The New York herald., 1870-03-07
GRACE cHuaca.

Lenten services-BenutifuI Music by the
Choir and "a Short Lecture by the Rev. DIR.
Potter.
For the Protestant iconoclasts the cold and
austere believers in the faith OF Luther Knox and
Praise God Barebones, yesterday had no unusual
significance In their view it was an ordinary Sab
bath and no more sacred than any other seventh
day OF the year; but for the Roman Catholic world
and for the multitudes VINO, reigiously considered
stand half way between Rome ana Geneva.
1t was deeply important day. Commence
rative OF the Savloar's Passion as Is the
Lenten season. the greatest interest naturally
centres in the first Sunday. Something OF the
gloom OF Puritan houses OF worship surrounds t he
affairs OF the churches IN which the day Is celebrated
with the pomp and pride or the ancient faith The
reverberatlng sounds or the organ strike solemnlY
on the ears Of the enrapured worshippers; the low
monotonous chant of the officiating priest thrills
through the most finty hearts, while the words OF
admOntion and of warning falling from the pulpit
have o double power. Just in proportion TO the
strength OF the inclination that exists church
community or Protestants for the Roman ritual is
the respect for the Lenten manifested. Where
High Church fantastics fondly cherished there
the srictest Protestant Interpretation OF Christian
duty during the forty days. fast Is exemplined. SO
much as a prelude.
Grace church though most decidedly "hichv in
one respect-so much so, In TACT, That nothing
'sow'' could possibly find ts way through It's arched
Brown-ls not temple deyoted to the practice OF
religious genuhexons; yet, owing TO the fact that
none but the upper ten" OF the metropolis pray
beneath its gorgeous rooi a careful observer viii
not Iall To notice evident partlallty for form ana
ceremonial The feeling ls perhaps, the consequence
OF gorgeous decoration, rich trAppings and melo-
dious music, and prevails a.ore or less all
wealthy congregations. From door to chancel
York's favored OF fortune. Bent over their
richly ornamented books or leaning back IN
languid enjoyment OF the music, the queens OF
fashion were present IN hundreds. But their
Iar faces no trace OF mental suffering aud physical
morlncatIon could be traced. Perhaps the nabit OF
reserve, the studied stare OF fashionable Indifference
hld tue souls emotion aud concealed the shafts or
pain. Ihe solemn services OF the day however,
were followed with more tnan usual attention, and
during the long agony OF the Lltany pretty parting
lips suggested the ldea Of whispered "Good Lord
The insane fanatics whose misdirected zeal ban
ished The organ from the sanctuary laid religion up
III ordinary. IL would be impossible to suppose
Tor moment that Grace church could survive the
taking OIL OF the ever affable Brown to Imagine
ibis distinguished congregation could worship with
out music The sounding organ, thrown into rel-
gious ecstacles under the gllted hands Of Warren,
aud the cultivated voices Of the well trained quartet
OF singers brought heaven to the hearts OF the
shippers. The services might be long, monotonous
ana wearing; the preaching dull, heavy and sopo.
rlhc hut no soul could remain long unmoyed while
sweet sounds flled the church. Pity 1t Is that the
Litany cannot be set 10 music, the Confession OF
Fath chanted TO organ accompaniment aud all
long sermons arranged for foCr voices. The SER
mons might not be so easy 10 report; but then con-
Observation-Disclosures congregations at least
would be sure 10 keep awake. There could be no
DOUBT Of the effect Of the music at This church yes
terday. The selections were excellent, though too
few, and were given In mastery manner. The
following was
THE MUSICAL PROGRAMME.
Vene .Inosenthal.
Sora ratia ........... haydn
10 Deum NO. r. warren.
beneoetus. Havdn
Hymn go (from st. Cecilia ass. Gounod.
The merits OF the ladies and gentlemen composing
the choir have frequently been acknowledged In the
HERALD reports, and 1t Is unnecessary to say more
than tnat four more highly cultured and well BAL
anced voices cannot De found IN the city.
Immediately after the reatng ol the lessons OF the
REMIND the congregation That TINS was the first Sun
day In Lent ana asked them 10 follow him IN
due observance OF the season. so that on Easter
sunday when tney repaired to the church,
they would feei chastened in spirit. IL
was the duty OF parents to get their children
to abstain ana to make sacrifices in the holy sea-
son. Tne habit OF prayer anu self-denial wOuld
grow with their growth. The reverend gentleman
urged that while no sacrlfices should De mace n
der the orders OF an earthly potentate, was the
duty OF all good Christians 10 last aud pray obe
dlence to the will OF God and III HIS honor. The
then sung
Just as / am Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise believe
Lamb OF God, come.
This being communion Sunday, the usual sermon
was dispensed with, Dut IN lieu thereof the Rev. DR.
Potter delivered short address the lusts and
pride Of life, after which The benedlcuon was pro-
nourced, the organ pealed forth lively air and the
congregation moved out INTO Broadway.
FIFTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH