The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-19
GRACE CHURCH.

Lonten Sermon on Death-Appoarance Of
the Church.
This fashionable church betrayed the influence OF
the Lenten season, both In the full attendance and
the comparatively sober raiment OF the cOngrega-
ton. Every seat was filled, and about the doors
there was the usual fringe OF belared worshlppers
and curious spectators, most OF the latter however
taking care to make their exit as soon as the hymn
at the close Of morning prayers had been begun and
thus escaping the somewhat unpleasing effort OF
sraning the ear to catch the words Of the preacher
Strangely enough, Grace church, exquisltely beau.
tiful rs 1t Is as WORK OF ecclesiastic
art-a religious poem in stone-is singuarly de.
fectve In good acoustic properties. The congrega-
ton seemed unusually devout and looking forward
to the chancel one could only see patch Of
bright coloring at remote intervals. Brown and
black and gray seemed so common, indeed, that but
might for the moment be imagined to be filled with
grave Quakers and demure QuaKeresses Grace
church. therefore, to those who remember it
was s. well worth visiting Il only ior the A pur
pose OF remarking the contrast now that
and ashes that beft the solemn associations OF the
Lenlen season. But 1t is always worth visiting II
1t be only to take another glimpse at Brown and to
view mis- ever swelling proportions enrobed In a
coat that seems In chronic state or revolt at the
acres OF rat and flesh that II Is expected to decenuy
cover.
1t Is scarcely necessary to say that the music was
very good. The sermon, also, was emlnently ap.
prOpriate, and was delivered In strain OF dIgnned
el0quence That was, no doubt, very impressive to
those favorltes OF Sabbath fortune who occu-
pied the front pews, II the occasional
snatches OF 1t that now and then struggled
painfully to the ears OF the Intersection OF the
church might be taken as specimen sample Of the
main body OF the DISCOURSE IL described the GER
tainty the mystery, the bitterness or death. how
vain ali schemes and plans OF life In which the
inevitable end was hidden from viewi There were
people so foolish that they would not allow this
strange mystery OF mortality to be mentioned In
their presence, and who carefully preserved their
children from any knowledge OF Its exist
ence. But this was as absurd as
though O man. conscious of danger from
his enemies, should voluntarily blind his ewes to
their designs at the very moment that the stroke
was ABOUT 10 fail upon his head. the preacher
then, In fitting terms depicted the sorrow Of the
bereaved, and the apparent utter want OF sympathy
from nature to their suffering The heavens were
as beautiful the sunshine bright the busy throng
hurried through the city street with the same In
tentness their selfish errands before tins terri
Bile blow came and darkcned life with woe and
mourning. In such seasons 1t was wei to remember
the keen sympathy OF the Saviour while he was ON
earth with afilcOn, to recall how he raised up the
daughter OF Jairus and brought back to life the
Widows son and restored Lazarus to his sorrow.
ing sisters. Most wonderful OF all his mir.
acles were these victories over death, and his re-
surrecti0n was the browning point OF triumph to
his life on earth. The speaker then referred to two
deaths OF beloved members OF the congregation
that mad marked the last week.