The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-08
REll GIOUS.
~~~~~~~>~-~-~~-~~~>~>~
The Proclamation of the Gospel in
the Churches Yesterday.
Mr.. REPWOaTH'S NEW DEPARTURE
The Pastor Of the Church Of the Messiah
Resigns His Pastoral Charge.
An Enthusiastic but Indignant
Church Audience.
Father Beaudevin on the Star
n i'm Bethlehem.
Dr.. Merrill Richardson on tho New Year
Father Beaudevin on the Star
na i'm Bethlehem.
Dr.. Merrill Richardson on tho New Year
and Its New Duties
Sermons by Father Beaudevin, DR.. Chnp.
man, Rev. Messrs. Beecher, Hep
worth, Longacre, Fred Evans
and Elder Bywater.
CHURCH OF the MESSIAH.


--->->-.----~-~--~~~~~-
Sermon by DR.. Hepwortb, Giving More Par
ticulars Of His "N New Departure''-He Re.
signs His Passionate of the Church-Insu!ting
Letters Sent characterization, Applause and
Hisses-rhe People Tor the Preacher.
A scene rather unusual in church and among
Norshipping congregation took place yesterd ay
morning In the Church Of the Messiah. DR.. Hep
worth, as previously announced gave his people
his reasons Tor preaching his Christmas sermon.
HIS discourse yesterday might be considered
farewell to this church, and hence the most IN
tense interest was manifested to hear what the
eloquent divine had to Say. Every seat the puild-
Ing was occupied, and double rows 0: camp
stools lined the ajsles, while many scores
OF persons who could not be otherwise accom-
modated stood up In the rear and IN the galleries.
The Doctor created some sensation during the
progress OF his sermon and at Its close he SAID that
his present condition OF mind was nothing more
than the fruage to the BLOSSOM and that he stands
to-day practically where he stood ten years ago
but tho denomination has steadily drItcd away
from the old theological landmarks that mon
are now admitted wit min Its fold who would not be
received into any other body OF Christians In the
world.
- A SLIGHT SENSATION
was manifested az this statement. When he had
finished his sermon the Doctor said that as he was
no longer Unitarian he had deemed 1t proper to
tender his resignation. he had, therefore. written
70 the Chairman OF the Board or Trustees,
Mr.. Babcock, on Friday evening; announcing
that his resignation would be laid before the
church at Its regular meeting on MONDAY But Mr.
Babcock hoo written him letter on Saturday
evening" which, for the honor OF the Church and OF
The Trustees he hoped did not breathe their spirit.
The Doctor then expressed his kindly feelings
toward the congregation, md said that the TWO
years OF his ministry here have been among the
happiest OF his lie, and all that he asked to be
allowed to go his way and let them go theirs; but
he did hope to have been spared Insult. He then
read an extract Of Mir. Babcock's letter. which, in o
very lnsoient and unchristan manner, asked him to
occupy the pulpit to-day and that he (Mr. Babcock)
should that the Doctor received his pay therefor
but that after this date his would not be re-
CURED. Other scurrlIous letters had been sent him
aso-One calling him Dagon, and another charging
him with trying to break up the Church and to gain
possession Of the edince. &C., &c. But he said he
would not RAISE his finger 70 ask one Of the congre
katon to follow him. Ii thy would keep their
seats he would take his hat and
with none but his Heavenly Father above nim and
Jesus Christ his Redeemer In MS heart. Az the
~ eca na Tue Oh sne e'er ana 70
wnen he asserted MS own Independence and right
70 follow Ills convictions murinur VI pplause ran
through the congregation.
When DIR. lie worth had finished his statement
MT. Babcocx, wno evidently did not expect to have
the matter alluded 10. rose TO mako EXPLANATION,
but he was repeatedly missed while proceeding with
his apology, ana murmurs OF 'snamel" were audible
IN parts Of the church. He acknowledged the
writing OF the letter his own responsibility and
considered IL JuatlhaDle but expressed his former
kindly feelings toward and relations with Dr. Hep
worth, who should not, ne said, preach again in
the church OF the Messiah with his (Babcock's, con-
sent. ms gratultous remark called Iortn an addl
tonal storm oil hisses amid which ne took his scat
Dr.. hepworth then remarked that all that Mr.
Baocock had said was true, and, because he had
ms r mi from m
and the congregation hitherto nc had hoped 10 leave
the church Without creating feelings OF anImosty
SAID, It was Tor Two years. IRON October To October
but very soon alter his comdg trustees came 10
hin anu sad tnat tneYs could not rent their pew5
uniess ne would consent TO become their permanent
pastor he therefore authorized them TO an
he SAID Ur enc ~ A .h cmc ne mt not
you may believe, lie aided, ! snail preach some-
Wnere. AS II ny an lnyislpe Inspiration
GENERAL ClAPPIEG OF HAHDa,
winch lasted two or three minutes followed this an
nonnoement, aud as the congregation was ols-
missed great numbers went up 20 the communion |
PLATFORM and sn0oK Inc independent Christian |
minister warmly ~ the hama, and pledged him |
their sympathy their presence and pecunlary sun.
Dor IN au, enterprise he may undertake mere. Tne
landsnaking lasted about fifteen minutes, after |
which goOdy number remained to parlake of the |
sacrament oil The Lords supper Which was very
soieMn ard impressive occasion. DR.. Hepwoglh |
oon"reo sa as ,, e srmpasns oi majority OF the
Jay, tnat the people believe whe their teachers try
W MAKE them doub, there was general expression
VI approval Every body commented upon the ser. |
mon and the attendant circumstances, and expires.
s ZION, We're Freely made that Or. hcpworth was
eaid the Church OF the Messiah was doomed
ytnets remarked that there was no use In looking
or other nen. as Mir. Frotpinpnam mas declared
Inc people beheye while the teachers don't. Below
mr; hepworth's text was taken from 81. Matthew,
4, ~ 35;-"Wnosoeyer therefore shall CONFESS Me
before men hn VIII confess also before my Father
which Is IN heaven. But whatsoever shall DENY Mo
before men, lm WI also deny before my Father
which IS In heaven, lie said:--My friends, these
WOrus seem 10 me 10 be reighted down TO the very
waters edge WIN fearful import. For long time
I nave been growing INTO deeper aith IN the su.
pernniurai character oil Christ ana HIS religion II
II becomes necessary Tor me 10 change my demons.
national relations on account OF TINS larger faith,
Il has been my privilege anu my PRIDE % to WORK.
bhs take The step and bear the burden under the
CONSCIOUSNESS mat nave nothing TO 10 with con-
CHRIST and Him crucined leave the rest TO Provi.
dence. For some time have been gradually un.
NJ brethren have seen It and you nave scen it,
and now that the day mas come when 1 should lay
Ss ss sO Il %hc s M re- %
Just how matters are with me.
=. NO man eau nave warmer admiration than
have for the great. the good and tho holy men who
have In times past stood In the ranks or Unitarian.
Ism. or Of those scarcely less good ana holy men
men whose influence has not been confined to sect,
whose regulations nave Dcen world widei men who
belong 70 Christianity more than to any denomfna.
{ And can the more freely discuss our denomIna.
tional position because was born and reared under
have had some little TO DO In the administration OF
rs AFFAIRS. have watched It's progress ana It's ten
qencies. not with the heart Of critic, but with
eIl the While feeling sure that II is gradually becom-
Ing simple protest and nothing moro, aud that SO
Il and going Knew not where. gu felt tbs solic
fude, not for the body ITSELF because II is able 10
fats ssIs r. sss sut f0r myself a. ep iqdlyldna a