The New York herald., 1869-04-05
cHuAcA OF The HEAVENLY Resi-.

Services I'm Aid of the Italian Commissiop.
There was q special service last evening at the
Church OF the Heavenly Rest, Fifth avenue and
Forty fifth street, in behalf Of the Italian Comms-
sio an organization devoted to aiding the religious
reformation OF the people OF Italy. The congrega-
ticn was qnite large. Bishop Cox was present. and
after the singing Of the 259th hymn and reciting OF
the usual prayers the Right Rev. gentleman rose
and said that they had met on this occasion
for special purpose In the beautiful land OF Italy
q great aud holy work was in progress. and they
were called on to give 1t aid and sympathy. That
work was the rescuing OF the Italian race from
Romish superstition and restoring TO them the ancient
and SIMPLE Apostolic iaih. There Is a great moral
revolution goiig In Italy. The people grown
FESTIVE under the sway repressive ecclesiastical
dominion. TO America tney looked Tor their IDEAS
or progress, and the Episcopal Church IN
this land was beacon to guide the
nations. The object contemplated was
important one, aud beset many bus, with the grace
OF God, ny no means in3ur.nountADle dllculGes.
The reverend bishop proceeded 70 describe the deep
seated ctSconten amounting to abhorcnce, prevail
ing among the intelligent Italians. towards their
present spiritual retfnte, and the profound desire
Ielt aud expressed for simpler ana fdore rational
forms and faith.
The b,sbop having concluded, an address was
next delivered by the Rev. Dr. Morgan. lie sa,d
there was something that appealed 10 their
hearts and sympathies In anything that related
to Italy, We were indebted TO that land for
the finest efforts OF art and genius. it was
tae birthplace OF Dante ihsso' @icnae Angelo,
lain IN a slough OF ignorance and despair: but at
last the light OF liberty piercing the moral darS
ness that enveloped her. great reformation was
begun, and they had undertaken TO assist is
speedy development. The Bible was beginning to
be read and even the clergy were at length among
those VINO were gradually seceding nom Tne errors
or the Ronish system. Great discourage
ments must be expected at first, anu must
walt with patience Tor the result; but truth
Is bound to triumph. here Is still great power
welded by Rome. Here in this country. at
the periphery OF the circle all what influence
1t possesses and what must IL be ut the centre. Yet
he had no fears OF the ultimate issue. The Rev. DR..
saying that the worst foes were those OF a
CHRISTIAN world was the E0mish creed. But
error sometimes nourishes, and this land AFFORDS o
striking example OF the fact. Here Roman CATHOLIC
cism parOOk OF the growth Of progress which char
acterized everything The statistics OF the advance OF
the Roman doctrine IN America were startling. From
all points they heard OF its rapid strides Indeed 1t
was fact that One-sixth Of the population were
already Roman Catholics. New York was under
the domination OF Catholics. In European
Catholic countries, however, its course was
retrogressive. 1t was losing hold In Austria
and France, and In Italy there was party constant
ly increasing waginR war against It, Even under
the shadow OF tine Vatican great reaction was 60
ing on The American Consul at Florence was the
centre Of q band Of others who were enlisted in
crusade against Papa and In an effort TO give
religious freedom to the Italians At the conclusion
OF the Rev. DIR. smiths address subscription was
taken up and handsome sum was realized.