The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-12

The sermon delivered by DR.. Ormiston on
yesterday on the ''blessedness of those who
die In the Lord" was very interesting, even
though it contained no particularly new ideas, |,
We agree with the preacher that cit is not a.
healthy thing to be always longing for death ,"\
but we believe that there would be more
virtue and religion In our midst if people
devoted more thought to their inevitable end.
Americans do not think of death to any
extent they are too busy with worldly
affairs. If you remind them that the end
must come, they will tell you that when
they get old will be time enough to
contemplate the coming of the dread monarch;
and they never know when they are old. In
fact, if there is one subject which we. as q,
people, dislike thinking Of 1t is this. Prince
Kaunitz himself never felt more decid d.
aversion to 1t than we do. Not long ago, ven-'
turing to introduce 1t to an acquaintance, g.
gentleman not far from sixty years of age, he
stopped us with 'Let's change the subject IL
will do for old men," Now, no matter how
pious one may be, the contemplation of death
is exceedingly melancholy, and we are not In
favor of everybody keeping photograph Of
the Reaper In his pocket. Nevertheless it
would make us better men and women and
incline our hearts to preparation for the great
hereafter il we were now and then to put him
before us and think that sooner or later we
shall be numbered among his victims.
DR.. Hepworth's discourse was notable on &C
count of its comparing Christ with Socrates and
- Whok Hnn,, -
tsm in the philosophers was the simple, modest
assertion of fact by the Saviour. Yesterday
being the anniversary of the establishment Of
the American Free Church, Rev. Mr.. Smyth
reviewed the progress of the church during
the year, showing that it had gained ground.
and complimenting the press for the aid and
encouragement it had given him. In conclu-
sion he remarked that "a favorable gale has
set in which seems to promise prosperity"
We are very glad to learn that the church has
succeeded in raising the wind. Rev. Mr.
Silleck preached on the precious blood Of
Christ, and Rev. Stephen H. Tying, Jr., ex-'
planned to his congregation what 1t lacks.
Father O'Farrell delivered an interesting ser
mon on the devotion Of the primitive Chris
tians to the Eucharist, holding II up as an
example to Christians of the present day.
In Brooklyn DR.. Scudder preached on the
subject of peace, illustrating his argument
with several anecdotes proving that kind
words turneth away wrath. Rev. Mr. Pom
eroy was eloquent in denunciation of prevari-
cation and ''white lies" 1t is very proper to
denounce 'whte lies !" but we hope, for the
sake Of humanity, that all that are told daily
will never be exposed. Thackeray once asked
what would become of the world If it was
found out; and really, the question is difa-
cult one to answer. Mr.. Beechers discourse
touched lightly on everything, beginning with
pain as an instructor and ending with univer-
sal happiness. In sermon on the various
phases of apostacy Dr.. Newman at Washing
ton, expressed the opinion that hell must be q
particularly disagreeable place to backslider
who has tasted Of the water Of life At West
Point President Grant and few other celebri!
ties listened to a sensible sermon preached by
DR.. Sunderland. Altogether the religious
market was well supplied on yesterday, and
we hope that those who purchased thcreat were
numerous.