The New York herald., 1870-03-14
MADISON AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.

The Evidences OF the Divinity Of the Christian
Religion and the Evidences Of Gods & race
sermon by the Rev. DIE ttausbenu.
Ten years ago the Baptist churches minstered &c
by Drs. Weston and Hague united and purchased
lots on tue corner OF Madison avenue and Thirty
nrst street, where they eRctcd ono OF tue hand
soonest church sdces In the city. II Is not clabo
rate III its style and appointments some Others
being externally built of brick, with a low square
tower rising about twenty-five feet from the from,
But nterorly II Is light ana pleasant and Inspiring
to cheerful worship. The pulpit IL not rallied in as
so many are, giving one the impression OF the great
distance that exists between the pulpit and the
pew. but il merely sem-clrcular platform with
a neat reading desk in the centre. In The
arch in which 1t stands are halrdozen
imitation windows. WHICH though they do not
admit light do yet reject from the other windows
The ceiling Is open aud plain and ~ paiDted white,
as are aiso the walls. The galleries are finished IN
lgnt lavender Color ana are supported oy series OF
neat Corntlan columns. The cnurcn is not very
large but can easily accommodate one thousand two
hundred persons. The congregation YESTERDAY
owing 10 the storm without, did not number above
Ave hundred, put the utmost decorum and attention
was observed throughout The somewhat heightened
services. For few minutes previous 10 the opening
hour the organst played an overture but soon as
the pastor (Rcv. J. +. Elder appeared this was
changed lor the arst notes OF Old Hundred !"
rise and join IN singing "Praise God from whom
ail blessings now.n This was rather pleas
might be prodtaoly initiated BY other churches
the pastor then led the audience, in recitlnz
the Lords prayer. after which o hymn was sung,
portion Of the Sermon on the Mount tMatthcw W
was read, prayer followed, ami the choir then
chanted Rev. l., 5, 6. 7--"Unso Him mat love
ble. The alto voice was rather shrill and piercing
than round and volumnOus Tne tenor was passa
BILE, but the soprano and bass barely dissn-
gulshable. However, nelther the day nor The occa
sion were very favorable for exhibitions OF vocal
music, and allowances must therefore be made.
Nevertheless, one must always feel that quartet
IN gallery pralsing God, while the audience below
with almost bated breath catch every strain with
out being able 80 unite IN prolongng them Is en-
tirely out OF place. and that The service OF In
the sanctuary belongs rightly TO ali the people.
Hence the most pleasing exhibitions are those OF
children where all sing, and because all sing. And
the best 1lled churohcs are those wherein AL the
people praise God-Where congregational singing L.
praciiscd
Among The solid men OF this church NAV he named
nue.; Addison r. Roberts rnd A. +. Hastings OF Madi.
son avenue; Robert Colpute and William J.T0dd, OF
Twenty -third street; Dewitt Z. Hays, oil IhlItsth
street; Mr ferris, of Thirty street; W,a,n
A. Daring OF Fortteth street formerly MEMBER oi
Congress and president Of the Third Avenue Raj
road Company; William ID. Murphy, James Cum
mlngs, Mr.. Comsiock and Others They could well
AFFORD to pay $l2O for theerectioD OF their church
edince After the first opening oI the church Dr.
Hague minisered TO the people. Dr. Weston sue
oeedeu hun. and on the LIST OF January, 1870. the
present pastor Rev. J. 4. Eaer. took charge. He IA
ayonng man OF medium height, darE complexion
aud hair, and penetrating eyes. lie posse deep
bass voice aud utters all his words tiIstincn
anu WIN apparent care. HIS pllplt was hied yes
terday by The Rev. Dr. Ranbeau, President OF WI.
liam Jewell College, Missouri, who - on y VISIT
to the East 10 raise sIDoney Tor The support
OF tBat institution. He preached all eloquent ser
mon on the evidences OF the divinity Of the Christian
religion, the covenant OF Gods grace win man and
the consultations That spring from the assurance oi
the divine form In human hearts. Ills text was
III samuel xxtii., 5.
The eylasncea Of the divinity VI Christianity, hs