The New York herald., 1871-03-20
Ridgaway-RichRrtl age.

Observation-Disclosures Armitaxe.
Iu naming these three ministers OF differing
denominations in this city we do not seek
TO contrast one with another, because each in
his place is the equal OF the other, but rather
to direct our readers where they can find men
of thought, intellect, culture and eloquence.
Nor do we seek to give the impression that
there are none among us so great, so culti-
waited or so eloquent as they. 1t is our pur-
pose from time to time to bring the best men
as we'll as their best thoughts to the front, so
that our readers who have not the power of
ubiquty may read, mark, learn and inwardly
digest for themselves the sacred truths, which,
like the shewbread In the Jewish temple, we
change and present fresh aud new to their
minds every Sabbath
The Rev. II. E. Ridgaway, b. d.,
is the pastor of st. Paus Method
ist Episcopal church, but, under the
Methodist itinerant system, his pastorate
viii end there in q few weeks more. DIR.
Ridgaway is young man, in the prime Of
life, of delicate frame, but an earnest worker,
and man of deep thought and clear and
forcbe expression. He is a graduate Of
Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa, and no
doubt under the instruction of the late DR..
McClintock, his preceptor in that institution,
and whose successor in the pastorate he now
is, he acquired from that godly maa some of
the fire and earnestness, and piety and zeal
which he possesses and for which Dr. Nc
Clintock was so remarkable. Dr.. Ridgaway
has filled some of the best appointments
among the Methodists in this city. His style
in the pulpit is plain and practical rather
than imaginative and rhetorical His dis
courses aim at the hearts rather than the
heads of his audiences. He is not very
strong believer in impulsive action, and he
seeks, whether it be in inviting the irreligious
to become pious, or the pious to become lib
eral, to have each one act intelligently and
conscentiously. This may not be so effective
with some audiences as excitement and i'm
pulse but who can doubt that Ii is the true
course to pursue.
Rev. Merrill Richardson, pastor of the New
England Congregational church, is man of
robust frame, deep thought aud extensive
reading. He is, in the pulpit, more Of a lec-
turer than sermonizer. He is always clear
and concise in his statements, without vague
ness and verbosily. His sermons are easily
remembered, because his words are uttered
with distinctness and deliberation. There is
a certain ''skeleton" lying underneath all his
discourses which every man can take away in
his heart and mind, and which, by thought
and meditation, each may clothe with flesh and
form. He would not have one of his audi
ences believe any truth upon his own mere
say SO, but presents the strongest reasons.
grouped together, which his extensive study
enables him to do, why what be declares
should be received and accepted by every III
telligent mind. In his discourse yesterday
morning he applies the test of time--the best
and surest test which can be applied to any
institution Of faith or mOrals-to Christianity.
and demonstrates theretrom the stability and
permanence Of the same. Truth is like its
Author, eternal, and can never die; and
though some of the forms of religion may
change and its doctrines fall into ds,lse or
yield for a time to opposition, the truths which
underlie them will at some time burst forth
with power and a beauty which cannot be
resisted or repeled. This has been the expe-
rience Of Christianity, and the pages of history
were called as collateral evidence thereof by
MIR. Richardson yesterday.
The Rev. DR.. Thomas Armitsse pastor Of
the Fifth avenue Baptist church, was for :
merly Methodist, and possesses all the
iuency and ease In the pulpit which early and
long practice brings to most men. lie is
man of exceedingly nervous temperament,
and, like all such natures, only needs
warming up TO become powerfully eloquent.
He is good theologian, sound reasoner,
and clear and forcible in the presentation of
the truth. His congregations are usually
large and apprecative, albeit they are fash
ionablc also. To his logic and eloquence in
the recent discussions on the city grant OF lois
for Home for aged Bsptists is very largely
due the unmistakable vote by which the gift
was accepted. DR.. Armitage is q man OF
robust frame, and to all human appearance
has many years Of usefulness yet before him.
The sermons of Drs. Armitage and Ridgaway
Do pot appear in our columns to-day; but