The New York herald., 1870-03-14
BROADWAY TABERNACLE.
History "f the Church-Thc C0ngre CATION,
Their Numbers and WeaIth-Thr Oldest
COnQregnIiOnnl Church Of The CITY.

History Of the Church-Thc COngre IA tion,
Their Numbers and WeaIth-The Oldest
Congregational Church Of the City.
The Broadway Tabernacle Is the Oldest congrega-
tional church IN New York. and the celebrated.
II holds about the same position 10 this city that
Plymouth church does to Brooklyn. The preac her
may not have the burning eloquence and fiery de-
livery OF the Brooklyn Gamaiiel. There may be
somewhat OF soften1g down between ana the
other when strict comparison Is made. DR.. joseph
p. Thompson Ii one oi the most popular preachers
in the city. lie has been for twenty-seven years
pastor OF an important church, aud still holds IL In a
firm grasp What TINS popularity is due TO IL would
be rather hard to say. Mr.. Thompson Is not elo-
ouent man IN tue full sense OF the word. HIS dis
course Is mild, cold and philosophical II breathes
rather the spirit OF controversy than OF love and
truth. The earnestness that Is undoubtedly
witnn him does not appear upon the sur
face. Thoroughly up in all the metaphysics OF
the Gospel ne apt 10 neglect the Importance ot
ccarnesa; that is clearnesS 10 an audience OF
age intellectually. There is certain religious slang
and devout cant, which Dreacherssafe very much III
the habit VI using. more from habit than IN tention
Continual intercourse with religious people brings
10 this, ana instead OF speaking the Engisb OF
the day they preach the saxon Of tee New resta-
mentall very good IN It's way, but Greek 10 great
many.
Mr.. Thompson's discourse yesterday morning
was on the necesaily OF God IN our cSDstence lie
began 6y saying that we, OF ourselves, were
nothing-to o was everything; not ony In heavenly
life. but III Ibe earthly life here Ue!ow. We were
weak and p9wsr,ess; = God was ainirnty.
and as a proof said tina, never saw
Him and could not substantate HIN. Tbc
people how helpIess they were, but FOR |, higher
power, which tney could not sec, not understand,
not grasp. II the hrst man Created himself. why
powerful, could he not have made his children I'M
inortals There were no laws Tor a creator. the
fact was God created US and aurtured MS and pre-
served us, ana gave muca attention an these
petty detas AZ nc did TO the great mystery of
| tion. And show great things necessarily de.
pended on small, the preacher gave an Illustra.
tion, his once travelling railroad. There was "A
1 short curve 10 round and wnen they came 10 the
| turn they found that only few yards OF another
| train war coming down on the same track right
against them. Immediately the breaks were
put down the engine reversed tine whistle
sounded everything done TO prevent collision, nut
the impetus OF the immense tram was sucn that IL
went on inspite OF all. let. bv miracle OF activity
and aertness, Dotn trains were stopped when only
few yards from each other Now, had the engine
not been reversed, or had some OF rhe brakes not
been put down. any other little detail not been
attended TO: mad the train been carried on only
lew short yards iarthef Ieafini acclaent would
Of the little things IN our lives ana the great took
care OF themselves. He was all love and protection,
and watched over Us with care such as no mother
bears her child ana all that might meet day
with him in the Eternal CITY and be forever happy
hereafter.
The Tabernacle yesterday held a good sized au.
dieDce and had the snow not intcrfered, 40 doubt
there would nave been a crowded one. Tie atten.
tlon paid To the sermon BILE. and the
devotion OF the congregation was also signal. fhe
singing Of the choir was very good. Miss Q. Y.
Hutchngs Is the soprano. This choir costs 81, 5o0
Ghe ovgsnist, Mrs. Christopher, ID remarkably nc
player. ana the instrument Is one OF the largest In
New YORK. This church was hrst organized IN iss2
In Broadway, at the tabernacle, then the largest
churcn III the city From It's nrst foundation 1t ue-
came one OF the best congregations mere. and
rapidly increased. In 1887 Gle church became
dissatisfied with It's qusrtcrs, aGd, following The
fashionable move resolved to go mp town. Fne site
chosen was the present one at the of
Broadway and Thirty-iourth street. The purchase
included SIX lots, and cost them. when everything
was deprelated $50 900. The building was imine-
diatey commenced and took Two years costing
100000 II was built on the nIodel OF thr isngiisn
catneHials with the grouyed arches and iaraa
massive pfars, all the pews being OF oak, " Is cx-
ceedlngy simple IN appearance, ana indeed TOO
simple 10 be pleasing 10 the eye. The preachers
desk decorated IN gothic STYLE AMI the ar9e organ
rising above 10 the roof, look l1lposing ALtue last
sale OF pews they brought sls 600. Out ~ this
$4,000 salary to the minister. Very few III lie
country receive as much. The churGn now num-
bers about 800 menlbera, who are as general hing
wealthy YET there is never any display OF dress III
service. The congregation is principally from New
England,