The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-10-09
NEW ENGLAND coIcaEGAT,esA CaUacu.

Form and Substance Of Religions Worship-
Los Churches for the poOr Frontier
Magnificent Temples for the Wealthy in
Cities-scrmon by Rev. DIR. Merrill Fiichard-
aon.
There was the usual large and fashionable attend
ance at the services yesterday morning ut the New
England Congregational church, corner OF Forty
seventh street and Madison avenue. After the
customary preliminary exercises the pastor, Rev.
Dr. Merrill Richardson, preached . forclbe ana
eloquent discourse the subject OF the
FORM AND SUBSTANCE OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP,
taking for his text john w., 23-"The hour comeh
ana is wnen the true worshippers shall worship
the Father In spirit aad In truth" When Christ
came the worship OF God had lost It's spirituality.
Men were scrupulous In regarding the letter 10 the
neglect OF tho spirit Of true worship.
new desperation commenced. Gods law was
to be written on the heart. Times, places rites,
temple, synagogue and altar were 10 give place
to tho spirit and truth OF Christianity. Christ re.
versed the maxims and the practice Of the whole
Jewish service. The soul Of religion was 10 be re-
leased from It's cerements OF death and to spirit
ua life. No longer could the spirit be sacrificed to
the letter OF religion, its substance 10 lis symbol
Christ did not discard forms; He only condemned
their abuse. They were not the
ESSENCE OF RELIGION;
only helps thereto. Christ did not strip religion
bare Of all its garments After dwelling at length
on this point he proceeded TO show that Christ
would not have spiritual life smothered with cxter
mails. The spirit should be supreme. Christianity
should be for oil ages ana conditions 1t must
be free TO alter It's forms to suit growing people
Methods OF actions must change as men progress.
Abel could In his day oner sacrifice on pile OF
stones as acceptable to God as any which David
offered in the Tabernacle or which we can OFFER in
our churches. God ordained forms OF religion be-
cause some form was essential Forms changed 10
suit the necessities Of the people Government is
ordained by God. That IA the most divine govern
ment which best serves the welfare OF the people
CHRIST shows the divinity OF His teaching III mat lie
did not bind all men in all ages and degrees OF light
by the same methods. In these days MEANS taste, cu
tlre and good sense must be used. An educated peo
Pile would not obey the true idea OF worship II their
temples did not correspond to their means and cul-
ture. rough cabin may be Gods sanctuary on
the frontier, but not when the people are able to
have every comfort and elegance III home. The very
contrast would then he degrading. Gods house, in
lis fitness and furniture, should have u refining in
nuence. WHAT Is called
RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE
has ever aimed to inspire the hearts o. the wor-
shippers, deepening and enrolling TIC emotions
aud bringing, the soul in communion WA. ID. As
God ornaments His eat temple OF natu. with
doris and making It vocal with song, anl
Its air laden win he perfume of flowers, painting
the evening and morning SKY with the radiance or
glory, SO He viii not refuse waste that sanctuary
wherein men worship Linn IN the beauty OF holiness.
taste In making an acceptable Offering to God. You
can say with David you would not offer to tho Lord
that which costs you nothing. As music must use
voice and harp and organ Tor its utterancc, ana as
poetic thought must borrow the imagery or nature
for It's expression, SO must public devotion have
this fitting symbol. We put obey universal
law OF God when emnody our sentiment
OF religion In forms adapted 10 cultivated
taste. Having exhausted thls branch OF hIs
discourse he next took up the substance OF true
WORSHIP WHICH he insisted, Is not only the weigh
tier matter, but the essence OF the whole. When
Goa's house OF worship iais as means OF awaken
Ing the emotion OF worship and sanctfying the son,
tnen the cosiilest quits, the chorus OF instruments
and voices the gorgeous robes OF the priest and tic
solemn assemblies are naught In His sight
trc heart Is OF greater price. Sembance must
cease and al prctence and show, Having cop,ously
Illustrated this point he went on to show that the
RIGHT KIND or CHURCH
IS Gods cearest light on every question OF duty to
Goa ano mar. Chttsts spirit and temper must be
In Hts disciples. IL Is not enough for q
Church 10 point to Its catechisn or creed
ana say, "Inere Is our TRUTH 1t mast
be seen as light on hill, seen OF all men every
question oil duty.