The New York herald., 1870-02-28
ST. klBAN's AITuAlsTlc cHusca.

The symbols md CeremoniaIs Of R2run lis,n--
Exhertntion to Fasting, Meditation and
Prayer.
st. Adams Rituaitstc church, corner OF Lexington
avenue and East Forty seventh street. is nota pre-.
'scDtiOus edldce. Surrounding buildings conceal it
from distant observation and it's plain, steep roof
10 surmounted only by q bell, that swings between
two pillars Of stone. The entrance is small and un.
inviting to the sristocrat but its interior is beautiful
and was crowded yesterday with intelligence, refine
nent and elegance. Every seat was flled to Its
utmost capacity, ana when the services commenced
she scene within, viewed from the yestlbule, was
very impressive. The azure hues 7of the roof and
the gorgeous colors that Moved from the stained
glass panels blended their tnts inbo semblance of
tangible religious light" through whose dimness
the silver and golden symbols and the tapers OF the
altar but family CLEANED, and the solemn chants
sweiied as II from distant cleristers. Above and
beyond al the cAancci windows glowed like the
gates OF the morning.
The services Of this church are OF the orthodox
ritua listic order. The ofcssng clergymen are al.
tired In eccleslastlca vestmcnts and are surrounded
In their exercises by throng Of white r0bed Choir
listers. While the ceebrans solemny recites the pre-
scribed passages the members of the congregation
alternately bow and cross themselves In the re-
ypOnses ana the sweet singers around the altar nl
the edince with harmony. Additional tapers are
nghed aS the worship progresses, ana eve,y form OF
devotion Is made to impress the most careless OBJ
server.
The rector, Rev. DR.. Merrill, preached FROM Luke
xviii., 31-'Then he took unto him the twelve and
said unto them, Behold, go UP 10 jerusalem and
al things that written by the prophets concern
ing the Son OF Man shall be accomplished" Alter
referring to the clrcumStances OF the visits to Beth
lehem and Jerusalem in those days. the preacher
said that this was the time when the followers OF
christ should spiritually 60 to Jerusalem Religious
exercises were no less dependent upon circum-
one. could be on his knees at stated periods
with unvarylnR regularity; put one day In the week
least could be Set apart for the formal worship Of
God ana should be rlgldly observed. The season OF
Lent was the most solemn and fitting occasion for
maniiestng sense OF dependence upon and graft
tudc and suppcatiOn TO God. This not
only applied to the protesting CHRISTIAN, but
TO the sinner, who should certainly realize
at this time his pcrilOus condition and the
necessity OF salvation. The whole world should
now reflect upon Its treatment OF Christ, how |:
mocked and denica and crucfed Him with Its
covetousness, Its usts, Its Injustice and Its bias.
phemy No one could excuse himself from the
solemn worship OF God al this season: Every soul
and prayer, and especially those who profess
Christianity. There was great body OF
the Church in this city, but how much
ir contained OF hypocrisy ana wicKedness az
heart How little attention s paid TO the spread
Of the Gospel and what an awful balance must
the recording angel have against 1t IL was only by
the observance OF such duties prescribed for
the season Of Lent that the Church could effect a
change in this respect, and every man who turned
from 1t with careless indifference would lay up
against himself judgments to MS eternal sorrow.