The New York herald., 1869-03-08
Sensations In n1odsra Rellslou.


The progression of this remarkably prolific
and energetic age, it would appear, has taken
deep and powerful hold of the Church of our
day, and has materially changed the manner
of the application of theology and almost
all Christian doctrine There was q
time when men went to Sabbath worship
to hear the Bible explained and the beatitudes
of Christ's religion illustrated according to
His teachings, and in the pure and simple die
ton exemplifed in His Sermon on the Mount.
But now religion is made the medium of
notoriety, reputation and, as sequence,
of pecuniary profit. Whether it profit the
soul or not is not so much the
idea as to make it tickle or tingle the ear.
Out of all these things we have actually in
augurated new and peculiar form Of worship,
which may be expressed as the Sensational" A
congregation aims to be considered sensational
by the fashionableness Of their attire, by SCI
curing members Of high social or political
standing, by erecting the most costly
and ornate places Of worship, by en-
ploying orators to fill the pulpits that
theologians and Christian scholars are sup
posed to occupy, and the orators who are, by
courtesy, termed preachers delve into all man.
ner of subjects Of the sensational order
because they sermonize to please and pay
merely hinging their themes in some instances
upon biblical text for decency's sake, and
quitting it within the compass of three or four
sentences; while in other cases they simply
grasp some popular topic and expatiate upon
politics, fashion, amusements and all the local
isms of the hour.
Yesterday was no exception to this rule, as
win be seen by perusal of the reports which
we give elsewhere of the religious services in
New York, Washington, Trenton, Newburg
and other cities. Sensations of very unusual
description, however, were experienced yes
terday in some of the churches at the national
capital, and will prove beyond doubt
most entertaining subject of discus
sion and comment among church people
throughout the country. President Grant,
attended by the members Of his family,
visited the Metropolitan Methodist church,
of which he is q trustee, and found his pew
occupied and no other seat in the edifce
vacant. The congregation were either so
intent upon the services or SO boorish as to
give the entire Presidential family time to
reach the doors before any attempt was made
to accommodate them. Mrs. Grant appears
to have been deeply embarrassed, as,
in fact, must have been the whole family, and
declined to return at the behest of an excited
deacon, who endeavored to recall the distin-
guished party, but proceeded at once to a
Presbyterian place of worship in the vicinity.
There will be sensation enough at the Metro
politan church for some time to come, and
somebody will, no doubt, be "in hot water"
At the Epiphany church (Washington),
Secretary of the Treasury Stewart attended.
in company with several other eminent gentle
men, and created quite dutter. As he was
leaving the church some brazen-faced indi-
vidual actually stopped him and asked him for
his photograph for publication, but was face
tiously rebuffed.
Rev. DR.. Lrill, of Newburg, took the Presi-
Dental Inauguration as the basis of his re-
marks, and expressed the belief that the new
Executive would be guided in his administra-
ton by the public good and a sincere desire to
do his duty. Rev. Father Schmidt, of Trenton,
gave his congregation lively stirring up on
their Incidence and neglect in connection with
the affairs of the church, and Beecher, in
Brooklyn, was in one of his mild moods, and
defined the loves of Christian faith. Alto
gether the services Of the day were exceed
ingly attractive, and, at least in that sense,
conformed to the new ''rage" among the
churches.