The New York herald., 1870-02-21
rs. churca.. Yesterday.

The Churches Yesterday.
The morning dawned yesterday as clear and
bright and beautiful as If the departing winter
was not still struggling with approaching
spring. A bright sun flooded the city with it's
glorious light, shining upon the homes of the
poor alike with those of the rich, and gliding
the humble cross upon the church Of the lowly
no less than the lofty steeples Of those grand
edifices wherein are held the regular Sunday
reunions Of our aristocracy. It was curious
to note the effect the fine weather had upon
the public. All the fashionable churches were
crowded to repletion, and this fact demon
strates that much Of wealthy humanity's
religion depends upon the state Of
the atmosphere. We fear, too, that it is as
capricious as the weather for when night came
the rain fell and these churches were almost
deserted.
Our attention this morning must be first
bestowed upon the religious sanctuaries of
fashion. On the attendants Of these our mis-
sionary labors are most needed; wherefore
it is that we shall call attention to Grace
church, the Church Of the Messiah, Church of
the Divine Paternity, Fifth avenue Presbyte-
rian church and st. Stephens Roman Catholic
church. 1t was observed that In these there
was not so great display Of dresses as on
previous Sabbath days, but there was still
much inconsistent with true religion. The
devout worshippers found it difficult to inhale
the odors of sanctity because of the odors OF
Lubin's extracts which filed the churches; and
the sparkle Of diamonds almost eclipsed
the halo Of divine glory. The ser
mons, however, were full Of good
scriptural advice, which we commend to all
our readers. Dr. Potter preached eloquenty
on the beauties of charity, eulogized the late
George Peabody and expressed regret that the
wealthy were not more given to benevolent
deeds. Rev. George H. Hepworth explained
what heaven and hell are. He told his con-
gregation that 'sgetting to heaven was no part
of any contract, no matter Of sale and pur-
chase" and he might have added that on the
doors Of the divine sanctuary there are no
placards bearing the words, mo free pews
here" DR.. Chapin's sermon tended to prove
that ''true Christianity is belief in Christ,
and that no outward forms or ceremonies are
necessary to achieve salvation" while
DR.. Hall referred to the lack Of re-
ligion in our midst, which he thought
due to bad instruction. At st. Stephens,
where the rich and the poor knelt side by
side, DR.. McGlynn preached well and elo-
quently. At all these churches the music was
Of the highest order. Alto, soprano and con-
tralto harmoniously blended with basso, tenor
and baritone. Perhaps Gods power and glory
were sung in too strict accordance with purely
their hearers thought more of the high notes,
the cadences and the trills for the sake of their
melody than as hymns in praise of Him who
ruleth all things. Still, music is the handmade
of religion, if even not always associated with
piety
Passing over to Brooklyn we find that in
the tabernacle of Brother Beecher the congre-
CATION was, as usual, very select and, let US
believe, pious one. Beautiful flowers deco
rated Plymouth church, and perhaps 1t was
these that impaired to the scene much of
peace and grace. The sermon preached was
devoid of mirth. The well clad sinners were
not compelled to lean back in their velvet
cushioned seats and with hearty rounds of
laughter testify to their devotion to God. Mr..
Beecher preached on the ''higher Christian
life," and after propounding sound doctrines
to his hearers invited them to ascend to a
= 49, ob
earnestly assure his congregation does not
mean higher bids for pews at the next auction
sale, but good deeds and pious lives in this
world. AT the Lafayette avenue Presbyterian
church DR.. Cuylef preached sermon on the
Voorhees, tragedy and its lessons, in which he
argued that the rumsellers were responsible
for the tragedy.
At all the other churches the attendance
was good. Instructive sermons were preached
at the Church Of the Epiphany, ST. Georges
Chapel, Seaman's Church Of Our Saviour, st.
Marys and other places. Men and women
with the love and fear of God in their hearts
thither went, sorrowful for sins and prayerful
for pardon. And on these, and also on those
who make religion a fashionable observ-
ance, we trust that the divine grace benig-
nanty fell
THE ANTI-CoNERDERATION SENTIMENT in the
British Provinces has been heretofore pretty
well confined to discussion and generalities.
Now we see the New Brunswick government
is at a deadlock, owing to an attempt to dis
n,iss Mr. Rotsford the clerk of the Legislative
Council, for annexation sentiments. The
Council have declined to let him be dis
..;..ol "a lit, 4Lot A. Nor, u-rraur;oi,