The New York herald., 1870-02-07
CHURCH Of THE MESSIAH.

CHURCH Of THE MESSIAH
Those Attending the Church-Scientinc Music
aud Congregational SiMsinx-Rev. MIR. Hep-
worth as a Prearhcr.
Among our numerous magnificent metropolitan
churches there are very lew exceng in majestic
proportions and completeness and beauty OF design
and finish the Church Of the Messiah, corner of
Thirty fourth street ana Park avenue It's locality is
at the great centre OF wealth ana fashion. The
religion. tOo-i we may characterize the
special tenels OF any religious denomination as re-
hglon--is also OF popular character II IL 4 popu
iarty, however, that is growing and That yer
been able to attract from the Episcopal Chnrch-the
great head and front a, present Of our fashionable
church worship-the numbers which promise before
long to come crowdinR within Its broad and
free folds Rev. Mr.. Hepworth. the pastor OF
the Church OF the Messiah IN succeeding that
able and popular preacher Rev. Dr. 0sgood sue
ceeded TO splendid pastorate IN numbers in
wealth, In Intelligence ana refinement. 10 give the
names OF the prominent men who make this the
place of their sunday worship wosld require
columns. Among them may be named the well
known monnalres Joseph Miller ID. A. Hawkins,
George +. Penniman, William b. Dinsmore. presi-
dent OF Adams Express Company; j. K. Lawrence.
the carriage manufacturer; w. l.. CoGswell; George
f. Gilmer, ana OF the American Tea Company Peter
Paine: g. W. Miller, one OF the principal men OF the
Manhattan Club. Besides these and their families
there are ex-Judgc Hilton and family, including
his daughters SO Conspicuous for their personal
beauty and exJudge Sterling; the family OF the late
UdofO Wolfe; A. Dodw0rth OF musical memory, and
family; both members OF the heavy dry goods nrm,
Messrs. Anthony a Ball. and Henry FrOthnghain
whose Incarceration IN lunatlc asylum some time
since created such an excitement in the newspa-
pers. Among the established bellies OF our fashion
able society may be mentioned MISS Pierce Of Irving
places MissIea, Of Thirty seventh street: Miss Marcy
OF F0rtyseventh street, Miss Perry, OF Fifth avenue:
Miss Phipps, OF Madison avenue, and Miss Palmer.
But on every side are to be seen youth and beauty
aud people OF fashion, ana with them exqulsltely
rich toilets. Such congregation. such refinement
and wealth should stimulate any minister to eo-
quent uterances.
At the services last evening-whlch are sample
OF the tgenera Sabbath evening services an d, for
That matter except in the difference OF sermons ana
tue singing counterpart OF the morning services
the church, az usual was crowded. something
more than the mere filling or the pews Is here meant
by beng crowded. 1t mems filling the aisles
happens. The steps or the platform fronting the
pulpit and all the standing room besides and Tins
are unaoe to obtain admission. OF course 1t ~ the
magnetism of the preacher that draws many here,
abetted certainly TO some, and possibly a considera-
BILE, extent, by he unsurpassed excellence OF the
church music. AS the congregation are coming In:
az the urbane and efficient sexton, Mr.. George
Berry and the polite janitors Messrs. Whipple Car
ter and Pnipps, striving to seat strangers
not renting pews-and the pewholders here
universally characterized by a marked sprlt
OF politeness and accommodation 10 strangers
Mr. George Howe. tue accomplished Oraanist.
u PLAYING on the organ series Of sweetly dlvine
Vountarles There Is nothing like music TO dinuse
sacredy calm and worshipful feeling over a congre-
CATION The congregation shortly are seated-for
TINS congregation ~ pnctual IN Its aftendance-Lhe
minister dyances INTO the pnlpit and The choir sing
their opening piece, which tonight Is a "Magni.
feat" the composition Of Mr.. Howe the accom-
plished 0rganlst. IL opens with long SOLO, most
sWeetly and effectively sung by that Rnsur-
passed soprano. Mrs. Flicker AS the bird-llse
tones Ill The interior OF the sacred edihce ris-
ing and falling with divine melody, one almost
despite tins pulpit and sacrta altar-thinks he is
listening to the mpassioned music of Drlun donn1
III the opera. soon the deep baritone OF Mir j. X.
