The New York herald., 1871-02-13
Hnll-Beecher-Hepworth.

IN tnis Guy or vicinity are those whose names
head this article. They are representatives OF
three different schools Of thought, two Of
which are classed as orthodox and one as hete-
rodox, though in the public esteem different
classification might be made. They are men
whose pulpit power lies in totally different
directions, and yet almost instinctively tho
people 60 to hear their words from Sabbath 10
Sabbath. Their congregations yesterday were
larger, probably, than those Of any other min
listers In New York or Brooklyn, and they will
be found SO on any given Sabbath in the year.
Rev. DR.. Hall is an Irishman, about forty-six
years Of age, and gifted with that natural elo-
quence peculiar to his race and country. His
pastorate Of the Fifth avenue Presbyterian
church Of this city has been marked with great
spiritual prosperity. His eloquence Is not
Of that boisterous kind which makes an i'm
preston by noisy demonstrations and thump
ings on pulpit or Bible Nor does it consist
in saying witty things or pretty things in SER
mons or in lectures in the pulpit or on the
platform. But it is that eloquence which
springs from the most thorough belief in and
people who hear them, and which expresses
itself in Christian exactnsss and personal
directness. Whoever has listened to the Rev.
Dr. Cumming, Of London, will understand
more readily what sort Of eloquence this is
DR.. Halls manner and style of pulpit dis
courses, especially to his own people, partake
more Of the conversational and familiar than
perhaps any other minister in this city; and It
Is almost impossible to sit under his instruc-
tlons and not feel that he speaks directly and
personally to each individual. There is a
solemnity in his manner and address
which impresses one even at frs,
sight. His sermons are deeply soriptural,
and his prayers arc beautiful blending
of the divine utterances of the Saviour and of
his disciples, 20 that there may appear in both
as little Of DR.. Hall, but as much of Jesus
Christ, as possible. The Doctor is thorough
theologian, an eminent scholar, diligent stu
dent of the Bible and of such books as have
any relation thereto, and sound and logical
reasoner He seems to appreciate, perhaps
more fully than most men in bis calling, that
he is Christ's ambassador, and his sole aim
and object is to make full proof of his miuis-
try. Our readers will find in another column
synopsis of a sermon preached by DR.. Hall
yesterday, which is such plain and practical
exposition of an event with which the Jewish
and the Christian Church is SO familiar that
each will find no great difficulty In drawing
forth the lessons of Christian morality which
it contains.
The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher has ma
tional and almost universal reputation, based
originally perhaps as much upon that of his
father as upon any intrinsic merit of himself.
His sturdy republcanism led him early in
life to take decided ground against
slavery, and by illustration and imagery.
in which he is very prolific and happy, without
abusing Shareholders personally or as class,
he was able to make the venerable institution
appear ludicr0us In the eyes of the nation.
Anti-slavery men were not as numerous in
those days as they became subsequently,;
neither was the doctrine as savory as 1t is
now. Hence the boldness of Mr.. Beecher's
attacks on it attracted the attention Of the
press and, through it, of the people, and his
popularity was thenceforth secured. Mr..
Beecher is great student of men and things
much more so than of books-and his illus
trations of Scripture truths are very largely
drawn from facts in nature or in social or
political life with which his hearers cannot be
unfamiliar. His radicalism reaches down to
the inner depths of his soul, and by years Of
training has acquired degree of mastery
over him SO that he does not speak with the
ordinary caution that preachers exercise
when addressing promisouous audiences on
religious subjects. Unconsciously, per-
haps, therefore to himself he frequently
makes use Of phrases which may shock
the ears and offend the consciences of weak
brethren. Such, for example, as his recent
description Of st. Paul as "a blear-eyed Jew $"
his more ancient assertion that he had
'sknocked the bottom out Of hell, !" and others
Of q kindred stamp which appear in his SER
mon published in to-days HERALD. s'Many
man" said he yesterday, ''prays to the devil,
believing him to be on the throne of the
Almighty" Again, eff l thought that the
world was huge bag and the nations Wild
cats swinging around in It, fighting with
Internal noises, l should have no heart to
preach" And again, THAT consider that
heresy which strikes the Gospel of Christ fat
in the face" There is, perhaps, no other
Christian minister in this land with the culture
and genius Of Mr.. Beecher who would use
such forcible though quaint expressions to
illustrate the same ideas. Mr.. Beecher 10
nothing if he is not original. His theologt-
cal faith is as difficult to settle as the
color Of the chameleon's skin. One day
he is thoroughly orthodox, but the
next he is as thoroughly heterodox. He
il renutad To be a CnnGrerationaliaf