New-York tribune., 1870-10-07
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
ST. THOMASS CHURCH.
OPENING SERVICE.

The new Church of st. Thomas, corner of
Fithaye and Fifty-third-st, opened with sppro-
pirate services yesterday mt II Long before the
hour ceaseess throng Of ladies and gentlemen had
passed through the massive doors and filed the pews
the asles and tho galleries OF the stately edce. Ex
pressons OF admiration could be heard ON every side The
beauty and unaueness Of the architects design being tho
theme of universal remark At II o'clock precisely the
clergy Of whom 100 were surpces formed in process
son and marched from coster situated on the north
vest-corner OF the church, to tho fhth-ave
door Bishops Potter Lttlejohn, and Talbot preceding
ON be entrance OF the procession tho Immense congo
cation arose and remained standing while the long line
nassed ND the ases and TO their appointed stations some
Gathering around the altar others seating themselves
I'm the chancel chairs and large body filling the rows OF
pews which Immediately fronted the reading desk and
nulpit The march OF the procession accompanied
by The singing OF the 243d Hymn by the choir OF the
iyn ali under the leadership OF Mr. George William War.
ren, organist OF the parish Inc tLlunpnal sfaS & y,
this hymn, mingllng with the rich harmonies OF the
The services opened by the reading OF the Morn
ing Prayer by Dr. Francis vinton. The Yenite was then
chanted by the choir, and the First Lesson Haggai "a
to 10th verses, read by Dr. H. G. Potter The Ie Deu,n
we're then sung aud the Second Lesson Revelations, on
ith, read by DR.. H. C. Montgomery; ,hm ano
adelphIa, and the Introii. to the tune OF Old Hun
dred, sung, the choir and congregation forming q
lofty arches OF the church. seemed worthy offering up
OF praise TO the Most High Prayer was offered by
R Ger e OF e gave the
words OF the ritual admirable interpretation inc
Collect read by Bishop Potter the Epse by Bishop
Liulejoln, and the Gospel for ST. Thomass Day py
Bishop Talbot OF Indiana
The rector, the Rev. Wm f. Morgan, then delivered
congratulatory address, He commenced by saying that
he had hoped that Bishop Potter would have occupied
the pulpit this OCCASION but that he the speaker had
been specially requested by the Bishop TO perform the
duty They did not come together today TO
templates only finished Church. whereas much yet re-
maed to be done TO the edifice in the way of minute
that the seryice OF conservation should be
held in reserve for God did not limit his acceptance OK
clos to such as heayenyn the grandest minister or
in the humblest room OF waysde nm ohrlstiay, IN m
holy places The baptsry Of Christ was the River J0r-
,laI and the sky his canopy. Nevertheless the once
6,eS OF SO'esrn'iOp Draw" was he sad What God may
guard this Church from evil influences in the
changers, with scourges from the Temple OF Israel
After lapse Of ye Years. during n which saTS wS m haaG
chal home. Here shall assemble to worship Cod
The %syt from fro the & W6 2 a old ID rc sS eSw wh Ss
greatest regret and in soOw, but We discovered none
too soon TO escape disntegrati0n."
The reverend speaker then paid interesting tribute
to his predecessors in the parish Cornelius Guthrie DT
Francs Hawks died, and it was soon evident that the
church falling back. The upward drt OF the city
from being surrounded by dens Of nfamy The present
rector fought years the nay that lay around
the church. situated t at the corner OF houston
St and Broadway But at last they had to give up the
5r ggle and sell their property. And now the parish
found refuge for year with their feuOwwOrkers OF
Grace Church The year passed In its walls was year
OF peace In April, 1861 the congregation built small
chapel on the site OF their present church, tne
roof OF that forming the nave OF the church
In the time he foundation OF the new chnrh haa
been built up around them, and oct ~ 1863 with sol
enn services the foundatiOnstOne was ld ana on the
Easter following the walls had so high as TO over
shadow them and they compelled to remove To the
chapel OF the Church Of the Resurrection They occupied
that for IS months and last Sunday with great emotion
held the last service there 1t their wish to erect
majestic structure which should exist for many years
shining light Gods glory. That wsh lie believed had
been gratlhed. Their voyage was over ana although IL
has been stormy at times they have reached maven at
last This said he is conservative church We nave
always chosen guihed path novelties have FOUND no
favor this church, either in the pulpit or among tne
pews We have allowed those txuggeraOhs or our
ritual which, while staying by its letters annimite its
spirit We intend to 20 without catering to P0psh
customs and limitations, seeking Chrstion truth ia lts
smnlcity oh Father lead US into the paths OF uuth
and Christian life, that We all shall neet thee IN thy
heavenly home
At tho conclusion OF DR.. Morgans sermon the sacra-
ment OF the Holy Communion was administered by
Bishops Potter Ltejohn, Talbot and the Row. DIS DIX
Price, and Lear.
Services will held in this church on Sunday next at
1880 in the morning and at in the afternoon.