The New York herald., 1870-02-21
SEVENTH s7sEEr METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Rev. Samuel Backman in Horace CooIse'
Puipt--A New Broom.

The Rev. Samuel Backmaa in Horace CooIse'-
Puipit--A New Broom.
The Methodist Epscopal church in seventh street
OF which the notorious Horace Cooke Westminster
held a large congregation yesterday aud the Rev.
Samuel Backman, the new rector, prayed with Ter
vor and preached with great earnestness. He is
gentleman OF polished manners, mas q splendid
voice. which he manages admirably, and is literally
endowed with intellectual GIFTS. Though stranger
10 bis congregation, he seems to be beloved already
His ministry yesterday gave great satisfaction. The
rrst lesson OF the morning was the first Psalm
which was read in full, and was followed by tne
l1Jth hymn OF the Methodist Episcopal collection
The congregation were surprised, and no DOUBT,
greatly edited, by an announcement the minister
made previous TO the sermon. Somebody he said had
sent him an anonymous letter, and he wished to
remind whoever wrote Il that II his lnvarlable
rule to throw anonymous communications IN the
6re. IL was o mean, cowardly and contemplate
Sning for anybody 10 do, and he warned the
writer, whoever he was, tnat he had utterly
failed In his object. Mr. Backman then alluded
to the mass meeting 90 0e held tonight
cooper Institute IN AID OF the soldiers Home, and
requested the congregation to attend IT,. Too much,
he said, could not be done for the brave boys who
fought our battles and for their WIDOWS and or
phans. Attention was also called to the subject OF
the approaching Methodist Conference. Two hun
dred ministers would be the guests OF the Seventh
street congregations ana it would be the privilege OF
some FAMILIES 10 give accommodations to them la
their homes The presence OF the ministers IN these
homes would be productive he had no doubt, CT
great blessing The last announcement made by the
reverend gentleman, and not the least important,
was that ''basket collection would be taken 40
FOR The Deneht OF the Tract Society anu the sunday
School Uni6n
Haylng thus disposed OF the pile OF notices before
him on the pulpit Mr.. Backman began his sermon.
The text selected or the discourse was part OF the
sixteenth verse OF Tie fourth chapter OF the hrst
epistle general OF Jonn-''God IS Love-" The chaf-
acter OF the apostle and his peculiar love l2r the
savior were commented on AT considerable lengll
John was the favore of Jesus ana closer to his
heart than any OF the twelve Hence the mpor
iant detiafation contained in the text coming
did from John, has more force and meant. man n
IT had beep g!teYed ~ any Or sas otnef followers OF
>alIlsh gfeal writer well observed that the epls
les general OF John Gods love letters TO the
world. All through them there Is a pathos and
tenderness winch speak OF HIS abounding love FOR
humanity. Mr.. Backman then commented on the
quality or the love which Is GOD, and dWeL elo-
quenty on the surprising condesenson ana numility
OF Christ. None we're too poor In heart or purse,
none TOO wretched Tor Him. To the poor aud needy
OF the world as well as TO rich the blessed invita-
tion sent and the glorious promise held out. The
congregation listened with marked attention 10 the
preacher ana seemed TO be considerably moved Dv
the eloquent peroration with which the sermon was
concluded. the collection on behalf OF the Tract
Society was then taken up and the services We're
brought to conclusion by singing aud prayer.