The New York herald., 1870-02-28
Lyle HALL SERVICES.

A Large Attendance in Unpleasant weather.
"Reii4ion: What Is II, aud What Is Ii
For t''-Scrmon by Rev. MIR. FroshiDgham.
The threatening aspect OF the heavens yesterday
forenoon moderated somewhat the devotional ardor
OF those VINO are accustomed TO associate good
weather with good works. Its influence however,
mad effect upon the truly pous who love religion
for It's own sake and would NOT shrink from
greater sacrifice than that OF soied attire or bodily
discomfort to testify their fidelity in its service.
Punctuay at haf-past ten O'Clock tue Rev. o. b.
Frothnghams congregation assembled y. their
place or worship, Lyric Hall, Sixth avenue and In
such goodly numbers that soon after the commence
anent OF the services than standing
room could be Obtained IN any part or the
hal. The opening exercises being concluded the
preacher commenced his sermon. the subject
OF which was, al previously announced. Religion:
what is IL and what Is 1t forgn He did not 10
ask why one man Romanist another Pres
byteran or Protestant. In this age devoted 80 In
pensely to business, science and the arts,
beginning TO ask, Why have we religion at all, Why
speculate about future life. with such papable
existence all around usi Why SO outside OF this
worlds natural limitations? Why all this
talk about trinity and unity and election
ana predestlnationf Behodng the tathollc
the Episeopalian and other forms OF worship
which were all htany, genunexion ana cere
mony, was 1t strange that matter-ota men would
say III this is religion let US have regions In
Rome every day had ils saint and some days iuany
saints. He would declare better have no
Sabbath than q sabbath every day" The ques
ton was, 'WhaJ Is real reiIgionP The word
mad three definitions. The first was derived from
Latln word, which signiled to read oyer''to read
over and over again the same prayers ana htanles
In unending sameRess. THIS was the Catholic def
mean ns aso was a. q r erx
between God and man. And here another cause OF
distrust in ali ceremonial religion was begottcn In
reflective minus. Ceremonial religion was hypocrisy
and people would say let US have no religion ~ all
II this Is to be ours Almost every form OF worship
was superstition. Every religious man Was credu-
lous. The preacher again glanced ut the present
condition OF Rome, To which ali eyes were now n-
tensiy .uriiea. ne .oia VI It's awSand its wlrolo
yet the common people were poor beggars sWarmed
and superstition hardly expressed the darkness OF
their minds. This trying To send people to
heaven II were better 10 try to make men little
happier. he gave another illustration or ceremonial
religion. during the cattle plague England day
was appointed for general prayer In churches 10
the end that the calamity might be stayed It were
better 70 attempt some practical preventive than
weary Heaven with their supplicaiions, anu whon
the latter were found ineffcctua ~ were time to do
away with the Established church. Why should de-
n0mnarionai work stand In the way oi human workq
They ali had seen picture In tue shop windows rep.
resentng impossible rock In the midst OF raging
sea. Upon this rock was erected an impossible cross
and ciingng thereto was Q woman In an Impossible
attitude. Tue woman appeared well 10 do. though
Sa' ~a % e cssna % o
ones sins and sorrows the Cross to portray faith
IN ceremonial religion and religious trust In Christ.
IL were better to strive for moral Improvement, learn
more OF nature and fellow men, and unravel the
mysteries OF life. The third definition Of religion
had also Latin root; 1t meant ito loosen, and this
was bis religion. IL elevated the mlnd expanded
the intellect and freed from the bondage OF the
passions. Young men and women were under this
bondage. In YOUTH when all things looked Bright,
the blood leaped hotly 10 the viens. People
could not escape from this charming bondage,
its CHAINS were OF gold. Virtue threw open
her gates In vain; young mon and women
would at, cast themselves away u an