The New York herald., 1870-04-18
FREE METl0DisT CEURCl.

Dedication OF the Church in Forty.eighth
Street.-The Religious Arist0cracy of the
Present Day.
The building known as Bakers church In Forty
eignth street, between Eighth and Nath avenues,
having Lately been purchased oy the community or
Free Methodsts, their religious services iuau-
gurated yesefday Tor the lrst time. The congrega-
ton was numerous, ana the dedication sermon was
delivered by the Rev. H. 4. Roberts, or Rochester.
n. Y. Inc doctrine adopted by tne Free Methodis,s
Is simple in the extreme. They do not tolerate any
display, either In reference 10 their religious
services or their social lie. The present discipline
was adopted at a convention OF ministers and lay
men held at PeSin, Niagara county. y. Y, In the
fail OF 1860. Since then the growth OF the comma
nity has been very rapid, and the Official returns Tor
1865 show that there were four conferences, 100
stationed preachers 5,1l9 members, and church
property estimated at sli6, 800 The first Free Meth
odist church was organized Ia st. Louis, aud, al
though IL was then a siayehOldng city, the men,
beis openly opposed tue dealing Ia and the holding
OF slaves.
NoN-sLAyEHoLDING
was test OF membership
The service commenced by singing the 4G0th hymn.
After which the Rev. B. T. Roberts read the l5zd
Psalm and chapter seven or the Gospel Of 81. Mat
thew Taking his text from tue Acts OF the Apos-
tes XVIII. 22'Iiut we desire 10 hear oil thee whaG
thou tninkest; for as concerning Bs sect We know
that every where Is spoken aganst-tne reverend
preacher delivered an a0le AID Impressive address,
the Apostle raul was then creating great sensa-
ton aud therefore tnat the chefs OF the Jewa
appealed to hlm Iii that CORDIAL and frank manner
to learn more about the new doctrine thas
he preached. Many comments were naturally madd
the new sect, and they wished Tor Information In
order TO Judge OF its merits Tor themselves In all
ages difference opinion respect religion
ever been subject to persecution. in facI no better
illustration can be given tnan the lie OF Christ who
himself was prosecuted unto death, that through Hia
blood man might be saved. No De saved
until ne has passed through certain ordeal.
Christianity was but Sect and tnen follow ed
Hl1 -. "a
secuted III one OF the principal features OF the
Free Methodist doctrine Ii the periecr equality of all
men. Wealth OF worldly position induces no distnc
ton and members OF all Classes are admitted without
any reference 10 Tie rank they hold IN society.
| THE RELIGIOUS ARIs fOCRACY
that al present being fOsteredl many fashion,
able places OF worship IN tis count and especially
in tnis CITY IL quite contrary to the true spirit OF
liglOn. The sale OF pewS seats is "a question
' that should be energeucaly iousut against. Could
IL possibly ne rig HI tDat any poor person should be
| excluded from attendi q public worship merely be-
cause he cannot AFFORD TO pay Tor MS seaty 1t "a
well known that tue possession Of worldly riches ~
more detrimental than otherwise TO the salvation Of
| mankind In order 10 secure the love oil God u ~
necessary renounce all pleasures OF the world. in
OF religion all men equal. Tne Free Metho-
dsts work on this principle, aud inyite all, wlhous
any distinction, meet inem. rhey protest against
the theory OF religious arstOcracy and forbid ts
being observed IA reference TO their meetings me
seats In tneir churches were all Tree anu open TO all
| Politics also are now brought to bear too much
upon the Churca OF the present day; In fact, poi-
| Ilcians even mOnOpoize religion.
After the conclusion OF the sermon short address,
| was delivered Dy the Rev. William Gould OF BnR-
hamlon IN which ne alluded To the cost oil the ne NJ
| cnurcn-sl IL ooo-and called upon tae members 70
| contribute their share towards derayDg the same.
SUBSCRIPTIONS were tlen invited. which resulted ia
! sum total or 5000 being given Dy those present.
| Services were subsequently conducted by the Res.
Wiiliom Goud. a: three O'Clock T.. NJ, and In ths
evening" at haii-paSt seven O'Clock, by tue Rev. b. T.
| RoperIs.
| rue thanks of tine community OF Free Methodists
are due to Mr. Joseph Mackey ior the roerei sprit
| dspayed by MIN III reference to the promotion Of
! their general interests.