Thomas adds its melody 10 the song, and then the
sweel-voiced contralto, Miss Rasby, aud thcu that
Brgnoli In enrapetfed silence the vast congregation
listen TO tins song Next comes a trio from tie
Creation sang with tde same exquisite perfection
Following this the minister reads some select pas.
sages OF scripture. He Is a hne reader, with clear
ncxlble voice, aud by his style Of reading, simple
but effective, adds greatly TO the force OF the pas
sages read.
Closing the sacred volume, leaning gently forward
in the pulpit extending his hands apaft as wishing
10 take IN ali before him IN ms coming supDcations
to the givcr OF every good and perfect
giit, he offers prayer. II is model
iull OF hope and far reaching IN its aspirations III
there is anything in expression IL Is finely wordei
congregational hymn. After reading It. SAYS Mr.
Hepworth, LET oil sing as though they were not
AFRAID Rising, the congregation DO sing with
fearless and inspiring fervOr. Those united voices
rlng together with good harmony. There IL a ring
of congregational worship and ieellng In It,
.oa mr. hepwoatn now rises rom ms sof.y cushioned
steps to tho pulpit facing him and lays upon the vel
veted covering two small cards containing his notes
congregation. There Is breathesS silence. In a low
tone, but Ia the alLpervading stiffness perfectly
andple m TO te farnes m limits OF tne far away gallery
verses and then repeats them, still In the
same low tone OF voice. He begins in a
slow and measured tone, ana thus continues
the opening sentences TO his pcroration Every
ssansy nssa IT 'a' IS he bs2Sg sabdes sbadf pls s9p
lude TO good piece OF music. soon his tone OF
vsce reaches higher ana broader and deeper com
pass II is the gentle rvuet at the source OF great
majestic river, inurmurinR and ripping In Its gradual
descent from the mountain height, and yet fuli Of
beautiful melody onward courses the stream,
widening and reaching to farther depths Till "
OF States, winding through valleys and
waters into the great bosom OF the sea. And such
Is his style oil oratory growing mpetuons he
warns up with his subject Ills text last night was
Acts. XIV, l0:-"Stand upright on thy ieci.n The
theme OF which this text Is the basis Is one inspir
ing all his oraIolial energy. lie told bis audience
how TO make life manly. IL was to him
~sfrong purpose. and let nothing under Gods
heaven Keep them back. Times OF trouble brough
out the traits Of true manhood. He talked OF cor.
ruptions IN politics. OF corruptions in the Judiciary OF
corruptions IN business aud AL with wonderful co.
quence. As he warmed up with his subject, sentences
OF living fire one after the other pouring form
from his lips with rcsstiess inlpetuosty and force
Has earncstaess called up that passage OF Cow per- -
BY him, The violated Jaw
Speaks out It's thunders, and In tones sweet
As angels in tho gospel whisper peace
There is religion In such sermon: there ia elo
qneDce III IL; there Is power and convection Ma
cauiey's finest sentences are no better. he talks
with the briancy OF an essayst. lie breaches MOI
without PREPARATION doubtless, nut certainly NOT
without Inspiration. But the congTegatiop do nor
wish these inspired utterances lost. Near by sits
Mr.. Whiiam r Salter skilful phonographer who Is
specxiy cinpioycu with Inc swift cunning OF his
subtle art To take down his sermons ..IcI me Deg
9i you 70 i've noble !ivcsn are ms closing words
lie sits down.
lhefe u perfect stiffness in the honse on, only for
y moment The choir N low tones enact, and the
ehant haguS above wnispey-the LoId's