The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-18
New York-A New and Inviting Fieio
for the Preachers.

| face of the earth, the most cosmopolitan. 1t
is only few years ago since Sir Charles
Dixie, in somewhat loyal book, called the
"Greater Britain" spoke of New York as an
essentially Irish city Sir Charles is now one
of the most advanced of English reformers.
Since he wrote the "Greater Britain he has
changed many of his opinions. He is not so
loyal to his Queen as he used to be; he seems
to be much less satisfied than he once was
| with things as they are; and it is quite pos
sible that, in the enjoyment of a fuller and
clearer vision, he has changed his mind re-
garding New York. Most certainly his opin-
ion of New York was one-sided. His
judgment revealed BIASED mind as well
as an imperfect knowledge of facts. To-Day
Sir Charles is, no doubt, convinced of
his error, having found out that New York is
quite as much German as Irish, and yet heart
and soul an American city. Our institutions
are a puzzle to the people of the Old World.
They do not. they cannot, understand them.
Our city, while geographically and politically
American is as English as London, as Scotch
as Edinburgh, as German as Berlin, and as
| French as Paris. How it is SO the passing
traveller ought not to be supposed to know.
| The cosmopolitan character of New York
has just found a fresh and somewhat striking
illustration in an event which occurred on
Friday evening last. The Jewish Temple
Emanuel is one of the most conspicuous orna-
ments Of the most beautiful part of our city.
In that most elegant structure taste and
wealth have equally found development and
satisfactory expression. An ornament to
the city, and such an ornament as
should be source of pride to every
New Yorker and, indeed, to every
American, it is also q monument of
the piety Of our Jewish fellow citizens. On
Friday evening last the Rev. DR.. Gottheil
babe the congregation which is wont to assem-
BILE at Temple Emanuel temporary farewell.
The reverend gentleman, it seems, is one Of
the most learned and eloquent of English rab-
bies. Attracted by the name and fame Of the
United States, and yielding to certain solicita-
tons, he made visit to these shores. The
Temple Emanuel congregation heard him
preach on three different occasions, and the
result was that DR.. Gottheil was offered six
thousand dollars, we suppose in gold, to leave
his present charge, in Manchester, England,
and come to New York. Yesterday the Doc
tor sailed for Europe to arrange his affairs, to
take sorrowful leave of his Manchester congre-
cation, and otherwise to rid himself of the
cares and encumbrances of the Old World
prior to his settling in New York and taking
his place as English preacher at Temple
Emanuel. In bidding the Temple Emanuel
congregation temporary "goodby" he
promised to return, and pledged to them the
services of the remainder of his natural life
This, as we have said, is another evidence of
the cosmopolitan character Of our Empire
City.
1t is long since New York began to have
attractions for the lights Of the musical,
dramatic and lecturing world. Many years
have rolled past since the elder Kean found
in New York and our other cities appreciation,
encouragement and reward. His success was
never forgotten; and the receptions given in
after years to Macready, the younger Kean.
Brooke, Matthews and others kept alive the
memory In the musical world it has not
been different Who that was present when
Jenny Lind first appeared at Castle Garden,
or when she took part in the presenta-
ton Of Handels Messiah" will ever
forget the sensation? And was the Swed-
ish Nightingale more heartily appreciated
than the sweet ballad singer. the Irish
Catherine Hayes? The visits of Dickens and
Thackeray were equally memorable and quite
as productive of fruit. What European celeb
rity in opera or the drama, or on the lecturers
stand, is now satisfied until an American
audience has been tested and American gold
has been put in the purse? How the attrac-
tons have told and how the visitors have
multiplied! Time would fail to tell of the
many illustrious names which are as familiar
here as in London, in Paris at Vienna, at Ber-
lin or at st. Petersburg-the Ristoris, the
Missions, the Fechters the Rubinsteins, the
Froudes, the Burkes, the Macdonalds, the
Tyndalls and the rest. New York has taken
its place as one of the great world centres
and despite the absence of a court and the
snowy surroundings of a titled arstocracy it
is the privilege Of our citizens to command the
services of the choicest and the best in every
department of art and science in which human
genius can find expression.
New York, however, though fond Of the
theatre and the lecture room, does not de-
spise the Church. 1t is not unfair, we think,
to say that, despite the strangely mixed and
cosmopolitan character of the community, we
are as much urch-loving and church-at-
tending people as any other on the face of the
globe. No government authority prescribes
the limits of our belief or directs our worship.
Here, if anywhere, we are free to worship
under our own vine and fig tree, none daring
to make US afraid The Catholic is as free as
the Protestant, the Unitarian as the Univer-