The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-18
The sermon. Yesterday.

The religious event OF yesterday was thu
exchange Of pulpits between Mr.. Beechel
and Mr.. Hepworth. The congregation Of
the Church of the Disciples in Steinway
Hall were thrilled and spellbound with
the matchless eloquence Of the pastor Of
Plymouth church, Brooklyn, and we dare
say the Plymouth congregation were de-
| lighted with Mr.. Hepworth. It was mutual
recognition of Christian greatness, and was,
no doubt, as great treat to the preachers
as to the people. Greater numbers left Stein
those who were fortunate enough to gain ad-
mittance. Plymouth church was also crowded
| as usual. The subjects chosen by those two
eloquent dvines were peculiarly suitable to
the occasion and to the present season Of the
| Church, when the great work of the Lord
Jesus Christ is brought wildly to our
remembrance. Mr.. Beecher, in his own
inimitable style, presented in striking contrast
the pale glory of intellectual power, of riches,
OF material greatness and might when COM
pared with the knowledge of God and His
righteousness. The race, Mr.. Beecher said
man had his own conception of Him. Men
say that they know God, and plume them
selves on their knowledge, but the wisest
only know just enough to touch the hem Of
His garment, said the great preacher. How
almost utterly impossible it is for any human
soul to understand and know God was
illustrated by Mr.. Beecher by our imperfect
knowledge even Of great men of our own or o
former age. He uttered fearful truth as
well as witticism when he remarked that
for rich men to glory in their riches would
upset New York In twenty -four hours.
Equally appropriate was Mr.. Hepworth's dis
course on the inscription on the cross, in
which was comprehended all that Jesus said
and did before He assembled Calvary to die.
The whole sentence, said Mr.. Hepworth, ex-
pressed concrete contempt; but the words are
true, for Christ Is not only the King of the
Jews, but to-day He is King of the whole
world; and our hope Of heaven lies in the
fact that Jesus went up to God and left the
door open for us.
DR.. Hastings, In the Forty-second street
Presbyterian church, endeavored to set forth
the worth and preciousness of man. DR..
Furness, of Philadelphia, considered the pro-
posed religious amendment to the constitution,
which he ridiculed, as if there could be no re-
cognition of the Supreme Being except by
name, and as If it were not one thing to cry
sLord, Lord" and another to do His will.
Christianity at the first, as evidenced by the
Catacombs of Rome, was not he said, like our
present forms of it, a creed or an observance,
bnt life-not an artificial routine of formali-
ties, but sphere for all common sympathies
and deeds. The Rev. Mr.. Park encouraged
the New England Congregational church to
move forward as the Israelites did across the
Red Sea, while their Egyptian shareholders pur-
sued. The Importance of prompt and decided
action was the lesson deduced and which was
illustrated by historic events. The dreadful
crime which men commit who make light of
Gods invitations was the subject matter of
My Taylor's discourse in the Broadway Taber-
nacle. The mistaken notions which people
get about religion were disclaimed as having
any foundation whatever either 10 the Gospel
or iu Christian experience.
The now celebrated Catholic preacher, Rev.
Thomas Burke, did a good service to bis
countrymen and to his Church when he dis
coursed, as he did yesterday, on st. Patrick,
about whom, perhaps, greater amount of
ignorance prevails than any other historic per-
sonags Of equal Importance, not only among
the opponents of Catholicism, but among its
adherents. The Rev. Father Damen, whose
revival meetings have had such wonderful
success in these parts, preached with great
acceptance and power last evening to large
congregation in the Church of the Holy limo
cents. He took up the popular objections to
Catholicism, and showed their groundlessness.
The objection that Catholics are not allowed
to read the Bible was particularly noticed,
and he called attention to the fact
that Pope Plus vi. exhorted the faithful
to read Gods Holy Word for edifcation and
sanctiication. 1t is the bulwark of the
Church, its sword and shield, and by it
heretics are convinced of their errors and the
truth Of Catholic doctrines is proved. Father
Fransioli, in st. Peters church, Brooklyn,
was very sensitively affected because 'sthat
pure and holy mother the Catholic Church
is vllified by thepress, by pamphlet, at public
meetings, in official assemblages and BY indi-
viduals," and he wished to know how he
might stop this stoning and turn aside these
darts Of the enemy. No Catholic, he declared,
should Be- on on the criminal list. fhe true
children Of the Church must reach state Of
perfection, not only, in faith but in acts, which
will challenge respect and admiration. That
should be the aim Of every one Of every church
and creed and name.
The Rev. Mr.. Hill presented the lessons
taught to the Jewish mind by the transfgura-
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