The New York herald., 1870-02-28
CHURCH or THE MESSIAH.

Unttnrinnism from Boston Point of View
Sermon by Rev. MIR. Cudsvortb, of Hos
tom.
Yesterdays lealen sky emily, raw atmosphere
anu altogether general gloomy aspect or the outer
world did not very strongly invite going TO church.
Conscientious persons-that Is to say, those paricu
larry conscientious the point Of church gong-put
on their good clothes and their best looks aud plea
santest smiles, and puncsually obeyed the summons
OF the church bell. The less conscientious are crea
lures Of whm and weather, ana especially on sun
days. Whether OWING to lack OF coHscientlousness
or the weather. or both, otherwise 1t IL very
tain that the beautiful Church Of the Messiah, corner
Park avenue and Thirtyfourth street. not yester
day ~ crowded as usual II Is unlikely, however,
that the fact thai Rev. Mr.. Hepworth, the regular
minister, would not occupy the pulpit, bat that
another gospel emlssary, and, though from Boston,
the great centre OF modern civxa ton and ntelli-
gence-a stranger In these less Intellectual at-
tudes-wouId pray and preach in his place. had
something to do with the diminished congregation.
IL seemed strange TO see the church hardly two
thirds full; for 1t Will be borne In ulind that the
usual cations meeti ng here occupy nearly all
the standing room-the rush, In fact, being
See See the Twelve Temptas,onsa at the famous
Thespian temple of worship on the west
that cher Gau Of sections and nshes .s Sat.
Mr. James Berry and his assistants in the latter and
| exclusive especially Messrs. wnippe, Carter, Macy
BabcOck, Phpps, Harbeck and Pierce. Yesterdays
services, IN fact, with Mr.. Hepworth absent, was no
| doubt regarded by many like going 10 see "shoo,
consequently they remained at nome. Among those
present yesterday morning. however, werc the
welghtY pillars OF the church, the OF substance
on Change, and some OF the ruling lights in fashion
able feminine circles were likewise promptly In
attendance, with the usual accOmpaniments OF rust
l monds.
Opening the services were played as usual, series
/ a.
| bat Mater. by MIR. Edward Howe, Jr., the grand
exquisite skill AS these @ delicioasy ",f sois and
snbdSlng strains died away on the listening ears
morning service MRS = FcSer exc % soprano; i Miss L. II.
Rushby controHo; Mr. Whiting, tenor, and Mr. s
Sy NE =
dious competition Next was sung with like ex
Hear what GOD the Lord hath spoken The music
arranged from Schuberts "Praise OF Tears Afto
suas Be rnes s nora
| by 8. Jackson. Prayer followed. and now
the rsnssr mnse Isl gvng sus .as
we have not mentioned yet, but who was the Rev
Mr. Mr. Cudwortn, SAID ne had heard good deal about
" and see If they could beat HIS own congregation
| which also was good at singing. The hymn was
4 faat familiar one
| Far from mortal cares rstreating.
4 sung to the tune OF Greenviilc. The coRgre-
g.,lon sang NJ with lnsty power, as n cnal.
Hnblres. Rev. Mr. Cudworth now preached.
taking for his text the ftn chapter OF FIRST Peter
| IL was an unusual sermon and also unusually In
teresting. Extreme religious enthusia sts would say
there was not much religion In It, Dut II IL failed
| tnis element or ordinary, and 1t may be added,
| generally, dull sermons theAacA was fully made ul
In life aud animation IN touching live topics Of art
and literature and invention, aud In the ANNA
ton OF a bold and ieryid style. This was more
| particularly characteristic or the purport Of the
| sermon lie ransacked the old Roman ana treclan
eras Tor Illustrations, SKINNED over the medieval
aoet Tor Smiles and cted philosopher and poet 10
give brilliant roundlngs 70 his periods And yet good
deal OF has sermon was semi-c0nversasio ional, with
tri1ing Incidents, almost bordering anecdotes IN
tervening a intervals But as he progressed In ms
sermon the real, earnest enthusiasm OF MS
nature revealed itself. He talked with fiery
zeal lie came to the inspiring theme OF his
text He spoke OF their special faith and upheld its
purpose and liberaty with the most impsssioned
fervor 1t was not sober faces that made men de-
vout. II was not long prayers that made men reii-
gions. IL was not giving away large sums OF money
That bought salvation. Religion TO do ones
duty with ones might and soul ana strength and
heart. 10 i've upright, to be pure and holy TO be
Godlike. The sermon WAS listened to with close at
tention Chanting the LORDS Prayer ana sip ylng a
congrcGalonal hymn closed the services.