The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-09-12
TRINITY CHURCH.

Youss nemocracy or Safan-The Fashion OF
Hkansty Compared with Up-rsw. Churches-
6ermon by Rev. DR.. .p'<.
Tina oosnparas1vo1y crowded appearance OF TRINITY
church yesterday morning showed that the de-
licious GOODNESS OF the past week has already
brought back to the city many or the 'favortes of
fortunen who rushed away to the seaside the be-
ginning OF the cheated term" And not only was
the church crowded. but It's congregation mainly
consisted of its regular members; indeed, the num-
Der present belonging to this class seemed to
be larger than Is usual even far later
in the fall season. Perhaps heightened alb
sence had only made their hearts grow
onder OF this beautiful church and those simple yet
dignined services which have given it name and
fame throughout the whole country and made 1t
almost an OBJ ect OF pilgrimage for
THE PROVINCIAL PUBLIC.
However this may be, IL was evident that the
Knickerbocker element for med the solid substratum
OF the co aggregation, and an artist might have OBJ
tanned from among them without difficulty number
less designs of the most truthful character possible
for new illustrated edition Of the immortal
Diedrich. Many ponderous Peter stared from his
pew in unsurpassed dignity and half-awakened con-
GooD-NATURED RIP VAN WRINKLE
peacefully and noseessly slept through the some
fact this clingng Of so many OF our old residents
to the fortunes OF so decidedly downtown church
The beauty Of the chupch Itself and The exquisite
taste That seems TO pervade It's services account
not unnaturaly for such an attachment. True to its
sOBERLY RESPECTABLE INSTINCTS,
the general appearance OF this Knickerb0cker sec
ton Of the audience was emnently "quiet," almost
sombre, Its coloring. Indeed. so far this por-
ton OF its congregation was concerned, the church
presented striking contrast to many of the houses
OF God up town, where the pews are gay with every
narng tint that modern art has called into being,
while the sparkle OF diamonds and the sulen flash
ing Of golden ornaments disturb the devoions OF the
color-here bonnet Of pale grass green or there
some ribbons OF startling Magenta. or again,
mantle as many cOored as Joseph's coat-betrayed
sadly that even Trinity Is not wholly free from the
contaglon that has made 80 many OF our churches
mere haunts OF fashion. Probably, however, the
majority Of these
OBSERVATIONS SINNERS
were strangers, mere visitors, attracted by the de-
served fame OF Trinity music and of the general re-
In the free seats which run along the aisles and
standing nc the back OF the church there was the
dressed spectators, and there were also sprink-
ling OF huInby devout worsnippers, the HERALD
reporter, of course, being included in the latter
category. Here and there too, a recent arrival
from the Old Country might be noticed. Oppressed
evidently with that melancholy consciousness OF
being IA stranger in a strange land,'' he was seek
ing comfort in hearing from the lips Of the priest the
same solemn words he had heard in the ancient
little church OF his natal village. while he recog-
nized, perhaps, with sensible Quickening OF the
pulse and Tightening OF the heart that the solemn
tones OF the organ and the Of the chorlsters
earliest boyhood.
Before such an audience the reverend rector or
Trinity ana his curates opened yesterday what may
be not improperly termed the
''FALL CAMPAIGN
against the Devil and all his works. Fresh from
those watering places, where In the character OF
devOtees OF fashion, they had laid themselves open
TO the most terrific assaults of such temptations as
''envy, hatred, malice and all unchartableness."
the congregation seemed inclined to join in the
solemn confession at the opening OF the service,
1--WE have erred and strayed from Thy ways like
lngf a
through the service, too both on the side or the
pastor and the side OF the flock, tlIs tone of I'M
Verify, the angels must already sing songs Of re-
joicng over many an Grant truant returned to the
paths OF grace Still, ii should be noted that
TRINITY ENTERS THE LISTS
against the powers OF evil, armed only with the
voice or reason and strong In the simple majesty OF
truth. She does not seek to reclaim the sinner by
awing him with an over vivid portrayal of the tor
lures OF he'll or by winning him with rapturous de-
endeavor to capture him by the attractions Of cere
mona Of exceeding spendOr, or to tempt him within
her fold by offering to make him at once the equal in
be not prolanely described as .'spasmodic pietyn
enters into her programme. She works for good
merely with such weapons "a argument and the
moving example OF a pure and cody Ii fe; and she
trusts more than anything else in the influence of
that 'peauty Of honess'' which the Psalmist has
SO graphically described. Altogether,
~ THE SERVICE YESTERDAY
was OF very impressive character. The music,
however, seemed scarcely so good as 1t used to be,
made to the choir. and the mimltable execution OF
Morgan. Trinity music indeed, seems to show an in
creaslng tendency toward those intricate and
over nord Anglican compositions which DIR. DIX
or Mr.. Morgan, or whoever manages the musical
business OF the church, must know have already
been discarded by the acknowledged clerical lead
crs OF taste In England. The anthem, especially,
seemed TO strike pair Of confessedly unscenui1c
ears as being marred by several clear Sins against
sound musical principle. Then the responses to the
commandments IN the communion service are de-
cidedy change for the worse from the magnificent
cham Formerly a
Indeed, the rev chant appears to be singulary
meaningless and inappropriate.
Dr. DIX preached the sermon, taking for his text
tue parable OF
THE GOOD SAMARITAN,
from the tenth chapter of Luke. Having read the
whole parable the reverend preacher drew out
comparison between the condition OF mankind and
that OF the unfortunate man who fell among thieves,
while the good Samaritan. he said represented our
Saviour. Before the coming of Christ were in
the same miserable plight as that described in the
text, stripped OF our raiment, wounded, and
stretched on the wayside," poweress to escape from
the wrath 10 come. Moses passed us by, and Aaron
passed us by and then at last Jesus came to and
poured balm into the
made BY the thieves and brought us to an inn
that Is to say, 10 his Church~and ordered that we
Eh0nld be wei cared Tor. Compassion, indeed, was
the one signal ralt In the character OF Jesus. But
how dinlcnit twas to form IN idea OF the compass
sion OF Cod for his sinful children. Angels could not
do so because they had snned, and the devils
could not bee luSe they were wholly given over to
evil. But man could partially understand 1t, through
the mystery OF ihat incarnation IN which God,
through his Son. allied Himself nature and by
submitting to shameful death proved His sympathy
with pity for us Dir. DIX proceeded to impress
upon bis hearers the duty vi compassion. He eX-
posed the various forms Of selhshness and showed
the terrible state OF hard heartedness aud wilfnl
they involved. He closed by calling upon the
gregaton 10 subscribe literally TO the collection
about TO be maize for the poor OF the church. After
the lapse Of two months they were once again
abled 10 exercise III practical form the feelings of
benevolence nculclted by the Gospel and he trusted
they would avail themselves OF the opportunity.