The New York herald., 1870-11-14


more of genuine orthodoxy and would be lacking
in sensatIonalism. To great extent the dscourses
delivered yesterday partake OF these characteristics,
but perusal OF the sermons given to-day will show
that there Is no lack of suDject matters Of interest
winch to dilate and that there is not much hesi-
fancy the part OF the preachers to make The best
use OF the time and subjects.
NEW ENGLAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Eloanent Sermon by Rev. Merrill Rici,nrGl-
son--True knowledge OF God Turns Fear to
Joyous Trust-Olden Supersiitions and
Modern Ghosts and Gob.ins Leading Ele-
ments of the Past and Present Worship
WhnI True. Religion is-PrOgramue of In
staIlation of The Fnsiar.
The brightly brilliant sunshine or yesterday, and
warm, bany air, the closing days OF our golden
autumn, drives out, no doubt large attendance at
all the city churches; for when nature is in her most
smiling and brilliant mood everybody is closely
drawn TO the worship OF It's great source and foun
tam head; but certain 1t that the new church OF
the New England Congregational church, corner or
Madison avenue and Fory-seventh street, over
which Rev. Merrill Richardson is pastor, was
filled to its utmost capacity With the crowds
tnronging to hear its eloquent minister, who, for
soundiy logical discourse and earnest and impress
the day, the church edlhce VIII soon prove wholly
inadequate. He IS not pretentlous preacher -amy,
pompous and striving after effect. He Is natural,
forcibe, hits the nall the head and this Is the
secret of his eoquence and growing popularity The
subject yesterday was-"A true knowledge Of God
turns fear to Joyous trust" in the brief limits Of
a half column report 1t IS impossible 10 do justice
to the discourse. He talked over hour talking
several columns. He began slow measured tones,
combining himself to his written notes, but warming
up with his subject he discarded notes and the
nnes Of his pulpit and IN strain OF impassioned
oratory electrified and held spellbound his large
audience.
THE SERMON.
he text upon which the sermon was based was
Matthew, vi, 50"Be of good cheer; Is /; be not
afraid" This text, he began, was uttered by Christ
to His disciples when they filed with fear. 1t
was time OF storm and darkness and peril. These
words OF Christ reassured their confidence strength
ened their faith, showed them in return they could
trust Him. He first considered how full OF fear the
world has been Fear was the principal element in the
olden time. We call II superstition. 1t was de-
basng fear The benehcent operations OF nature
have been deemed teachings OF wrath. Fear has Its
proper place. There Is the fear Of penalties which
has a wholesome restraining eject upon evil doers;
the magistrate, as says st. Paul. bears not the
sword in vain over tile pagan world. Fear has
been the principal element OF worship In lands not
GHOSTS HAVE BEEN SEEN
a tree door creakng in the wind has frightened
many In graveyards ghosts have been conjured
mysteries OF nature, the phosphorescences OF the
sea, comets. earthquakes, cyclones, thunder and
ag1nations OF men, The glory OF God has been
gwen 10 demons. Earth, ar and water have been
peopled with evil spirits. Base superstition has
taken the place OF worship. The extent to which
knowledge has couneracted such debasement was
the next point Disease. contagon, pain, famine.
storm, flood, atmospheric phenomena, comets and
eclipses longer viewed az the work OF demons.
GODS VOICE EVERYWHERE
Is heard in them saying, Be OF good cheer for il is
IL They should snun The Of evil and trust
Cod who never acts conspicuously We de-
dwelt with marked eloquence the universally
of Gods voice and the teachings 1t carried with IT,
The
was only voice 10 that people to leave whskey
alone and live truer and better lives. That was a
strange spectacle in the British Parliament when a
day OF fasting and prayer was appointed and they
besought God to remove His hand.n These
were their very words; but while IN the very
midst OF their beseechlngs q stencil came, waited
up from the Thames, SO permeaing, so odious
deathy, that they had to drop their hands raised III
prayer and hurry away 10 the pure to them
selves from being asphyXated.
GOD NEVER HEARS PRAYERS
such as this. His laws Interchangeable. If we
would keep contaglon away from our city we must
keep our streets clean and obey the laws or health.
Praying would do no good. lie enforced This point
with numerous illustrations showing that men must
accommodate themselves to Gods laws, and that He
viii not change His laws to accommodate them.
TRUST BANIsHES FEAR.
Not a thing IN Gods universe Is calculated to
excite fear The life principles he proceeded show
applied 10 our religion. some ministers preached
from their pulpts that it would not do to pay too
much attention to science 1t led to materalism.
No such thing. Science means simply knowledge.
The more knowledge has tile nearer ne
should be to Cod As he locks at the stars and
knows the laws by which they kept in motion,
he studies nature in all its aspects as he dives
deeper into the mysteries or creation, the
he o sees Goa Of what s Is rero a oM
often this question Is asked, and how many
and various are the replies some are told to count
their beads, TO tear their hair, to rend their gar
ments. TO DO penance in muttudnous ways.
Some hide themselves III converts and in the caves
and mountains OF the earth. Some starve them
selves. God wants no such thing. God has made
this world a world ofbeauty, and He would have His
glorious pomp OF field and woodland, and the
matchless majesty OF the sea. He don't want any
body to starye and look lean and lank. All this
Is wrong We should have strong bodies and
healthy minds, AMI then better fitted to
worship God. There Is no doubt OF the
EXPERIENCE or RELIGION,
of which so much mystery is sought TO be made
There should he fear but transgression. Break
be OF good cheA. In religion, as III nature, God
works by laws. 1t Is no chance work. They should
tells us no storm can shake it. Tney must wait for no
marvels no mysteries. Do The nrst duty; bear the
nrst cross, If your temper is violent restrain Il.
gion-this Is It's experience. JOY follows 1t inde-
scribable. True religion consists In keeping Gods
law. Christ works IN us TO VIII and 10 dS anu we
must work out our own salvation.
EVIL SPIRITS THERE ARE
but they come of indigestion late suppers, reading
exciting novels. There was never a ghost stood
before man. II any OF them would ever see one
ali tbey nave got to do is to walk straight up TO 1T,
and t viii disappear; and il 1t did not leave at once
let him know II. Finishing this topic OF his dis
course he showed how God held out nope 10 every
trusting soul Above the darkest cloud was the
clear sky. Out or our Affections came good. 1t was
theirs TO make life duty, 10 make II glorious, 10
crown 1t with splendid endcavor and more splendid
achievement They should rejoice they were under
such God They could trust Him now, trust HIM
through all their lives trust Him through All the
coming centuries.
INSTALLATION EXERCISES.
1t was announced that the installation OF hlmsell
as pastor OF the church wsuld take place
on Wednesday next, at hal-past seven, at
the church. According 10 tue programme
as announced these exercises promise 10 De
OF unusual interest. Probably SO many distln-