The New York herald., 1871-03-13
Sunday Guides TO salvatios.

Not even abundant zeal and waterproof
overcoats and cloaks were sufficient induce
ments to sinners to crowd the churches
yesterday. During the hours Of divine SER
vice the rain fell in torrents, and those persons
who listened to the sermons must have for
gotten all that the preachers said in endeavor-
ing to reach their homes without getting
drenched. Our reports this morning will,
consequently, prove of more than usual inte-
rest to the "seekers after grace"
Mr.. Hepworth's discourse, in which he
argued that success was always the reward
of virtuous life, was notable for its sound
ideas in some parts and for its errors in others.
That life is alone successful which is happy,
and certainly virtue is not always rewarded
with happiness. Men and women daily walk
through life with sad hearts and bruised and
weary feet, resisting the temptation to sin and
having no hope, save in the hereafter, for re-
lease from misery. Mr.. Hepworth is
right in pronouncing false the idea
that the mere acquisition of money is
success. 1t would have been better had he
urged upon his congregation that virtuous
life is preferable to one of sin, because the
wretchedness of the sinner is tenfold that
of the virtuous on earth, and has not the
strengthening prospect of relief in heaven.
We may be virtuous without success attending
us through life, for we may lack happiness.
Perhaps it is not exaggerating to assert that,
in proportion to their numbers, there are more
tears of anguish shed by the pure than by the
wicked.
On the subject of our future home Rev.
Chauncey Giles held forth eloquently, while
DR.. Ormiston earnestly described the Chris
on moral self-consciousness, based on the
parable of the Prodigal Son, was listened to
by DR.. Chapin's congregation. DR.. Bellows
took rather gloomy view of the moral status
Of the times, holding up to his hearers pic
ture of the sins and follies in which weak
humanity so often indulge. In contrast with
this sermon was the discourse of the
Rev. Mr.. Tying, in which was shown
the beauty and grandeur of Christ as
the Saviour of man. DR.. Hall depicted the
dangers which beset the rich and the tempta-
tons which surround the poor, while Mr..
rockingham enlightened mankind on the
subject of religion and salvation.
Brother Beecher's sermon, after he had lec-
tured the congregation for not redeeming their
promise in the matter of money subscrip-
ton, was quite interesting. The Apostle of
Plymouth church first considered what the
divine standard Of perfection is, and
next devoted his attention to those
who endeavor to make mankind per-
feet by exhibiting can Internal spirit"
toward the weak and erring. In Washington
DR.. Newman preached on the important SUBJ
ject of the marriage relations, expressing
views which ''those fippant women" who
clamor for the suffrage will not admire, but
which every thoughtful man and woman in the
country will approve.
As will be seen, our reports Of sermons this
morning are unusually interesting. Live
topics were discussed yesterday, each differ
ing widely from the others in details, but all
leading the sinner along the roads which ter
inmate in heaven.