man must I0's be wnat psf'sn the worid rS
calls an enthusiast. II men are earnest
s to be earnestness In matters of religion. Christian
fidelity Is fidelity to those vows which the most
serious that mortals can undertake. After the
preacher had concluded his comments upon the
church he spoke few parting words to his cOngre-
CATION Ia which ne alluded to the difficulties that
and keeping 1t alive during the seven years of its
existence. He said that after his return, recruited
in health, he hoped with no abatement Of zeal and
with renewed power for work to carry forward
more vigorously than ever what had already been
well beTun.
The New York herald., 1869-04-26
Observance Of the Sabbath i'm the
Metropolitan and Sab
urban Churches.
Sermons on Ritualism, the Church and the
Republic, Gambling, Close Communion,
the Day Of Judgment and Re-
liglOn and Patriotism.
The Churches In Washington, Poughkeep-
sic, Newburg, Bridgeport, New Haven,
MlddletOwn and New Jersey.

The day yesterday was not very favorable for
large attendance at the churches Of this city and
Vicinity There was clear sky, but there prevailed
q very strong westerly gale, accompanied by fitful
squalls which sent the dust in crcng clouds to the
intense annoyance Of churchgoers ana others. The
beauty and fashion Of the metropolis forewarned
by the wind which whisted through the chinks and
rattlin8 window blinds, did not therefore. to any
great extent lend the charm Of their presence in the
fashionable churches; and consequently those per-
who resisted the latter for other than spiritual
motives were probably not gratiied to the extent
they wished. There was sufficient attendance in all
the churches to prevent the preachers from getting
prosy or dull; and, taking things all in all, the
suits were, no doubt, gratifying. Below win be
found succinct reports Of the more notable sermons
preached in the metropolis, Brooklyn, New Haven,
Middet0wn Trenton, Newburg, Poughkeepsie and
elsewhere.
The New York herald., 1869-04-26
NORTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Lecture on Gambling by Rev. Thcs. Street.
The first OF series OF lectures 'The Tempta
tions OF City Life" was delivered last evening by
Rev. Thomas Street, In the North Presby terian
church, corner OF Ninth avenue and Thirty first
street, the subject selected being "Gamblingr He
took his text from the First Book Of Timothy sixth
chapter, ninth and tenth verses:-"But they
that will be rich fall into temptation and
into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which
draw men into destruction and perdltion; for the
love Of money q the root OF all evil,r &c. He
commenced by saying that desire TO become rich
seemed now to be the predominant feeling with
the majority Of persons. Character, peace OF mind,
domestic quiet and enjoyment and brotherIy
sollcitude, were put in the background. II they
listened 70 the ordinary conversation of the city
they would find money TO be the keynote. Instead
OF the ordinary salutaton nowadays when people
meet of How Is your healthr' or How are
your familyy, IL was now, "How Is Erle" How
is Pacific Mailr, or "liow is goldS' Even
matrimony was q question Of money. The
her goodness, fitness, character, usefulness, but
wealth: There was something peculiar about city
life which had great fascination for those uDac-
customed TO II. Evidences oi wealth abounded IN
magnificent stores and dwellings, and the costly
people inside OF them. People unaccustomed to
such sights, when they came here imagined that
the city was fun OF gold Under That delusion young
men, who had good farms, good trades and good
professions m the country, gave up all these and
came here 70 get rich. But they soon found
u was not 'all gold that gtters., In
most cases they lost what little money
they had, In some legitimate way first and then
were forced into illegtmate means to recover It.
Spiders on the watch Tor these green fies
For that purpose tney resorted TO gambling, and
once they had contracted that wicked habit they got
into the depths Of II rapidly. Young men who were
born I'm the city became early familiar with that
They went boldly where others besltated TO tread,
and alas how many found the same sad end A
young man went TO the gambling house, knowing
that the probabilities were % hundred TO one that
he would fail, and yet he had the delusve
idea that he might succeed-that he was
sharper than the rest. lie has heard some glorious
stories OF men who had amassed immense fortunes
IN one evening" lie has not heard, or rather Il un-
willing TO hear, OF the many who had been ruined
by gambling. Well, he tried and he failed. The
failure made him the more anxious 10 retrieve his
loss. Or, what was still more disastrous he
ceeded at first, as many were allowed TO do. In
either case he on the high road to ruin. lie
suspended over deep gulf by cord and every
time he played or risked he cut q strand on the
cord, and Il was only question Of time how long
he might keep clear of the fearful depths which
yawned under his feet. Gambling had
Its grades. From an air OF high respectablty and
gentlty IL descended to that OF the lowest infamy
There was stock gambling, for instance, by which
The New York herald., 1869-04-26
RELIGIOUS SERVICES IN BRooxLYy.
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.

