The New York herald., 1871-05-15
ST. JAMES, METHODIST EpScoraE CHURCH.
Interesting Dcd catory Serviccs-Discoursc by
Bishop James.

Interesting Dcd catory Serviccs-Dscoursc by
Bishop James.
Yesterday the st. James Methodist Episcopal
church, corner OF 126th street and Madison ave-
nue., Harlem, was dedicated 10 divine wor-
saip, with appropriate ceremonies. This edlfce Is
an imposing brown stone structure in the Norman
Gothic style OF architecture having spire 100 feet
hlgh and so arranged in respect 10 audience room.
Sunday school and class rooms and social parlors
TO render II spacious and convenient This new
church is another contribution to the numerous
public buildings that are making the metropolis OF
tnls country so attractive while 1t reflects credit
upon the public spirit Of denomination which Is
said to average the erection OF church each DAY
In the United states. The Interior Of the church IS
tastefully 1rescoed ard comfortably furnished, and
ali It's appoint mens are such as to make 1t de-
siab.e resort for the families OF the Methodist per-
suasion who contemplate making the upper part Of
tie city tner permanent residence.
TnE OBLIGATORY EXERCISES
throughout the day was large, number OF min
isers ana laymen from TINS and adjoining cilIcs
being present. The committee Of arrangements
met wan double DISAPPOINTMENT IN the al encc OF
Bishop simpson, wno was TO preach the morning
sermon, and Rev. Nil. Chapman, oi the oL johns
church, Brooklyn VINO was announced ~ occupy
the pulpit IN the afternoon. Telegtapnic dispatches
were received from these eminent divlnes that they
were confined TO their homes by sickness.
Ine services were commenced by voluntary
lpon the organ. winch Is placed on a gallery over
the main entrance and ironing the pulpit. 1t Is
large ana beautliui instrument. Then followed
enant tie reading oi the ritual form ol dedication,
prayer and reading of the scriptures, interspersed
Win Two appropriate hymns Jne preliminary eX-
erclses were conducted by Rev. Dr. Rdgeway, the
newly appointed pastors Aev. Dr. Brooks and
Revs. Messrs. Brown ana Carey.
Bishop James proceeded 10 deliver DISCOURSE
baslng MS remarks up0a the VISION VI the Prophet
Isaiah, recorded In the sNll chapter, lfOh the hrst
10 the eighth verse;
AFTER some Introductory statements he said that
the passage Ol scripture nc read represented God IA
government, IN worship and IN salvation. He was
sovereign in the natural world anu controlled and
resu,ated u. Even deVout per onS were acCus-
toned 10 look upon God as having created the uni
verse, setting Ia motion its agencies, ana thel beng
sUBLi9GLY ESrnRoSED
above them All, compacenuy pcholdng It's won
drUus workings and stupendous results; bat sucn
persons lorgot that ID requires the same power
70 cont.nde these operations that IL dld to start
them, anG me same wisdom 10 supervise lnat ~ uil
TO arrange them.
down laws for the government oi families and
of nations. Where those pIecepts were
iotcyresis POI psr Inc commnnlty 'e We're ~ SUI.
served; but their VOCATION brought disorder,
sirife and suffering. Would that ne the Bishop
could say 70 this whole na:ion, 10 It's rulers and ms
fellow cizens In every part Of the land That the dis
regard 81 God's authority, the Violation of Ills holy
Saubatis, the traiisgrcssion oI HIS divine precepts
VIII bring upon us a. a nation His Indignation aud
wrath. Nothing bit piety, nothing but Christianity
could conserve THIS great republic aud enable 1t TO
accomplish the designs OF Providcnce in raising us
up as people. In the moral word God governed
| by motive. All law implied penalty, ana hence
| HE'LL IS TIE PENAL COLONY OF THE UNIVERSE
| where devils and lost men who had forfeited the
Divine favor ana incurred the penalty OF HIS law
were suffering the deserts OF their quit ana leaving
! the realm Of Innocence and love tranquil because
their presence was not there TO disturb Cod relgns
| in the spiritual world aud HIS government, over
humanity Is q mediatoria government through tae
I lnterpositl0n ol our Lord Jesus Carist.
in treating OF the second tOpc-GO0 In wOrshi p
the BisnOp made some extended remarks, and
! dwelt upon the
IMPORTANCE AND BENEFIT or PUBLIC WORSHIP,
cnaraclerizng 1t as the highest form q deyouon.
3 The last thOught--God III salvationwag feelingly
elucidated. The first manifestation OF God 10 the
prophet was 10 convince him uf his sinful ana pO
! lued condition, leading him TO eXcainl, "Woe is
| me, for / am und0ue II THIS taught us that the
! knowledge Of God was the principal source OF a
true conviction for sln. The character OF God Is Tic
STA andard OF moral excellence, both IN heaven anu
/ upOn earth. and n men would know their conat