The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-30
WOMAN IN THE PULPIT.

Rev. Phoebe A. Hanaford's Sermon In
Jersey City-The Rite OF Baptism Per-
formcd-Interesting scene.
The First Universalist congregation OF Jersey
City worship ia the small, unpretending structure
that until recently, was occupied by the Method
lists, and situate opposite Library Hall,
In the Bergen district. Here the Rev.
Phoebe A. Hanaford, OF New Haven, held forth
yesterday to an admiring II not curiosity seeking
congregation. 1t was what is designated Floral Sun
day, and choice collection or flowers around the
pulpit shed delicious perfume through the build
ing. The scene throughout must have been novel
one to men OF the olden time like honest Edgar
b. Wakeman, whose years count back to
the century when the advent Of women
into the pulpit would have been regarded as one Of
the premonitions Of the day ofjudgment. The Rev.
Phoebe may be only thirty, but she may be also
fifty. Fine black curls fall either side OF an in
tellectuai head till they reach the shoulders and
once must have impaired delightful grace to the
ladys presence. she addresses her congregation
with huency, and the first characteristic that
strikes the nearer Is the absence OF embarrass-
ment.
The reverend cergywoman dscoursed on bap-
tism, which she discussed so thoroughly that not
only was little lett to be said the subject, bur
little efficacy was left In the sacred rite itself
Here are some OF the cOncusiOnS:-NO baptism
except that OF the Divine Spirit can truly satisfy
any Christian or save any sinful soul.
BAPTISM Is NOT A SAVING GRACE
in any sense. 1t Is not the beauty Of the person,
but OF the spirit, that constitutes saving grace.
In love- Christian love only Is true beauty to be
found. The reverend preacher abandoned this
theme and launched into most fertile one for all
preachers, the Sermon on the M0unt-"Consider
the lilies oil the field how they grow they toll not,
neither do they spin: and yet say unto you, That
even solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like
one OF these" She entered intoan elaborate
DEFINITION OF THE WORD 'CoNsIDER,u
ITO sit close BY" &c, and then called on the chill
dren TO sit close and closer by the MOVERS surround
pnor must have been felt. "Conslder the lilles OF
the field how they grow" and she laid such an
emphasis on 'how'' in the third REPETITION ana on
grow" II the fourth That the sermon was becom.
ing too philosophical altogether for the juveniles OF
the Sunday school till she pointed the text by tell
ing the children how they should
GROW IN SPIRIT
ana in grace, always remembering that Solomon in
all his glory was not arrayed like one OF these.
The per0ration was redOent OF flowers. The
preacher, like the allegOrical eagle, seemed to
grow young, for her countenance beamed with that
long gone by ere she dreamed OF becoming
teacher OF men.
followed. Fifteen or sixteen candidates for bap-
tlsm, mostly children OF an average age Of two
years, were brought to the railing. The first little
fellow struggled violently when the Rev. Phoebe
the water on his head and pronounced the words,
81 baptize thee" &c. The third little fellow was
determined not to submit, for his voice rung
through the church.
:. ~. so, aA NINA NO, MAMMA; NO, MAMMA;n
at the same time struggling TO reach his mothers
arms Yet no mother could fondle the boy more
tenderly than did the reverend celebrant, for on
pr0nouncing the word "Amen" she imprinted oe
the cheek Of each candidate. including
the grown-up one. deep, long-drawn kiss,
at the same time pressing the dear one
to her bosom with such fondness that her
frame qulvered with emotion. Yet this did not
reconcile the little ones to the strange ceremony
until the reverend clergyman gave to each a deli
cate DOVER pronouncing at the same time some
beautiful words which were not audible through.
out the building, and with these the ceremony was
brought to q close. Parents and children alike
seemed happy.