Sermon by Rev. Henry Ward Beecher.
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher preached to very
large congregation yesterday taking for his text the
words OF the prayer, "Thy will be done" The SEN
tence comes from the lips Of the child and from the
man as If 1t was the easiest Of all uterances we'll
as the easiest of all commands. But he who sails
that sentence must have deep channel. II is clear
and reaches far below the surface. He who can say
In the hour Of reflection and contemplation "Yhy
Will be done" IS happy. But he who repeats
this utterance in the struggles and experiences
OF daily practical life Is happier. 1t Is Implied In
the sentence that one has sucn view and concep-
ton OF the Divine character rs commands His un-
bounded confidence. 1t is impossible for one who
commences with the opening sentence, 'Our Father
who art In heaven." to go on and say, "rhy will be
DONE" except on the supposition tnat Gods will Is
the being OF the heather mythooGlsts, with the at
tributes accorded him by heather people, there
and men could not say .'Thy will be DONE"
IL Is said we must accept simply, implicitly. what
the Scripture teaches and for us to sit IN judgment
on the scriptures and what they teach is mon-
strousy cupable. 1t Is said we should accept what
the scriptures teach us. SO say ]. But what do
they teacha That Is the question: and that point
the best and most learned men in different ages
have differed, according to the moral philosophy Of
the age and the prevalent ideas OF government that
shaped their IDEAS The anctens differed this point
according to the different modes OF moral theology
under which they lived. So 1t was In the past and
mems ideas are growing. Mems natures are grow
ing higher, nob!er and purer, and their ideas are
derived from nlgnef moral sentiment, and their
thoughts are more cleansed from the atnts of mans
PASSIONS. God does not grow, but mems ideas OF
God grow The earlier Interpretation Of the revela-
tions OF God were very largely infused with the
elements which spring from man s nature Man has
become so much more elevated in his moral nature
that he has acquired a better conception OF God.
That which Is right in God Is right
in man, and that which is not right
In man is not right In God. If lying Is wicked in
man 1t Is more wicked in God II it be mans duty
to maintain fidelity TO his words, still more intensely
Is II morally obligatory that superior being should
be faithful TO his word. God Is the god Of love and
OF mercy, and asks nothing OF man that he cannot
easily perform, and he orders all things for the BEST
God 80 loved the world that he gave his only begot-
ten Son to redeem 1t. God Is no5 tyrant He haGes
cruelty, and all the and suffering that wit
messed upon earth but the commencement of ever
lasting victory and gadness All say thy will
be done, and happy are they whose lives are
ordered that they can at all times say, Thy Will be
The New York herald., 1869-04-26

that man was wholly depraved and that his saliva
tion depended upon election and sovereign grace
and then they swung to the other end OF the pendu
lum, exaggerated naturalsm. The prevailing
ism ana Spirituaism. A few evenings ago lady,
who is well known Splritualist, said IN reference
to hell, "NOn c0nstat." or, In plain phraseology.
"lts no CO." Luther strikes out the book OF
St. James from the Bible and Bishop COIenso has az
much right TO strike out half the Bible. We find a
"Iliad" Dante's "Divlne Comedy" and Shakspeares
plays are inspired. and they cannot see much dif-
ference between them and the Bible. Professionalism
had q tendency to polygamy from the beginning,
and the day Is coming when polgyamy VIII be le'
gallzed. Children are looked upon as an encum-
Drance rather than blessing: hence our American
population Is dying ont. This Is one result OF
Pr0testantsm In Its social aspect
The New York herald., 1869-04-26

making that we shall never think OF past progress
and victories IL was then shown what was meant
by "thln2s before" In the racecourse there were
other things besides the pole lying along the line OF
race that were helps to the runner. Any object,
such as q stone or small poles, would indicate de-
grees OF distance Thus mile stones were felt to be
helps. AS we ascend mountain every peak be-
comes our guide. The sailor even has his imaginary
lines drawn on the ocean by which ne measures dis
tance and speed. The things before US In the
CHRISTIAN race are the various degrees and qualities
Of Christian character that are steps towards
ultimate perfection. We should be ever reaching
forth towards more love, greater devotion, pro-
founder wisdom, higher knowledge OF the truth.
Then these degrees and stages that mark Christian
career are all pointing towards their end-perfec0n
OF character. The ideal OF perfection the lie and
character OF Christ. What the apostle conceived
Christ to be ne resolved TO be- This Is the mark for
the prize The prize is not to be thought OF 30 much
as the mark. II is not the bessedness Of heaven,
but the mark for this we are to seek after.
1t Is as unworthy Of the scholar to study for
Q prize as II is his business to gain
the mark for the prize, VIZ, Knowledge. As it de-
grades q merchant, physician or minister OF the
g0spe 10 De ever striving for wealth. fee reward,
and not 70 nave special eye to the object Of his
proicsslon 30 II was dangerous for the follower OF
Cnrlst 10 be ever thinking Of heaven only, and not
considering the way by which heaven Is to be gained
Inc preacner concluded by urging upon every one
70 engage In the Christian race. There was prize
Tor every one who attained II. Every one who
reached the mark, whether early or late would re-
ceive the crown.