The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-12
WORSHIP AT THE BROOKLYN ACADEMY.

FREQ Religious services for An-Sermon by
Rev. Henry Powers on the Faithiess and
Improbable Servant.
Rev. Henry Powers, late pastor of the Elm place
Congregational church, preached the sermon at tho
Brooklyn Academy OF Music last evening" The
building was densely crowded, the congrega-
ton being made up from both the wealthy
and poor classes, who flocked thither as soon
as the doors were opened. BY half-past seven
O'Clock the parquet, balcony and dress circle were
filed to repletion and many persons unable TO OBJ
tain seats, ranged themselves along tile walls. The
family circle was soon afterwards crowded alse.
very many OF those in that part OF the
house being boys, who kept up continual buzz Of
conversation until the services commenced. In
fact the presence Of this animated throng OF juve
niles reminded the observer more Of the ha6ftues
Of the family circle at theatrical performance than
the attendants at a religious meeting
The Stage was occupied by a large number Of
ladies' and gentlemen, among whom were noticed
many well.known residents OF Brooklyn. choir
OF about twenty voices occupied the left OF the
stage. The hymn sung by the choir and congrega-
ton was selected from printed pamphlet OF
.hymns and tunes" copies or which were circu-
At about eight O'Clock the services were opened
by singing, alter which Rev: Mr.: Putnam, pastor
OF the Unitarian Church Of the Saviour. read .
portion OF the scriptures and Onered o fervene
Rev. Mr. Powers es reierrea to the fact that all the
pamphlets of hymns distributed at the services
last SUNDAY had been taken
last evening were left behind they would be co.
couraged to PRINT more so that the congregation
would have better supply. Mr.. Powers gave
notice OF a meeting to be held on Wednesday even
ing, in the Assembly Room Of the Art building
adjoining the Academy for the purpose or discuss
ing what sort OF a religious organization Is
demanded by the times IN which we i've. All per-
sons are invited to participate in che discussion.
Mr.. Powers announced his text from ST. Matthew
XIV, 3o-'.But cast ye the Improbable servant
gnashing Of teeth" A very hard sentence we
tnought perhaps, he said, and cruel one TO be In
corang to sen fHr poOn
had done no great wrong. lie was not debauchee.
he nad stolen nothing, he was no murderer; on the
had that excellency which many admired so much:
lie was afraid Of his Lord and was SO constrained
to certain line OF conduct OF which he tells us In
the parable. II we would understand this matter
we must study the passage in its connection and
consider the DRIFT Of the whole paragraph OF which
IL formed part. The Lord was discussing In pre-
vlous chapter concerning che law OF retrbuii on
which He mad Indicated, and in accordance with
which He carried on His moral government-tho
law which was ABOUT to exhibit Itself in the con-
entire jewish nation. The particular point OF the
parable was this: This law proceeded according 70
any bad especially, but rather whether he had i'm
proved his OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES he had made
right OF his talents; whether he had been equal
the privileges granted TO him 10 TINS life; whether
he had made the most OF himself, thus fulnlllng
Gods design in him. for the very purpose OF creation
flee; In the conierring OF gifts upon HIS children.
and the essence OF man was this: fidelity TO such
God and the use Of these gifts In the way he had
ordained It, so that men might be developed
for q s 9S as T.
ton upon the Improbable servants. wasted life
is HIS adherence. TIE thing which God most
detested was not positive wickedness but rather
negative gOOdness-this sort or Indifferent
Ism and lay liypg yhiSh accomplished ,nothing
ciety was not that which was imposed upon 1t
by the weak, but those negative people-young
ladies' who lived simply for Its adOrn-
ment, the young men whose fathers sup
ported them-who had no ANIMATION In
them-these deadheads OF society. The question
had been asked why there were SO many worthless
young ladies. the answer was given In "Adam
Bede,r that they were made TO match the men.
tLaugnter.) In conclusion Mr.. Powers cited the
lessons To be drawn from the parable The neglect OF
the use OF ones taients lasting evil We should
resolve TO be faithful and true to obligations rs
we had never been before No matter what our
positions were, the duties or those positions should
be fulfilled.
Rev. J. Hyatt Smith made few remarks on the
eflicacy OF o mothers prayer, ana exhorted MS
hearers ever to remember the prayers cnered IN
their behalf The services were brought 10 GLOSS
by prayer and singing.