The New York herald., 1870-03-28
CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH.

Catholicism as Opposed to Protestantism-
sermon by Rev. George Fl. Hepworth.
Undaunted by the severely pelting rain and driv-
ing hurricane tempest OF last evening" large
| number, but with very few ladies among them,
assembled at the Church Of the Messiah. corner
OF Park avenue ana Thirty fourth street, to hear
Rev. DR.. George II. Hepworth, the popular pastor
OF this church and eloquent preacher, who for bril-
liant pulpit oratory, has, this city OF many churches
and many eloquent preachers, few peers. To hear
him upon the theme announced for his evening dis
course,
"CATHOLIcIsM AS OPPOSED TO PROTEsTANTIsM,n
doubtless attracted many who had the theme been
less attractive and the preacher less eloquent
would have spent the evening at the cosey Gresides
OF their elegant abodes. After the usual preface OF
singing, including some fine gems Of sacred music
by the most excellent choir, and prayer and reading
the Scriptures, the reverend speaker began his
discourse. lie announced as his text st. Mark w..
28-First the blade then the ear after tnat the full
corn In the ear" The text indicated the order OF
development in nature and human lsocety. AS
their necessities increased their social usages and
customs and the creeds OF their churcnes must
change to meet the emergencies. TO stand still is
to grow weak. The house in which they lived some
times had to be torn down that they might lay the
new edi1ce with broader limits 1t was because he
believed in human progress that he had entered
upon his present series OF discourses II had been
asked dozen times since last Sunday why he per-
sisted in stirring this subject up. He was also daily
In receipt OF anonymous letters, some giving advice
which he accepted; some giving him facts, which
he approprlated; some issuing threats for which
HE CARED NOT A JoT OR A TITLE.
He did not begin this argument II his house was
on fire the advice of people to let it alone would
be needed. In that house his wife and children
md bo unula Na haI "A
save them. SO he would be recreant If he did not
lift up his voice In this There was no standing
IN the middle ground between Catholicism and Pro-
testantsm Catholicism did not dare open it's lips
to critcise s own institutions Only one priest had
attempted It, and he feared he would not be able TO
hold his own. One man OF bodness had dared to
say that there was bigotry in the Catholic Church.
He asked these men II they believed in the Syllabus
Pope Plus * reiterates what Pope Gregory XVI.
said shat Catholicism would dig the grave or Protes-
tantsm. 1t was time Americans were around. The
American people were pr0crastinating They could
have extinguished the Mormons twenty i've years
ago by single decisive action. 1t would cost per-
haps millions now and much sorrow and regret.
Thrty-hye years ago they could have suppressed
| slavery. II the Americans had not been absorbed
| In money making they might have had
| war ana no millions OF graves. They simply
! procrastinated. they put 1t Off from day to day
till the sound OF battle was heard and blood was
split and precious lives sacrificed 1t was time TO
sop this procrastlnation Better stir up this sub
| tect Of Catholicism now, when 1t can be done win
effect Better the whole American people should
| settle It now. They would save millions now and
many lives in the future and institutions In all
coming time. He salc to-night-an he had history
| behind him-that Catholicism Is not In accordance
with the spirit OF the nineteenth century. IL was
| A CHURCH OF THE PAST.
He felt thankful for what II had DONE The Church
| OF three hundred years ago stood stnl. IL lacked
the atmosphere OF the nineteenth century Churches
| must change with the times. Churches that refuse
1 TO DO this must go down; the religious system OF
the first century was good for the nrst century, but
| when there came new thoughts and new conditions
| IL should have changed Professionalism had com
| mitted innumerable blunders-blunders for which
| they were heartily ashamed. They found IL hard
for instance, to forgive is bgotry and intolerance,
ITS WHIPPiNGS AT THE POST AND BURNINGS AT THE
| STAKE.
The system OF Calvin did not answer for to-day
They did not accept the tbrynipe articles their