The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-07
FIFTH UNIVERSALlST CuURCg.


The WestHeId Disaster--sermon by rev.
Charles r. lee.
An unusually large congregation was present at
Chckering Hall yesterday, owing to the fact that
the late catastrophe formed the theme OF the pas
tors discourse. The collection taken up is to be de-
voted 10 the relief OF the poorer sufferers by the ex
poslon. IL was noticeable that In the opening
prayer the pastor prayed Tor the President and State
officials but did not say word in behall of
city funct0nares. He took his text from jeremiah
XXXL-"A voice was heard in Rama Oh lanenta-
uon. OF mourning and or weeping Rachel bewailIng
her children, and refusing to be comlorted because
they are not"
Many centuries have passed away since these
words Tell from the prophets lips and yet how APP
picabe they to the melancholy events Of today!
1t seems rs If we hear the solemn OF the pro-
phet sounding down through the ages and
prociaiming the afiictons Of the bereaved
mother. IL Is but meet at time when
Death has reaped such fearful harvests in our
midst when SO many hearts are sad, to "a.
dress to the public words OF consolation. One short
week since on as bright and as beautiful Sabbath
as ever the country Deheld, some hundreds Of per-
sons had cOngregal ed on one OF our pleasure boats
to breath the fresh and balmy air and 10 view the
matchess beauties of our noble harbor. Tine rich
man ana the poor man were there; all ages, from
the babe to uim grown gray with ycars-mae and
1emae-one and all unconscious OF
THE HORRIBLE FATE
that was to beiall them so soon. Care sat on the
cheeks OF some, while the counlenances OF others
most suficient to banish sorrow from their bur.
dened hearts. The calm, blue sky, the fragrant
breeze that tanned Their screening brows the tiny,
dazzling ripping merrily before their eyes;
on their right the Jersey shore on their left the gay
romantic hills oil Staren Island, crowned with
foliage. Who would have thought that tnese de-
lights should In a few moments he exchanged for
ineXpressiDle rum aud horror Yet sucn the
effect Of natures laws--a
SUDDEN AND MUFFLED ROAR
was heard, as II demon had broken his chains, ana
the mass OF humanity was hurried nigh into The
and as quickly dashed into the waters beneath. The
scene mat followed II would be useless TO attempt
to describe; suice 10 say that the pale and
silent stars ushered in n night OF Woe One by one
the souls OF loved ones were relieved from their
bitter ayOnles. Mothers were looking Tor babes and
husbands for wives; lamentations were heard; the
city was stricken 1t had not been stricken for a
long time WHAT SHOULD be our considerations after
witnessing IT. In the first place see
NO VISITATION or GOD
in II. We do not claim that vengeance either for
their own Sins or Tor the sins or others the Almighty
was pleased thus to punish those poor victims. I
hand OF God visible in 1t. They were
breaking the Lords day. These words are
poor people in such "a mannerr IL such were to be
the doctrine j would rather believe in no Cod. /
believe that Coo parishes his people, but only IN the
sense of correction, not of revenge. He acts ac
cording TO the general laws OF nature and In these
disaster How could those victms thus be punisnea S
when there are tens oil thousands of people in our
city more wicked than theyY "But they were break.
ing the Sabbath Indeed All the week. tney
had worked in dirty shops smoky rooms. They
were sick of impure air, their puny children were
dying slow death IL far better they
SHOULD GO OUT.
believe In Keeping the Lords day by doing that
which can benefit Doth body and SOUL wish and
pray that we ali may be observers OF the Sabbath.
But, II worn out by cares and lab0rs, respect the
day, and you can promote your bodily welfare at
the same Time The more we investigate It, the
more plasphemous does the charge against them ap-
human careiessness. Ii there was bad piece OF
metal on The boiler fearful responsibility rests
some ones head, ana ne should pray 10 COD that ne
may Know and understand MIS- duty. Another sug-
gest!on AFFORDED by this disaster is the insecurity OF
llie There are
THOUSAND ROADS TO DEATH.
1t may visit US at any time and in any form, but
whatever shape 10 may come by turning TO Christ.
He has said:"Blessed are they that mourn for they
shall be comforted.n And so il Is now with those
who persisted by the Westned horrOr-they are com.
fOrted IN the palace OF heaven. 81 am the resurrec-
ton and the life,n he moreover says; and these
words VIII remain new and sublime forever.
believe That an age shall come when man VIII be-
come complete master oil those material forces
which often bring ruin In their train. TINS seems
the more probable when we contemplate what grand
strides he has made IN progress In short time lie
has chained the lightning and confined the steam TO
q vast extent. The tragedy OF one hour can thus
double the security OF the next All hail to that
glorious age when the terrOrs OF the present shall
have passed and q voice rom heaven VIII proclaim
that the day OF the millennium mas come. The
speaker concluded by contrasting the miserles Of
earth with the joys " Paradise, explaining over
the latter in a fervent manner.