The New York herald., 1870-03-07
lAGHT STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.


Lost sea-The Oneida Calamity ana the
Mississippi and Scranton Disastcrs-rae Ter
rihle Loss of Life During the Past Few
Weeks, and Who il Responsible.
Laignt street church is a quiet looking building.
No gorgeous stained windows, no fluted columns,
no intricate mouldings OF wood or stone attract the
observer from without lie may look opposite and
see the north side OF mammoth freight depot and
compare Its Imposing grandeur with the simple ap-
pearance OF the church opposite. Then he will
think how wonderful are the ways OF man,
how curious his tastes and how singular
his worship. To mammon he erects grand, imposing
edifces, sparing neither pains nor expense to God
he puts up plain building with little decoration
and less ornament But, then Mammon, You know,
gives him plenty OF money and Labor for his servant;
puts fine wine In his cellar and the fat OF the land In
his larder; clothes him In fine raiment ana causes
him TO be beloved because OF his riches. But God
only sends the sun In at his windows TO wake him
up a-morDings or the little beggar at his door to
ask penny. This makes all the difference In the
world. Mammon gets slx-sevenths aud Coo one.
seventh.
These may be oil theories; but go to Laight street
Baptist church and you will find that they have
very great practical side. Here there no display
Everything is plain. though neat. One may look
through the hafvacated, silent pews for the newest
chignon the latest bonnet for q Lord Stanley
scarf or French shirt bosom, and he will not find
them. But he will meet face that can smile even
If found IN church. hand that needs not the pro-
lection of sIrawscoiored glove to read q plain
prayer book. And, again, why should the worship
pers be fashionableS There is no set rule to the
graceful mode OF Kneeing, or at what angle to bend
the neck; there is equation for sidewalk worship
pers, and the streets have too busy look for sacred
nrtfng. Laght street church has like many others,
almost undergone revolution. For three years 1t
had no regular pastor, and Its congregation began
TO leave II, one by one and 60 up town TO wor-
ship at more gilded shrines. Last December there
were scarcely thirty supporters the church. when
the Rev. Frederick Evans Welsh minister from
Hyde Park, Pennsylvania, was called in aud given
the charge His nock was small but 1t has grown
larger since TILL now 1t Is quite respectable in num-
Ders. The pestor IS very young man, OF line per-
sonal appearance winning ways and delivery OF
aud tnis, added to his untlr1ng efforts IN the
good cause, has saved the churcn. In his efforts
are two, J. p. olmsuead and Jacob laval, aud by
the trustees, James Pyle the president, Jacob La
WALL J. z. Oiins5ead q. Z. Mowser (. 0ddieitow,
Waters. There Is nothing remarkable about the
music, being for the most part congregational. and
consisting OF simple hymns. Though the works OF
the great masters would be preferable they could
scarce inspire deeper feeling than the cnorus from
many throats OF a simple, touching hymn.
The discourse yesterday was emitted .The Lost on
Land anu Sea- and was fearful rebuke upon the |
responsible ones OF marine or land disasters TAX
disciples came TO him and awoke him, saying, Lord,
save us; we perlshtne speaker said that the tnfiu-
scribed. Those living now are surrounded by the
sages aud heroes OF the past. The learning OF Con-
nds RAPHAEL panied or All aaes
Handeps genius charms the minds aud hearts
OF the nineteenth century; more than all,
Christ Is the contemporary OF all men
at all times. His words are, 10, am with you
always, even unto the end Of the wOrld.n An ord
nary life mas a powerful influence upon society in
III
value. God, on Sinai, when the mountain shook
.rnou shalt not kiil.'' such fearful slaughter " Of
human lives as has happened In the past lew days
cannot but present spectacle that must produce
upon the mind and neart strong and powerful inil-
ences. The 10 persons that lost their lives the wreck
OF che Onleda; the seventy in the burning OF Mis-
the MISSISSIPPI Central Railroad; the eight that
were hurled to eternity by boiler explosion IN
scranton, Pa, all met terrible tate What sacr
nee OF human lives! What cries OF agony, and that
sound, "Lord save US; we PERISH"
The preacher then advanced the following pro-
pOsitions:-First men are exposed 10 imminent |
dangers and liable to sudden death sometimes be- |
cause Of the awkwardness and Inhunanlty OF |
others He applied this to the disgracelul conduct
OF the officers OF the Bombay, which /
struck the ONEIDA, People twenty miles OF |
How she eu e naarnS sTu0a ou eg ala
the history OF ocean lfe! at other times because OF
the neglect and indifference OF those IN authority
lessness OF capitalists. Tne reply Of Captain VIII
iams, Of the Oneida when informed that the vessel
was SINKING, WaS Il KNOW IL, Dut WHAT can 90
! asked Tor more boats bat they were not allowed
men Here was capital allowing only two boats for
17e persons, Second, that great loss IS sustained
one should be constantly prepared to meet
death. These, like the former propositions. were
illustrated by examples, all tending to show
the undue influence OF capital and the evil
&c was working in the world, when that influence
tended TO the qualification OF It's own selfish ends.
In regard to the preparation for death alludiDg
tue advice OF his old tutor, Take an umbrella when
IL Is fine, ana do as you choose on wet day,r lie
RI IN ral for fha cffff0 time
for eternity In life for death,u and then closed his
discourse with an appeal for the sailor that every
snip might be bethel, every vessel q mariners
temple, and every seaman a herald OF the cross and
when the arrival OF a steamer VIII be weieon,ed as