The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-04
ATTORNEY STREET N. T.. CHURCH.
National and Religious Independence-SermOn
by the Rev. Il. p. swift.

National Rnd Religious OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES mon
by the Rev. II. p. swirl.
The services at this church Yesterday were very
interesting, anu the PASTOR the Rev. r. p. swift,
preached an eloquent sermon on National and Re-
gious Independence Mr. Swift took for his text
|. Corinthians ". ga little leayen leaveneth the
whole lump He said how grateful we ought to be
on such morning in looking around us and viewing
nation as irec and as glorious as was. The
true SOIL for republic was our own continent.
THE OLD WORLD
was beginning to feel the influence that such gov
crnment where there was freedom OF religion, free
dom to the individual, national freedom, had and
would ever exert on all nations. Here our Puritan
ancestors found world where they might verify
the value Of those theories which had been derdcd
as visionary or denounced as dangerous In their own
land. All around was free--free as Nature herself;
the mighty streams rolling on In their majesty, as
They mad continued TO roll from the creation; the
forests. which hand had violated. inourishIng in
primeval grandeur and beauty, their only tenants
the wild animals or the Indians, nearly az wild
scarcely held together by any tie OF social
probity. He likcned the sun-the grand centre OF
the universe. the centre OF light and energy, sending
Its warm rays 10 the uttermost ends OF the earth,
where their influence Is AS much felt as IL Ii here.
penetrating. reaching all things-to the Gospel OF
Jesus Christ which to understand rs the
great principle, the grand source from whence come
all the treasures OF societyhc leaven OF earth
tue heaven OF Hunlau society. Whatever may
have been our thoughts. our ideas; however
much we may be depressed 1t exalts, II
raises IA above the contemplation OF the
mere petty TRIES OF this earth and imbues US.
with happier and nobler feelings. What a beauty
there IS In this principle How man seeks 10 exalt
himself He mas vain ambition 10 coDquer--tO
still triumph But when that nature is changed,
when
THE GOSPEL or JESUS CHRIST
touches it, now different Oh. the independence
OF religion the independence OF Jesus Christ How
sweet an independence F.! No man Is so independent
40 In hn hafn IN fn. N,..,
whole world Is leavened by the Gospel OF Jesus
Christ There ~ nothing so sure OF success a.
prov idence selected this BEAUTIFUL continent IA the
place where religious freedom should have Its h0me.
May we not celebrate an event ike the anniversary
Of Onr independence ut this time with grateful Joy
The churches dotted here and there in this city, from
one end Of the island TO the other, these are the
stimulants TO religious and national independence
We are proud OF churches. our Institutions yet
we must trace this independence 10 the seed which
was sown by our forelathers when they first landed
here. What thought more glorious TO us az Ameri-
can citizens than 10 know that God has called US
W he
VOICE IN SOCIETY?
our nation, our church IS made up OF individuals;
each has voice which he makes heard. What a
gloiiou, feeling 70 mink that to morrow we are cele
bratiug our independence This principle OF the
Gospel OF Jesus Christ is not 10 stop here It il u
leaycn the whole lump.
Mr.. Swifts discourse was listened 70 with great
attention and Interest by his audience. HIS sermon
was entirely extemp0rancous, and was delivered
win more accuracy. more delcacy OF expression
IMAM such OratOricaI performances give evidence or
generally.
Sir. Swift Is young and has been pastor OF his
present church but short tlme but If efficiency
produce the desired effect he will certainly OBTAIN
more lucrative post tnan that which he now occupies
A NOTICEABLE FEATURE
was The earnestness OF the worshIppers, who seemed
10 be mbued with the very spirit OF religious fervor,
the prayers OF their pastor being frequently ntey
rupled by the ejaculation, ever ION LorJnf
my Cod whenever passage was more4 TT
usually striking. Thus, The pastor woui"
Pour out Thy spirit upon us;'' u response
come from an old man in the audience Ever
another time II would be, 20 my God.n The
ton OF tins church, IN quarter out OF the
the busy and more modern part or the city,
indced there are but few church going pc0pJ
simplicity OF the interior and OF the manner Z,
snip. tend 10 excite Keeling In the strange
10 that experienced by the most dev0ut Catho
fore the shrine OF some patron saint But IN
ing IL more true, more real than that felt eve
lofty cathedral, aft
rEEMiNG WITH ARTISTIC BRAUrY
canght rom me many stiinulants 10 the admi
which the HARMONIOUS blending OF rich tints,
dotal paraphernalia. pictnres, lights images
above all, the 1nesod0us chauis OF children
and the religious half light pervading the mt
All these tend TO produce the seisuous delgnt
inc o0eNdWe experiences, ana not ne feenDg