The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-06

maintained
Suggestions to tho Churches tho KA
pIesisa.
To-day in many of the churches of o1f
city no doubt reference will be made by the
pastors in their discourses to the disaster
which has covered the metropolis with mourn
ing, lamentatiOn and woe. There are GER
tain class of public croakers who always avail
themselves of such mishaps as this-and the
more lives lost or endangered the better for
their purpose and the more capital can they
make-to denounce the Almighty and to i'm
pute to Him those calamities. We warn aud
advise all such who may have their ''skele-
tons" prepared in this mould that the Staten
Island Ferry Company and its officials, and
not the Lord Almighty, are to blame for this
catastrophe. Last Sunday evening, as We
understand, Staten Island minister made
the sad event the subject Of a dis
course, in which this very common, but,
We are free to assert, blasphcmous theory, was
reiterated; and it was declared to be judg-
ment from God upon the Sabbath breakers, as
this reverend gentleman looked upon the hun
dreds of happy hearts who stood upon the
decks of the Inflated steamboat to be. We
might use the Saviour's language in reply to
all such crOakers :-'Think you that those
eighteen upon whom the tower of Sloan fell
were greater sinners than all the dwellers in
Jerusalem?" 1t is not necessary to go ON
excursions to break the Sabbath. And neither
is it necessary for the Almighty to vindicate
eternity, without moments warning nearly
hundred men, women and innocent children
from a boiler head, and permanently injuring
as many more. And we are perfectly salts
fed that man, and not God, is to blame for
this calamity. And if the pastors and
preachers will take our view of il, and will so
enlighten their congregations, they will do
good work.
But deeds speak louder than words, and
no better purpose could be served by the
offerings in the several churches to-day than
to devote them toward the relief Of the be-
reaved and suffering survivors and friends of
the dead and dying. We see that the Rev.,
Daniel Mitchell, of the Canal Street Prcsby-
terrain church (Greene street, near Canal), has
made such provision in connection with his
service. Let his example be initiated by
others, and let there be one common and
united effort made throughout the city to-day
in this interest. Tho theatres have already
taken this matter in hand, and it will be an
eternal disgrace if the churches of New York
shut up their bowels Of compassion on such an
occasion as this and permit the very class of
persons whom they look upon as diametri-
cally opposed to Christian morality to
teach them its first and greatest lesson
charity. We know the churches, are
slow to learn and slow to move, but
when case is plainly presented to- the
Christians of New York they will act promptly
and efectually. When we made our appeal
last Tuesday to the Christian ladies of the
city to- give few spare hours to the allevia-
ton of pain and suffering the response was az
hearty and complete as'we could wish; and
many OF those ministering angels have at great
lack Of ease and comfort to themselves stood
nobly'by the injured ones until the present
time. We have, therefore, strong evidence
before.us that the great religious constituency
of the HERALD will not allow our present adj
vice to pass UNDECIDED or the opportunity to-
go by unimproved.
BRt:to make our offerings the most useful,
and permanently useful, a general fund should
be created, and volunteer committees of ladies
chosen to distribute the same according to the
necessities of the poor and sosrowing ones.
The winter is before them, and many house
hold has been forever deprived of its only
support by this. calamity, and the
relief; that may be given should
extend beyond the present month. Fuel
and warm clothing will be required, the latter
Of which the various Doroas and sewing So
cieties; of our churches might prepare between
this time and October. And we dare say the
Christian ladies of New York will find in their
own houses many articles Of domestic use and
wear which are to them of, little value, but to
ahe poor may be- of inestimnble benefit II
homes and be the dispensers Of their own gifta
they would find in such acts a reward greater
than can be Imagined or described. They
would realize shst it is more blessed to give
than to receive. We are sure we need not
press this matter anyfurther, believing as wo
do chat this presentation OF it will be sufficient
to awaken a response in every heart of which
neither we nor'the city in which we live, shall
he ashamed. Let us al bear hand and do
II. eheerfulyas unto, the Lord.