The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-07-29
PASTOR HERR'S ELOQUENCE.
Communion Sunday in the First Presby-
terian Church.

Communion Sunday in the First Presby-
terian Church.
| strolled into the First Presbyterian
Church, in Emo ry street, yesterday morn
ing to see and listen to the Rev. Charles
Herr.
The church has most inviting appear
ance. It's lengthy sides of brown brick
with slanting side roof of slate, from
which a secondary structure rears itselt
among the tops of surrounding trees; its
ample yards, apparently carpeted with
fresh green velvet; its wide open door and
windows, through which pealed forth the
melodious chords of the organ, d the
congregational singing, all combined with
the groVe-like surroundings to give it the
air of village church
AS crossed the threshold remembered
the insinuation that the trouble between
the Rev. Mr.. Herr and the Rev. Mr.. Stod
dard grew out of jealousy, aroused by the
efforts of each to have his church recog-
nized as the bon-ton church of the Hill.
Was it an aristocratic church was enter
ingY / glanced over the sea of worshippers
in the large auditorium. My first impress
sion was the absence of the rich plumage
of an aristocratic congregation. though
this could be accounted for, perhaps, by
WV h0iAAbSk Va NctOchhO pCho, HhOoC OCC0-
pants are at the seashore or mountains.
An aristocratic looking lady in black,
occupying the pew into which had been
ushered, courteously passed me hymn
book. The minister, whom mistook for
a theological student on a vacation, had
just announced the hymn. A gentleman
mounted the rostrum, and, after the Or
gan had pealed forth few notes, started
the singing and was heartily joined by
the entire congregation. Certainly not
an aristocratic choir. No "wasp-Waisted
misses screeching Italian" here.
Nor is the interior decoration of the
edifice such as is characteristic of the
modern bon ton church. 1t is almost
grand in simplicity. Throughout is the
quest yet pleasing harmony Of white and
brown. The brown side pillars support
the bases of a series of white pointed
arches These, together with the net
work of brown roof stays far overhead
against white roof. relieve the barren
ness of plain architecture. Back of the
rostrum the dark brown panels of an i'm
menSe organ are reared almost to the roof,
its monotony of color relieved only by q
row of gilded pipes.
1t was Communion Sunday. There was
to be no regular sermon. The clerical
gentleman whom l had mistaken for a
young theological student stepped for
ward again to plain pulpit desk. The
SAOOAJ NhiSh was t'A1AOoo Oudo VI UUA
light, so dark were the threatening morn
ing clouds, perhaps accounted for the
mistake | had made in regard to the min
lister. More light might have revealed
upon the smooth, round face the evi-
dences of greater age and experience
than that common to young student.
1t was the Rev. Charles Herr. His dark
hair was brushed smoothly back from q
classically shaped forehead. The lapels
of his faultless frockcoat allowed a small
display of white shirt front and collar
adorned with awhile tie. In impassioned
tones he referred to the nobility displayed
in the character of Christ in Offering up
Himself sacrifice for sinful world. The
minister's language was ornate; his deliv-
cry was simply superb. There was ring
in his musical voice reminding me OF
Booth.
He made few gestures. There was nc
attempt to sway his audience by loud
tones or reference to sensational topics
Yet the attention of the large audience
was riveted upon the speaker. Only once
did he rear his right hand aloft. Then
closing his eyes and pointing to the imag
mary spectacle of the Son of God dying
upon the cross while the face of His
Father was hidden from Him, as the most
shining example of faith in darkness, he
asked if it wasn't something more than a
mere spectacle. The gesture itself ap
preached sublimity.
His allusion to the combination OF
strength and gentleness as the ideal
climax of mans character peculiarly in.
terested me-