The New York herald., 1870-05-02
Tho Ohurches Yesterday.


A prominent topic for religious dlscourses
at the churches yesterday was the recent
terrible calamity in Richmond, which enabled
quite number Of clergymen to ventilate their
ideas touching the mysterious ways Of Pro-
vidence. Aside from these sermons, to which
we shall specially refer another time, there
was much said of an interesting nature at
tho several places of worship reported else
where. At Plymouth church, which was
bedecked with flowers in such profusion as
would have tempted Mirabeau himself
into the tabernacle, some one hundred
persons were admitted to membership.
Brother Beecher discoursed on the hidden
life of the Christian, contending that care
less or ordinary exterior often conceals soul
animated by the sacred fires Of religion. For
humanitys sake we pray this Is so; for,
although we are told to judge men by their
works, charity pleads for lenience and compels
us to agree with Mr.. Beecher. Pretty much on
the same subject Mr.. rockingham preached in
this city. He also thought that the good,
the true, the beautiful In mankind was con-
cealed within man, and he might have added
that these qualities are often so well concealed
that they never can be found when sought for.
However, Mr.. rockingham is hardly an ortho-
dox authority, neither is his the Church of the
True Believers, which our reporter vainly
sought, although we do not question the sim
cerity Of his congregation. But the church in
question was particular one with that title,
and as it appears to have but twenty-five men,
bers, we fear that Christianity is in bad way,
il being the only church Of the True Believers
in town. AT the Church Of the Messiah the
usual services were varied by scene Of much
sadness, arising from the attempt Of an evil
IDENTIFY inssne lady to take possession Of the
pulpit. She was led out Of the sacred place,
after which Mr.. Hepworth proceeded to
deliver an eloquent sermon. At all the other
churches, Catholic and Protestant alike the
attendance was large, the music aud other
material appliances admirable and the dis
courses of the ordinary quality.
It will be observed that we devote much
space this morning to reports of the churches
attended by the colored people. Our African
brother, we are glad to note, progresses reli-
giously with as. much rapidity as he does politi-
cally. Perhaps he was triae too demonstra-
tive at the Abyssinian Baptist church, but this
must be overlooked on the ground of his nat,-
raj impulsiveness. At this place the colored
brothers and sisters told their religious expe-
riences with refreshing candor, one ancient
sinner even confessing that he had been
chased by the devil. At the African Mis-
sion church Rev. Mr.. Wood preached
brief sermon on the unchangeable
character Of God, after which he fell into
what was evidently profound revery, which
the reporter mistook for quiet nap. Here
also, the congregation was most enthusiastic
in manifesting religious feelings. At Zion,
ST. Philip, Shiloh, Laurens street Presbyterian
and other churches patronized by the bene-
ficiaries of the fifteenth amendment sensible
sermons were delivered. Caesar and Maria
Titus and Jane fervently, If not noiselessly,
offered up their prayers.
And so the day passed, whites and blacks
performing their religious duties in a manner
becoming Christians, and, we trust, accepta-
bic to the Lord.