The New York herald., 1870-02-14
Thu Churchea Yesterday.

Tho Churches Yesterday.
The God of Christianity and the Goddess Of
Fashion had their weekly contrast at the aris-
tocratic churches yesterday. Rustling silks
and waving plumes, immaculate kid gloves and
eyeglasses, and the other things needed by
church-going upper-tendom from the daintily
covered prayer book, with its golden clasp, to
the five hundred dollar lace handkerchief, ab-
sorbed no small part Of attention, il, indeed,
these did not throw the preachers completely
into the shade. AT the Church Of the Messiah
Rev. George II. Hepworth informed his
hearers that they could not carry their bank
accounts to heaven--a fact of which they are
aware, as many of them had materially
reduced their balances during the past
week in purchasing the latest style. The
reverend gentleman also remarked that
deathbed repentances were RATS to get
over the turbid waters connecting mortal
and immortal existence. As there is no possi-
bility Of his wealthy congregation purchasing
first cabin ticket on the steamer Salvation,
save by early repentance, we trust his words
will be hearkened to. At Grace church Rev.
Mr.. Foote, of Utah, beguiled the time of his
aristocratic brothers and sisters with an
account Of the religion of the Mormon Saints,
and with an appeal for ten thousand dollars
with which to build an Episcopal church In
Salt Lake, and help to raise the benighted
Mormon females to proper rank Of woman
hood. Mr.. Beecher's tabernacle in Brooklyn
was, as usual, well filed, the ladies, we are
told, wearing dresses Of more subdued colors
than they are wont to wear. They were
doubtless excited to this noteworthy discard
ing Of fashion by the structures Of the
HERALD. Brother Beecher, however, was
not dismayed by the sobriety Of his
congregation. Tho performance at Ply
mouth church was in every sense q
success. Alternate laughter and tears con-
vulsed the sinners as the preacher said some
thing particularly comical or gave expression
to d sentiment more than ordinarily pathetic.
And SO, with faces flushed by hilarity and
handkerchiefs wet by tears, ladies and gentle
men listened to sermon on 'sThe Hidden Cos
per--a discourse with most suggestive title,
the Bible being to many attendants at church
''as sealed book" But Mr.. Beecher's pur-
pose was solely to illustrate how men are blind
to all but the one pursat of their lives After
! amusing and saddening his auditors with anec-
dotes and pathos for three-quarters Of an hour
he introduced Christ into the sermon. described
the intense love ST. Paul bore the Saviour, and
closed with an earnest appeal in behalf Of 1The
Hidden Gospel" Thus passed the day in three
ofthe churches patronzed by the elite of soicety
Elsewhere less pretentious congregations
mplored divine forgiveness and assistance.
| At the Seventh street Methodist church, mads
| famous by Rev. Mr.. Cooks elopement, Rev.
Mr.. Bockman preached on the backslidng
tendencies of the age, and compared the sins
| of the ancient city Of Sardis with those Of the
present day. At St. Patrick's Cathedral the
ceremonies were unusually imposing in view
| described the narrow path to heaven, and
| impressed upon all the necessity of never
leaving it under the delusive belief that God is
| too merciful to torture the wicked. Rev. Mr..
Pullman, at the Sixth Universalist church.
warned sinners that happiness is not
the supreme prNc VI Hic, "nio Eiuor
| Ferris, at the Jane street Methodist
church, denounced the political corruption OF
the age, declared that this city was governed
| in the interest Of Rome, and expressed the con-
viction that there was need Of more religion
and Christian morality in the land. AT the
| North River Bethel Ship and at the Mariners
| Temple devout and earnest men assembled to
! listen to the Gospel, which was effectively
propounded by Rev. Mr.. Hodge and Rev. Mr..
| Headstrom. All the other churches were well
| attended The music at the prominent places
! of worship was artistic and melodious. The
| glory of God was sung in true theatrical style
and the congregations were dismissed by the
! organists with flourish.
Our Mexican News.