Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-05-06
CLERICAL CELEBRITIES.
Shining Lights of the New YOrh
PulDff.

SHINING LtBnIs Oh tnc New 10TH
Pulpit.
New York correspondence Cincinnati Times.l
Among the Presbyterians proper, DIR.
Hall is the great light. He was called
from Dublin to the church at the corner
of Fifth avenue and Nineteenth street
three years ago, to receive a large sal
ary His Bible classes draw persons
from all denominations, who delight to
listen to his instruction. On Sunday
the church is so crowded that strangers
with difficulty obtain seats AT the Col
legiate Church, higher up, Dr. Ormiston,
from Canada, for time this winter oc-
cupied the pulpit. He was new star
of special brilliancy, and became very
popular. But his ministerial labors were
not light, so his health failed, and he
was obliged to 90 South for recuperation.
In the Episcopal Church, DR.. Potter is
very much liked. He is a son of the
former Bishop of Pennsylvania, and has
charge of Grace Church. If he were
more centrally located he would excite
livelier interest, for Grace Church is
already considered down town, and,
though aristocratic and fashionable, its
pulse does not quicken with the same vi
tality, induced by newer and more
miscellaneous elements. Its aspect
is UNMARRIED; the same crowd, the iden
teal character of style and wealth mark
ing it twenty-five years ago, stamp it
still.
DR.. Bellows, of the Unitarian Church,
on Fourth avenue, the building known
to strangers as the red and white church,
but among irreverent sinners as the
Church of the Holy Zebra, is man of
polish and rare culture, but his views
are so broad that his talks and sermons
startle those governed by more orthodox
creeds. DR.. rockingham, also of this
sect, is one of the most intellectual men
of New York, but cold and polished as
marble. His subjects are often well
chosen and interesting, and his sentences
sufficiently well rounded to please even
tie most hypercritical of the Boston ed
itors, but he lacks entirely the magnet
ism which proves the immortal gift. DR..
Chaplin Of the Universalist Church, near
Forty-third street, on Fifth avenue, is
distinguished by style of oratory which
often rises to real grandeur Short,
thick-set, even ragged in appearance,
he does not possess the faintest charm
of appearance or physique, and on his
first appearance the listener marvels at
the reputation he has won. But when
the fire of passion rouses his stalwart
nature, when some great subject
warns his stagnant blood he thrills
the most careless of his audience, re
calling the magnificent bursts of St
Paul, when he forced even the heather
king to repentance Differing from all
these is DIR. Osgood, the recent convert
from Unitarianism to the Episcopal
Church. The first notes of his flexible,
persuasive voice arrest straying thoughts
and attention is yielded without effort or
endeavor. Earnest in style, and with
peculiar charm of utterance, his SER
mons are freighted with love and ten
derness, always causing regret at the
"amen.
In the Catholic Church Father Pres
ton is very prominent, and his doctrinal
sermons, delivered during Lent and Ad
vent, attract many Protestants. But
the most effective preacher, perhaps, of
the church is Father Hecker, of the
Paulists, and when he speaks not one
of his large congregation remain mat
tentiye.