New-York tribune., 1873-07-26
AMONG THE CATSKILLS.

A SABBATH on THE MOUNTAIN-A RARE SEEMON-
THE CHARMS OF CATsKILL LIFE.
TFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUNE.l
OVERLOOK MOUNTAIN House, July 21.-After
several days Of mist and rain, the sun broke torth
yesterday from his hidng-place, revealing the purple
glorics OF mountain and valley, and shedding
true Sunday light over the magnificent scene. Inc
quiet of this sylvan retirement is refreshing and CRATE
full About hundred and fifty visitors have congre-
gated in this spacious and weordered house, forming
a pleasant company Of young men and maidens' old
men and children" with few Of the airs OF fashionable
life The majestic scenery of the mountains Is IaVof
able TO contemplation. AS far the eye can reach the
vision s saued by the everlasting hills, while the green
valleys and plains stretch forth Ike wayoess ocean,
In gorgeous beauty at their feet The day was passed
in Sabbath tranquility by the silent wOrshipers, some
seeking communion with the Invisible in the
grand forest temple made with hands, some court
ing revival faith and hope from the sweet influences
OF earth and sky, rekindng the atarhres IN the
solemn secrecy of their own souls. n was announced
that divine service to be held IN the evening IN he
large paror Of the hotel select choir of singers soon
volunteered for the occasion. The shades OF night had
scarcely gathered over the ancient mountains when the
little group Of worshipers assembled, with no smoke OF
incense no sound Of harp no groned cahedra
arches no pomp of sacred tanes but with almost rus
tic smrcity OF environment, open their hearts to
the inspiration of their better nature The preacher was
gious faith represented sect was the expounder
OF no creed He was without the prestige Of
any ecclesiastical communion. Many might even
deny his title to that name (which IS above
every name" His audience was composed OF the
miscellaneous collection of visitors that found in the
popular Summer resorts, with few who had been
drawn by curiosity interest from the villages below
the mountain. Here the rigid Presbyterian whose
early days had been seasoned with the salt Of the AS
tbora devOut
who had found her sweetest communion with the ideal
IN the tmehallowed liturgy Of the Episcopal fold The
disciple OF George Fox who had learned o recognize the
divine light though not in golden candlestick gave
his serene countenance to the service while the ancient
covenant was represented by not few or the
beautiful daughters of Rebekah. Doubters were there
who had never discovered the secret Of peace in the as
surance of faith, and who were anxious 70 know what
more could be said by Of gracious gifts and
sanity life on the hope Of humanity and the revelations
OF the soul. Rarely has deeper spirit OF loving har-
mOny brOoded over the congregation In the house OF
worship The preacher commenced with the recital OF
OF those inspired sentences from the old Hebrew
bard which lose the freshness Of youth in the ven
erabeness of age. will lift upm my eyes to the hills
from whence cometh my strength" Then was sung the
tender and touching hymn,
awhile Thee seek, protecting Power,
Be vain wishes suled"
which is always welcome TO Christians Of every name
followed was yearnng cry for the spirit of truth and
goodness for the presence Of the Infinite amid the sub
lime scenes of the Universe. for the elevation Of the
soul while enjoyngl the grandeur OF mountain nights.
In the commencement OF his discourse. the preacher
alluded in ane glow OF poetcal description, TO the
influence Of mountain scenery He portrayed with the
pencil of a consummate artist the solemn majesty and
exquisite lovelness that Natures own hand had SO
curiousiy blended in our daily spectacle of enchant
tn he prulu QN
alted souls on the formation Of character graceful
and effective We all worship said the preacher, what
Is above Our strength comes from the everlasting
hills The great and the good spirits with their
benignant sway. IL is reverence for the highest in
humanity that calls forth the highest in ourselves.
But here we are exposed TO fatal error We mistake
mounds for mountains We bow down before false idols
Instead Of wOrshipng what is truly divine. How often
does wealth receive the homage which Is due only to
virtue But the rich man such is entitled 20 no
spect, and should command no influence beyond the
utilities OF material life. II is the and gracious
souls, who have overcome the perturbatiOns OF the
world, whose daily lives breathe the atmosphere OF
Heaven, whose conduct is founded on the everlasting
rock OF duty, and whom no temptation can lead to
swerve from the line Of absolute justice to whom we
should look up strength our profoundest homage,
too should be paid to the high prophetic spirits
that In every age tower above the common level OF
humanity as manifestations OF the Divine. The bright
consummate flower OF these was Jesus OF Naza-
reth, who displayed in full-orbed glory the
perfections which Moses and Buddha, ZorOaster and
Confucius had dmly shadowed forth have given but
lifeess skeleton Of discourse, which clothed by
the preacher with living power and beauty and which
evidently made the profoundest impression the deeply
interested audience which listened to It, have heard
to-day but one opinion OF ia admirable character 1t
was so snguary appropriate TO the and the occa-
sion that it almost seemed much part Of the noun
tains as the glorious which preceded IT, Many
who heard IT, am sure gained new conception OF the
majesty OF simple truth, and the potent eoquence OF
vital sncery.-The attractions OF this place do not
pass away with the breath OF Sunday service. 1t
one Of tho lOveliest mountain retreats which can
be found on any line OF American or European
travel The peculiar charm OF the spot Is its breezy re-
tirement and its freedom from the annoyances which
usually infest the Summer watering-paces. There are
rapacious hackmen TO rob the traveller under pre-
tense OF guiding him 10 the hidden beauties Of the
scene no seductive faroable TO tempt his discretion
with its glittering bats, shining display OF super
nuous ribbons and laces shoddy spendors rowdy
roughness. The climate Is simply delicious The brac-
ing air OF the mountains is both food and cordial.
Everybody speaks Of an eXharatiOn which makes wine
an impertinence. Winter clothing by day aud Winter
blankets night a necessity, but coughs and hay
fever are unknown. The appetite becomes robust Ike
that OF a strong man on sea-yoyage and three sub
santia meals "a day heartily greeted even by the
caprcious digestion. But ample provision Is made
for the OF the epcure and the table OF the over
look both in material and cookery IL scarcely surpassed
by the most preentious metropolitan cuisines Inc ln-
fatuated persons who cultivate passion LOT mountain
scrambles may nave chance TO break their necks at
any moment I'm paths as steep and periIous the Maui
yais Pas at ChamOunL r.
The japanese Embassy has almost termi-
noted is abors one OF the ambassadors, Okubo Min.
ister OF Finance had already reached Yokohama via
suez. when the last steamer sailed, June 7. Another