New-York tribune., 1884-01-27
PULPIT SKETCHES.
THE REV. G. ". H0UGHTON. DID,, OF THE
CHURCH OF THE TRANSPORTATION.


middle Of the block lie will naturally under the spur Of
a sudden curiosity push his inquiries until he learns that
he has found the Church OF the Transguraion one of
the least known among the important Episcopal
churches, yet by the grace Of memorable accidentn
1870 widely spoken Of perhaps, throughout the
Anglo-American world than any other, or Of any re-
lgious body whatever Manhattan Island. II is not
easy to find this church. One may thread all the thor
Oughfares in the neigboroOd without suspeeting
its existence whereabouts until he comes flush upon
it, It ncstes ont of sight Like the arbutus It seeks
covert under LEAKAGE and among thckets There Is no
| spire-no cappng and Ginning OF bells. There is no
solicitation OF meodous color destinations OF con-
sstent finely studied architecture II shrnks back IRON
the street If deprecang face TO face notorey 90
in winter the dun, shrinking line Of hudded gables,
dormers broken roofs pzziDg angles projections ana
recesses rising perhaps at only point above the
height Of the neighbOrng secOndstory windows, Is eas
obscured by the solid that flank the rear In
summer and autumn clumps OF shrubbery and oyerhang-
| ing trees embower It completely. pretty garden
stretches the whole between the street and
the church, which is approached Ivy rambling pathways
neatly tagged. A rOOmy, wellprOportiOned clergy
house the western end boldly commands and indeed
looks down upon the church buildings that sragge east
| ward in almost motley disorder
Tile history this parish To the intelligent eye Is built
into every foot OF the church edce. II Is the history OF
quiet. unObtrusive growth Every year bringing an
enlargement and addition elsewhere, according
|
might be truthfuy said that the builders rarely alb
sent from the premises for twelve months at time
From the most unpretcndng beginnings and most un-
promising, by severe sef-denials and sharp struggles
with multiplied difficulties, without money, with
out wealth and influential lay corporation for long
years has grown strong well-compacted harmonious
and homogeneous parish certainly one OF the most seu
and servceabe in the city, while it is quickened through
and through with the glowing faith and devotion of its
fellowship So there an esOterc beauty in this illogical
and paradoxica after ALL not often discernbe
in grander and cosler temples For there is visible
story Of growth, life work, conceived In the heart or
slender shy, young parish almost thirty years when
Twenty tyninth-st and its neghborhood envirOHed
by open fields with here and there the rbbsh and hustle
OF some bold, pioneer building. So this church has
deeper meaning than any brand-new, pretentious
achievement OF rich parish and its vOluble architect
1t has history whose interest can never stale.
THE INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH.
1t is longer a" little church, Enter mt the low
western porch. At once religious atmosphere sur
rounds you The square vcstbue has It's aims chest its
glazed plan Of the interior and stngs in one corner Is
little OF shelves crowded with leaflets and reports
OF multiplied parish guilds for both sexes all ages and all
Christian activities. and seasOnabe tracts, hymns and
offices of devotion which any may take away Cross
ing the Threshold there the long, low chapel reaching
westward to the oratOry with its great font hard by.
This is the place where the unceasing daily services
held Facing eastward at the foot OF long aisle
OF tie church prOper,whch grows out Of the chapel
extending TO the beautiful chance with its glstening
white marble altar the remote east end The ceiling
is lOw-hardy twenty feet, while the side aises seem
buried under the sopng roof which pierced with low
dormer windows. Narrow and short lance-windOws,
filed with religious legends and pictures, such as Ilo-
man Hunts Light Of the World and Clingng TO the
Cross" give subdued twilight effect, while the
chancel the low roundarched roof let's in white light
through ground and figured panes the devout and
hrrnSh ha6r ~
work On the super altar is large in
FURNISHED brass, showing ont against rchy-cn
br0idered curtain n background. The remain
ing space of the rounded arch is filed with remarkably
fine replication of the upper stage OF Raphaes Trans
hguraon On either side OF the altar hang the st. Paul
and ST. Peter admirably executed in oil colurs, after Fra
BarolOmeO At the left OF the chanccl the wall
stands the pulpit. memorial gift in dark woods eabo
raely carved, with boldly modelled figure OF the Good
Shepherd bearing his sheep his shoulders. before the
front panel At pillar which marks the opposite side
of the stands an elaborate eagle-lecern, in the
finest ecclesiastical brass work, and a pair OF costly
chandeliers in the metal work suspended on
either side from the low chancel roof.
But We are standing before the chance-at head OF
a long perspective which retreats nearly 900 feet
through the chapel ut its foot AT the time
standing at the head OF another nave and its central
aisle which extends ut right angles down almost flush
with the sidewalk, where it terminates in quaint beau
t arced hapery, with its costly sculptured font Of
satuary marble The ground plan is Ike a carpenters
iron square laid down At the junction. at the head of
the long arm lies the chancc-whie the shorter arm
stands for the north and south AISLE reaching down to
open baptscry its end But at the junction the
interior angle is boldly cut on and outside |
area ncoscd which serves for an organ and choir with
congregation its night and another at its left
inarkahle memorial window with southern light, ad- !
joining the choir consists Of eXquisitey Illuminated
verses of one Of the Psalms Of David, transferred TO
Tlaxrx tel hv fhp
wife Of the rector aud with pathetic significance
constitute her monumental memorial.
The low broken roof outlines, the long perspective
meeting at the chancel the richly pictured walls the
memorial windows, the dim religious radiance every
where, full of Oriental suggestions, and this is
Heightened by the personality OF the rector who in his
venerable frosted beard, with dark mild yet penetrating
eyes. and almost statuesque pose, might pass easily
enough priest of the Oriental Church. This is the
only Episcopal church in the city where there Is de-
lberate and generous Of religious pictures. At IN
teryas. tasteluy distributed and executed with rare
fidelity in oils are admirable copies OF The Conception"
by Murillo the two BartoomeO figures, The Com |
munion OF st. Jerome" by DOnenichino The Arch |
angel Michael" by Guido Ren the Angel from Raphaers
Madonna di FognO." a Betrayal OF our Lord besides
two lovely mOsacs, executed in Venice :" The Blessed
Vrgin" the lectern and The Archangel Gabriel"
the pulpit Such accessories to religious devotion
give place for thought and food for reflection.
THE WORK OF THE PARISH.
The best things about this church not Immediately
dlscernibe. There is captivating, irresistible musical
service It Is reverent and devOut with surplced choir
Of men and boys but at the same time lnpretendng.
There is brancy Of popular preaching; none OF the
passionate Outburst of OatOy, Of its
literary dantiness and metaphysical adventure DIR.
Oughton although deeply cultured in bellesletes and
ripe, thorough scholar In many directions. is primarily
and continuously the teacher, the expouner, keeping
close questions Of personal duty and responsibility,
and tho growth and culture of fruitful Christian life
He reads his word by word and each is the child
Of prayer and priesty conservation There is auste
ascetlc realism running through 1t ALL IL the desnes
Of souls trembed IN the balance all the while before his
vision. His voice Is much worn, feeble and his
livery labOred but the people listen eagerly and