The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-09

Inc pulplt yestefoay, whose spirit finds e1-
preston in the full and picturesque reports we
print elsewhere, covered many themes. The
most expressive sermon seems to have been
delivered by the Rev. Mr.. Fulton of the Bap-
fist denomination, in Brooklyn. We give an
extended report of this discourse as o fervid
presentation Of the doctrines of one of the
most powerful among American churches.
1t seems impossible for those who look
at these UNCONVENTIONAL efforts from
an outside view to understand why
there should be SO much feeling among
religious sects as to whether the act of bap-
tism should be by immersion or sprinkling.
To US it is symbol of faith, sacrament or
an ordinance, as may be, and We should
think that modern erudition would be able to
discern the exact meaning of the Scrip
tural words ordaining it. But Mr..
Fulton sees more in his faith than
symbol that may be explained by any
translation of the Scriptures. He shows, with
much eloquence and erudition, that the Roman
Catholic Church rests upon the doctrine of
baptism by sprinkling, and that could we once
destroy that doctrine the power of the Papacy
would fall that after all there are but two
real religious bodies in the world-the Roman
Catholic and the Baptist. AS statement Of
the case Mr.. Fulton's sermon is valuable
contribution to our theological literature.
The Rev. Mr.. Northrop delivered a most eff
fective sermon on temperance. He considered
this new crusade against spirituous liquors as
&c e
woman's power From this he showed woman
what she could really do in the world, if she
exercised her influence, if she made ''herself
true missionary and dressed plainly" among
other things, that her power might even control
legislation in Albany and Washington. If
much that we hear is true women have had
something to say in the lobbies of our revered
council chambers but Mr.. Northrop leads Us
to suppose that under proper discipline she
could reform legislation altogether. We also
note on interesting sermon from Rev. Mr..
Adams on the advance of religion. Sin,
as this reverend orator aptly remarks. is one of
the costliest of habits-and he points us to the
army, the navy, the prisons and the police as
so many manifestations and consequences of
sin. We are afraid that the perfect fulflment
of MI. Adams theology would make sad havoc
with many of our cherished institutions,
antagonism between effective government
and true religion. Napoleon thought as
much when he said that his revenue
from brandy which was vice, paid him bet
ter than all the virtues in France 1t is pleas
ant to note that Mr.. Adams takes cheerful
view of the missionary field, especially among
the Mussulmans and Arabians, who, with
''their masculine nature" are beginning
slowly to embrace Christianity
Rev. Mr.. Beecher made an eloquent plea
for higher life, for strength to war upon our
baser instincts. He pictured the ideal Chris
tianity, which, as he truly says, should well
come wit humor, imagination and poetry.
Rev. Mr.. Hepworth illustrated the duties and
temptations Of rich men, while Father Turner
made an eloquent appeal for temperance
Rev. Mr.. Talmage made vigorous and some
what evident comparison between the value of
the human soul as compared with property,
the moral being that the true Christian must
think of more lasting things than bonds and
mortgages. Rev. Mr. Storrs dwelt upon the
efficacy of the sacrifcial Offering, and made a
grotesque comparison between Ruskin and
Byron, which makes US fear that he has read
neither of these authors closely. Father
Garesche continues his mission work, while
the Rev. Mr. Giles gave quite
rhapsody upon the TRANSPORTING and
transforming power of love-Gods love.
Rev. DR.. Dewey showed the eternal conflict
between truth and falsehood, while Rev. Mr..
rockingham seems to have drifted into
dreamy consideration of material and spr-
itual interests in human affairs. Rev. MIR.
Atterbury dwelt upon the necessity of cherish
ing the Sabbath as a day of rest and devotion,
while DIR. Chaplin admonished his congrega-
ton that God held every man responsible for
the wise use of his faculties.
Altogether there was a healthy. charitable,
catholic time in our pulpts yesterday. Mr..
Fulton's sermon no doubt will serve a wise
purpose in the interest of the Baptist faith;
but we think he would have made his doc
trines none the less effective if he had not
narrowed his subject for, after all, are not
mercy and love among Gods attributes
And may we not believe that mercy
and love will find that man
may be lowly Christian and at the same
time have his own views about certain Qrdi-