The New York herald., 1870-06-06
Religious Services Yesterday.

Yesterday was one of those rare Sundays
when Jews as well as Christians meet to pray.
The feast of Pentecost assembled the Israel
ties in their synagogues, and the same feast
was celebrated in many of the Christian
churches. At the Catholic houses Of worship
the attendance was large, as is always the
case on Whitsunday, and the sermons, which
were all devoted to the subject of the feast,
were listened to with all the attention they
deserved. It was announced from the pulpit
that next Sunday there would be collection
in aid Of the Papal treasury, which was at a
very low ebb In advance we must express
the hope that the subscriptions will be liberal
In spite of his infallibility Pope Plus cannot
get along without funds. Fallible mortals,
who deal in dry goods and groceries, some
how expect his Holiness to pay the cash after
moderate period has elapsed from the time OF
Catholic religious rites were those at st.
Albans, where Rev. Mr.. Noyes preached
a sermon in which he claimed infalli-
bility for the successors of the Apostles
and maintained the doctrine of the
presence of Christ in the eucharist. On the
other hand, at Lyric Hall, Mr.. rockingham
condemned the discussion of questions relating
to rites and ceremonies. The same clergyman
also declared that in all his life he had seen
but two or three persons whom he believed
''to have been Christians through and
through" This unfortunate experience of Mr..
rockingham has not been without effect, if
we may Judge by his peculiar religious views.
On the whole, however, Mr.. rockingham was
unusually dull. There was little sensation
at Berean Baptist church, caused by some
rascally infdels exploding package
of Chinese frecrackers under one of the win
dows, much to the horror Of a part of the con-
gregation not yet prepared to go to heaven.
AS soon as order was restored the pastor dis
coursed on "Christ and Public Opinion" a
topic well treated. At the Church of the Mes
siah Rev. Mr.. Hepworth preached on the rite Of
the Communion, explaining its origin aud sig
niicance in eloquent and convincing language.
At the American Free Church Rev. Mr. Smyth
discoursed on the Affections of life, which are
undoubtedly many and hard to bear. In
connection with life Affections was the treat
ment of Fenianism from a religious point OF
view by an Episcopal bishop in Montreal. The
reverend gentleman actually returned thanks
to God for aiding and protecting the Canadian
forces during the recent excitement along the
border. 1t is possible that the Lord smote the
Fenians, but we do not believe it. We have
no idea that the Lord was troubling himself
about the Canada frontier while the Fenians
were in the vicinity.
Whether it was the warm weather or some
thing else we are unable to determine, but ii
is certain that Brother Beecher was unusually
sedate and sober yesterday. He appeared in
church for the first time this season in sum-
mer costume, opened the proceedings by ad-
vertising and giving quiet puff to ''foral
concert" and then delivering discourse on
the infirmities of mankind, dealing charitably
with them and imparting hope to those whose
idiosyncrasies often lead them astray. At the
Central Presbyterian church, in Brooklyn, Rev.
Mr.. Talmadge vigorously STACKED the villanies
of the day, exposing many Of them in plain
English and, altogether, delivering very SEN
sible sermon. At the other churches, in this
city, Brooklyn, Washington. and Jersey City,
there were the usual services and the usual
sermons The day was a successful one.
Everywhere the attendance was good, and as
there was more praying than usual, because
of the Jewish feast, we have reason to hope
that the amount of forgiveness and charity
showered down upon us was proportionably
increased.