New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-12
ART IN GODS SERVICE.

~
The Rev. DR.. Henry G. Potter of Grace
Church preached yesterday morning the relation of
religion to architecture. His text was St Matthew
XVII and 8: But when his disciples raw il they
had Indignation, saying, to what PURPOSE is this waste
For this ointment might have been sold for much and
given the poor" Tie following Of the points
OF the
To tho disciples Mary's act OF breaking the box o.
precious ointment in honor OF her Lord seemed wanon
they dill hesitate 20 80 III Inc language OF the
text. Their words give expression to continent which
the less natural because In those which ImEici-
atcly follow Christ delic4tCy but uneuiyocly re-
Dukes IT, and they suggest few thoughts which to-day,
at uy I,ie are not altogether unmey OF inappropriate
During the past week IN neigEDOring city there vas
dedicated 10 the worship Of God church elee which
will take rank with tine finest edifcos which for any pr-
pose have reared in tLis laud. IL is marked by
general dignity 81 proportion and nassyen'ss 81 effect
and richness and beauty or decoration is iir without
parallel in America And white the conservation OF this
splendid building progressing III mo same city bnt
m very different structure pain men, without
culture or learning. without single accessory OF
art ninisteing TO far vaser thronS in an edce
| of the Tudest fashion.
II "a jnpnsble INA, the mind should not put two such
facts as these together and Ia many INSTANCES draw con
illusions unlike that which in expression Ia the
text In other words find That. under certain
conditions. be rs readily gather 1t In a@aIn ~ IA
basIlica, thlt persons sIoud 10 temptl To Sno tal
the ba.ic,, with its $700O0O Of expenditure 10 waste
and the barn with Us outlay oi hto moro than as many
hundreds, mo only realiy CnIlstah temple 10 "Hii
purpose this enormous outlay. II Is asked which VIII
iced DO hungry, and cl0the chilly poOri And 10 20
step further IL ~ 10 less ihPOoSOe 10 "'ed asins our
selyes concerning the money which We spend upon our
homes. upon our pdhho galleries u ar upon our ma
heulus and parks, ana hc0OIs OF design. 10 what
burmese Is this 90 How dares ono SD down under
ihe shadow of picture that cost $4,000 wino ttas "a .
single soul utauSht conccihihE ."s or "De 1bese 70
a buugry child this great Ciiyt Whai Is tls dnoips-
ment, this smOOihncss OF lie, but 81 lhcX"IDlo Wa-
fulns Unfortunately nost of tho peOpi, could give 40
answer TO these unrsiOn, other tan 10 say thai custom
saIctiuIis such course, and mat ono caios DO 80 dN'-
ont f,,n Ones uehbOrs such state If mind /, worse
thsn any cX,ya ance, for II cannot feel thGt our
lives have .ghcr rule ANA our ietlos soni" hEo
rovnl law than that Of custom. then ins Whole IDEA ol
religion Is dismal unhealthy lt IL also COMMON 10 tti1
upon aIitbmcea and comparative tio'ies 10 show tin'
Ing would not relieve the paupeiiSn or tho lana Tor
week and that II 1t did Il would only encourage IN eYii
,nstod of cLg 10 would be cisy 10 place money
SO expended against the sums thai a'o expended IN
useless and perishabIe Inxuries th"' evo hotnns pe
engendrred and strengthened. and 10 show how much
larger Ii this latter expense thnn tho FORMER anu a
taai which produces thDg permanent and beautiful.