The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-14


Yesterday was quiet, but, we trust. never
theless profitable day, in the churches. There
were but one or two discourses that immedi-
ately touched on the topics of the day; the
rest were good, practical sermons, setting forth
fairly and fully the Gospel scheme Of saliva
ton and the various aspects of the Christian
virtues.
The Rev. Charles Smyth preached an ad-
mirable address upon the religious bearings Of
various recent events. He was justly severe
upon the selfishness Of millionnaires and said
that he did not know which was the worst
scourge God could send us-corrupt and greedy
and heartless corporations or cholera and
famine. Which was the more terrible
DEATH to be hurled into eternity
dlshgured and h;deous victim of
the Westaeld or to linger through the sharp
pangs Of an epidemic Was 1t more horrible
to be sacrificed to the cupidity of great cap
italist or to be burned and eaten by savage
tribe Of cannibals? 1t is worth while TO re-
hect now and then, as we mouth about the
glorious privilege of living in the nineteenth
which our modern civilization has brought
forth-creatures who gamble the cost of
replacing an ancient boiler against hecatomb
Of human lives. and infamous wretches who
clothe themselves in purple and fine linen and
fare sumptuously every day from gains made
prostitution.
And put in every honest hand whip
TO lash the rascal naked through the world.
upon the sin of detraction. This Is compare
lively new subject, and yet the vice itself is
one whose mischief we have all experienced
Evil tongues and willing ears are indeed the
most fruitful source of misery in this little
planet Of ours. The reverend Father quoted
to good purpose Shakspeare's lines
Who steals my purse steals trash;
But he that flches from me my good name
Rops me OF that which not enriches him,
AND makes me poor indeed.
The Father, in scathing words, described most
of the phases of this vile habit of talking scan
dar and saying smart things against our neigh
bors for the sole purpose Of setting up repu-
tation as a pleasant and witty man. And,
as the good Father SAID a, ::he, worst
feature Of the evil is that the sianderer Is
withheld by natural instincts Of pride from
confesslng his sin. What man, even when he
sees that his careless words have wrought
untold wrong, will come squarely out and say,
81 have been liar and scoundrel; what I
have uttered against my neighbours reputation
was false?"
With great deal of sound and wholesome
truth the Rev. John Miles, we are afraid
gave rather pernicious encouragement to
the luxury which some people delight to In
dulge in of ''plain speaking" II am plain,
blunt man, says a boor, land say just what
I think" And he does say 1t and earns
the unenviable reputation of being the
''Faithtulness' in friend does not require
that he should spy out his brothers pecca-
dilloes and sermonize over them with COM
placent pleasure. Aud we fear that thers is
little danger Of men failing to keep their
friends down to proper standard of humility
by exposing their foibles. A warning, If at
all, should be given In the other direction.
We cannot commend too highly DR.. Dur
yeas noble summer appeal for the sick and
the helpless. A couple of weeks ago we
made few remarks which contain
substantially the gist of the Doctors
sermon. In winter the poor and
the dying are pretty well cared for;
but in the heats of midsummer, when
the city is deserted, there is even greater need
of well-directed charity. The hand of death
touches many an unhappy victim, the panys
of starvation kill hope and kindness in many
a sorrow-laden heart in July as In December
We hope the Doctor reused yesterday some
few noble souls to a consciousness of the vast
field Of duty that lays around them.
Bishop Southmayd, on ''The Personal Rela-
tons of Christ" and DR.. Curry, on adams
Sin and Cbrist's Obedience" are two admira-
BILE specimens of doctrinal theology. While
they contain much that is profitable and whole
some, however, they are marked by but few
original ideas, and we therefore content our
selves by simply recommending them to the
perusal of our readers.
The Meeting of the Two EmDerOrs.