The New York herald., 1870-05-16
NEW ENGLAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

The CongregntionaIists OF Fifth Avcnue-Scr-
vices and Sermon In Rutgers Chapel.
II the Congregational is not really, properly
speaking, the established church OF New England.
1t be truly said at any rate that other church
form OF worship has been any longer or any better
established there; and with so many Congregation
alists In the New England States and 30 many people
from those States permanently located in New York.
1t Is rather remarkable that there should be In this
city but two Congregational churches. That there
are sufficient number residing In the city who hold
that religious belief to I'LL half dozen churches
seems to be beyond doubt, and II the majority Of
them do not go to Brooklyn to attend Plymouth and
other Congregational churches there, they must
either attend the churches OF other denominations,
or else fail to go to church at all.
The people of the New England Congregational
church, who hold their services in Rutgers chapel,
on Fifth avenue, Forty-second street, for the
present and until it is decided whether to buy or
build new and larger church edidce, acknowledge
ing the above FACTS are evidently impressed with
the Importance OF
IMMEDIATE ACTION
in behalf of their church and faith in this city, With
the idea that an able eloquent and soul-stirr1ng
preacher, with some originality In thought and ex
pression is most needful just now to arouse the apa
thelic ana encourage the weary to renewed exertlo
they have extended call to the Rev. Merrill Rich
ardson, the present pastor OF the Salem street Con-
-
bear all moving expenses and pay him
SALARY OF SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS,
but not limiting themselves to that amount. Rev.
Mr.. Richardson is well and ravOrably known through
out New England as public lecturer, and on ac-
couut of his eloqucnce and originality. He will
preach to the congregation next Sunday.
The services were conducted yesterday by Rev. j.
M. Sturtevant, Jr.. the pastor in charge, who at
morning service delivered sermon on ''fhe obedi-
ence and suffering of Christ" Taking as his text
The Epistle to the Hebrews ", 8-"Though he were
Son. yet learned he obedience by the things which
he suffered" the preacher remarked that these
words SAID OF Christ. who ''was with God and
was Cod" The text referred to obedience on the
part OF one who occupied position or authority,
who had not been subject to the law as creature.
Yet He became subject TO the law, not only as 1t ap
plies TO man, but to iaen man. and lie
LEARNED OBEDIENCE BY WHAT HE SUFFERED.
He not only took upon himself the form OF man,
but he took on himself The form Of servant.
lie humbled himself. He did so not from com
Becoming man he became subject to the law as ap-
piled to man-the civil, religious, moral and social
laws. And above all He Obedient by His suffer-
ing even unto DEATH His suffering was for no sin
OF His Own but because OF the sin OF man, and be-
cause Christ saw this suffering in the will Of the
Father. He turned aside neither to the right nor
left, even when
CROSS LAY IN HIS PATH.
The reverend gentleman, in conclusion, exhorted
his hearers to learn from Christs suffering and Obe
dience how to obey and suffer.
AT the close Of the sermon after a short prayer,
the choir sang the hymn commencing
All hail the power of jesus name
Let angels prosrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem
And crown Him King of All;
which concluded the congregation were dismissed
with benedctiOu.