The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-08
CHURCH QF Ire HlLY TRINITY.
Ambition AVID Ritualism--ssermo On by the Rev.
Charles l.. Cheney, of CHICAGO.

Ambition AVID Ritualism-Serm On by the Rev.
Charles Il. Cheney, of Chicago.
The Church OF the Holy Trinity at the corner Of
Madison avenue and Forty-second street. was filed
by very numerous congregation yesterday after
noon despite the rather disagreeabe weather the
announcement that the Rev. Charles L. Cheney, the
clergyman who recently deded the ritual OF the
Episcopal Church by declining to repeat the word
degenerate" during the minlstration or the oap-
tlsm, would preach drew many OF the curious
as auditors. The stand which the reverend gentle
man took In refusing to inculcate the doctrine that
baptism regenerates the subject and purlfes him
from sin, has given him wide celebrity IN reli-
gious circles, and the large congregation was
mostly composed of persons concerned in the bust
ness OF opening their to all the Pere Hyacnt hes
OF the day. After the usual services conducted by
the rector the reverend martyr selected his text
from Genesis Xix, Adjustable as water,
thou shalt not excelu-and proceeded to deliver q
Tery Gorid and extremely melodramatic discourse.
These words. he sand, were the last injunct!ons OF
Jacob to Reuben, whose lofty ambition aspired to
lead the chosen people OF GOD. But he found
only disappointment and chagrln. such may be
the lot OF all who seek TO achieve mighty
ends; but It IS not clearly proven that ambition
noble results. It's true that this seducmg tendency
OF man has given Us AleXander5 and Caesars, DuI IL
so much IL ambition itself as the way in which It's
possessor applies 1t. 1t may bring disgrace crime
and depravity; Ii may also bring goodness, purity
and Christianity. All should have an aspiration to
extend the Kingdom OF Christianity, They should
multiply the examples Of unaduterated p-
| ety., and stand up boldly for truth and
justice. He VINO begins TO be moved by au ambition
| TO serve his Maker L. like the New England farmer
who, not long since. discovered that IN his sterile
acres was buried rich vein OF native treasure He
had an engine constructed and everything was IN
readiness for excavation, but the lands were barren
and the hungry furnace coad not he supplied with
| fuel. Ground was struck-it was an aflerthought-
and underneath was a rich deposit OF coal. Thus
the very means by which an end was to be accom-
pished the Creator put by side OF the treasure So
IL iS with the longing Christian HIS anxiety TO be
with Christ is the engine working in the rich soil OF
| his own soul, and the Holy Scriptures viii iced 1t
with the fuel which IL Graves The speaker deplored
the evidences OF insncerlty eXls ing in the Church,
ana dscalmed against holiday Christanity-a sort OF
minimum religion, that Is measured by the eaprices
OF popular morals. 1t is not this kind OF religion
which is demanded In the Bible, but pure, whole
| some and sincere following OF the Word OF God.
Some denounce rtualisn because they believe II TO
be undermining the faith II Is not Tituallsm. This
Is only the impurty OF the surface which rises from
the disease within. 1t Is following OF out
ward forms and not devout attachment
10 sacred truths which Is freezing us into
the ice OF infdellty ana causing religion TO vanish In
the vapors OF superstition. Men who espouse ritu al
ism may be learned In ecclesiastical history, they
may be familiar with canons and as sacramentarlans
be profound, but this Is not teaching and preaching
the Word OF God, This Is not spreading abroad III
the community the seeds OF fruitful growth. Rather
does IL foster worldness and its fullest elimination
IL found IN the corrupt Church OF Rome. The
preacher concluded by exhorting his hearers TO 6
higher and more independent holiness exanp!ed By
Christ