The New York herald., 1877-01-15
AN EPISCOPAL ORDINATION.

INTERESTING SERVICES AT ST. JOHNS CHURCH,
BRooKLYN-REv. r. d. sNowDEN ORDAINED.
The handsomc lttlc Gothic church Of st. John,
Protestant Episcopa, situated on St. Johns place. be-
tween Seventh Sixth avenues, the western slope
OF Prospect Park comfortably filed yesterday
morning by attentive congregation, the feature Of
the service being the ordination OF Rev. Robert b.
Snowdcn from the order Of deacon TO that OF priest.
Mr. Snowden who is about forty years OF ago.
for several years Presbyterian Clergyman
and ofciated in Connecticut fttlc more tnan
year ago no abandoned Presbyterianism ana
was ordained deacon in the Episcopal Church, since
which time he has been at Fort Hamilton. The con-
grcgation Of ST. Johns, which number about 500,
formerly worshippcd in the old frame church which
occupied the site upon which the illfatsd Brooklyn
Theatre stood, and the remark had been frequently
made that not lucky TO build layhouso the
ground that had been used for purposes OF prayer.
The music at ST. Johns yesterday, which was very
line, rendered by choir composed as foilOws:-
Miss Delepcre, organst; Miss Lille NJ. Hutchcson,
soprano, .. A. Leach, tenor, and General Dc Lacey,
basso Within the sanctuary rails seated Bishop
Litticohn, ol the diocese of Long Island Rev. T. $.
Pickard rector OF the church; Rev X. B. Snowdcn,
Rev. Mr.. spolord, Rev. Mr. Adams and Rev. Mr..
Huntington. After the usual morning prayers the
sermon preached by the rector, Re-; Mr. Pickard,
upon the duties and Offices OF the ministry.
SERMON.
The text taken IRON the Gospel of St. Matthew,
xL, 10"For this is he of whom 1t is written Behold,
thy way Uciore thee " The reverend gentleman pro.
ccedcd to cxhort ,hc new applicant Tor ordination
touching the dignity and duty oil the high Office OF the
priesthood. The Christian minister does not invent
his method Of instructing the people; it pro-
vided for HIM from the Word oil God II Is the
duty OF the Christian ministry preach tho plain
and more simple words OF His divine truth, which are
most Intimately connected with welfare while
earth and his happiness hereafter Tho minister
not seek TO thrust his individuality of thought
upon others. He may put the truth In fresh form,
but he must at all times keep within tho accepted and
prescribed rules OF the Church, presenting the Bible
MS the authoritative Word OF God The Christian
iscr is required preach neither nor less than
these truths. No minister bo successful in his(
ministry, therefore, OF whom this precept not
characterlstic:-"l have n message direct from the
Court of Heaven; woe is mo II | preach not tho Co.'S
peI - The speaker then briefly addressed the candi-
date for ordination IN words OF welcome the IN
,stry Of the Episcopal Church.
THE cEREMoNy.
Al the conclusion OF the sermon the Rev. Mr.. Pick
ard presented the candidate to the Bishop The tany
was rccitcd by the priests and the people gave
responses Then followed tho communion services
and the collect The Bishop next put to the Deacon,
who sought the order OF priesthood, the questions
laid down in the Church ritual, to which Deacon Snow
den rcspo nded ainrmativey. Afcr the imposition OF
hands by the Bishop and priests the Lords supper
was partaken OF by the cIcrgymcn, and, the bone
dction being given, the congregation was dismissed