The New York herald., 1870-05-16
The Churches Yesterday.

Yesterday was more like summer than like
spring. A warm sun, untempered by wind,
made the atmosphere close and almost uncom-
Portable Nevertheless the churches were
crowded to their utmost capacity, the clear
weather giving all persons an opportunity to
display their piety and their attire. That the
first was of greater consequence to tho
worshippers than the last we sincerely hope,
although 1t must be confessed that the dresses
were the most conspicuous. We shall not,
however, enter upon any speculation regard
ing the devoutness of the congregations. Mr..
Beecher said yesterday that there were plenty
of men who loved prayer and who had gone to
hell, and we presume he ought to know, so
that, after all, it seems excessive devotion is
not always asure means of getting to heaven.
The reverend gentleman also deeply regretted
the failure of Christianity to convert the world,
and attributed this to the Inconsistencies
of Christians, arising from the sectarian spirit.
AS this is the same opinion advanced in the
HERALD some time ago, we heartily agree
with Mr.. Beecher, who was, by the way, un-
usually facetious. Plymouth church resounded
with peals Of laughter when he described the
change which comes over maid-servant and
mistress after they have been really converted.
Why the apostle of the Brooklyn tabernacle
excites the mirth of his flock every Sunday
we cannot imagine. Perhaps it is because he
fears the odors of the flowers by which he Is
always surrounded may have an enervatng
effect upon his aristocratic congregation.
Who knows? And this suggestion brings up
the sermon delivered at the Central Presby-
terian church, in Brooklyn, by Rev. DR.. Tai
madge. He preached on the subject of spas
modc religion and fower-pot Christians, and
expressed a fear that the religion of the day
'was getting to be sickly, sentimental
thing" Now, we do not object to its being
sentimental, but we sincerely pray it will not
become unhealthy. Sick Christianity is only
species of Spiritualism.
In the way of vigorous preaching DR.. Chez
yer bore off the palm yesterday when he de-
clared the great Catholic Council an ecu
menical Council of human liars," which was
severe thing to say, but one we hope the Ro-
man bishops will not wax angry about. In
contrast with his energetic language was the
calm, dignified farewell of Rev. G. B. Smyth
to his pharisaical congregation. The church
was densely crowded and the general feeling
Of those present was one of sympathy for
the reverend gentleman. He offered no re-
proaches, but candidly told those who had been
instrumental in effecting his retirement that
they would live to regret it. Of course all the
Praise God Barebones present rejoiced at Mr..
Smyths losing his pastorship, and after tho
sermon was over expressed their joy in severe
ly sanctimonious language. Considering the
tribulations of these righteous mortals, we
advise them to engage the services Of Bishop
S. S. Snow, who solemnly avowed yesterday
at the Church of Spiritual Jerusalem that he
had been Commissioned by God" to
set crooked things straight, on the
strength of which the bishop delivered
sermon in which there was good deal about
the allegorical explanations of lightning, thun-
der voices and earthquakes Whether these
have any connection with the Importance of
Christian activity" on which subject Rev. Mr..
Stratton preached at the Lexington avenue
Methodist church, we cannot say. 1t might
be, however, that they bear some relation to
the wanderers from the fold," of whom Rev.
Mr.. Foote discoursed most eloquently at the
Christian church.
But be that as it may it is quite certain all
the preachers were active, with few elo-
quent, on the Sabbath day just passed. And
there were some sermons breathing the spirit
of a pure Christianity, and others rather
mixed up with the peculiar tenets Of our mod
ern moral reformers. On another occasion
we shall consider these last referred to.
Aside from them, the religious services and
discourses Of yesterday were interesting and
calculated to do much good to religion.