The New York herald., 1870-04-18
ST. JOHNS EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
A Splendid Service and an Admirable Dis.


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Splendid service and un Admirable Dis
course.
This venerable edifce was filed to overnowinz
yesterday morning IN anticipation of the unusually
interesting service prepared to commemorate the
first resurrection. Easter has ever been regarded as
feast demanding the proIoundest homage by the
congregation OF st. Johns church aud, In view OF
the extraordinary attractions provided Tor ceebrat-
ing this greatest OF ali days in the Christian caen.
dar the regular attend0nce was increased by large
acccssi0ns from abroad. Long before the COM
mencemcnt OF divine service scarcely u seat
could be obtained IN any parL OF the build
Ing. Standing room Ia the nave was sought
for with eagerness. ana the galleries devoted TO
strangers awaited Of to their utmost capacity.
Punctually at halfpast ten the organ pealed
forth Its opening voluntary; and Immediately after
the full choir chanting grand processional moved
solemnly into the cnancel. The scene ag this
moment was truly sublime. The air was tremulOus
with strains Of thanksgiving, profound expression
OF religious awe was observable upon the counte-
nances or all present; and, a. the minister reclted
the confession, no accessory was wanting for an i'm,
presSlve observance OG Easter sunday.
FLORAL OFFERINGS
decorated me sanctuary cross, formed OF
was erected above the communion table. Tne bap-
tlsmal font wreathed with the choicest exotlcs
ana ieiT.
Tne morning service concluded, Rev. s. H. weston
ascended the pulpit aud preached
AN ADMlRABLE SERMON.
He took his text from !. Corinthians xv., IA
'It Is sOwn IN weakness, It IL raised power'' lie
dwet upon the weakness OF mans physical nature
Christ during The greater part OF his llie suffered
the indrmities common TO all men Thirty years OF
IL were spent In the toll rendered necessary Dy HIS
lowiy origin. want ana penury did their work in
preventing that development OF the faculties
which, by the power OF the Holy Ghost, illustrated
tne closing scene OF HIS passion. All men thus
situated suffered in the same manner from the
Influence OF adverse circumstances. twere hard to
tell how many ''vlage Hamrdens" went To the
grave whO would have been Iptellcctuai Litans IL
their talents not oeen ciouded cy the surround
ings OF obscure birth. There was so nucn TO labor
for. TO procure The means Of living, that bread,
culture, was the irsG and paramount consideration;
that intellectual distinction was impossible 10
those so situated. There was litIe time lcfs Tor re-
neglected. Millions OF men who toed tor
bread were no better than the beasts that perished
Their
LAWFUL ASPIRATIONS
were strangled Ia infancy, having opportunity
to reacn the great goal. Gods truths we're 10 De
learUed by slow degrees. and the future life
knowledge should nos ne consoereJ attainaDe ex-
ceps by SLOW degrees. The mind was the slayeof the
body; but after intrmiues or this le were lost
In glorious resurrection The mnd would grasp the
mysteries OF TRUTH Tor tnere would no longer be any
material wants to be satisfied. The Jamo himself
would iced his people. There was bondage All
through life caused by tho fear OF death Men tried
TO combat the great enemy, but at last deata would
be the conqueror.
INTELLECTUAL rowER
was never called fully utO play In this liie and 10
needed the inspiration OF HIS divine mission To
enable the Master to superior 10 the toll conse-
quent upon his numble Dirti. Sir sboud De over
come tUat the moral faculties may have play. be-
soteu with indulgence; the intellect would become
impaired, for sancti1ed life was the true school
where knowledge could DC cultivated. There were
numerous pagans distinguished in art, science ana
Kindred endowments, but wac could tell
how much greater socrates, Plato or Coa'as,ns