The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-18
TWO EOrABLE SERVICES.
One at TaImage's and the other at st.
Andrews Cathedral.
Decamber 18th
Editor Times:


Editor Times:
went to church twice yesterday
which T confess, is more than I usually
do on Sundays but certainly not more
than I would do every Sabbath, If j
could be assured Of getting therefrom as
much real benefit and pleasure as / did
from these two services.
In the morning 7 heard the great Tai
mage i'm his great Brooklyn tabernacle,
and was so much impressed that, at the
risk of boring your readers with relig-
ious article. 7 want to describe very
briefly what I saw. The church was
filled with probably 1000 people nearly
one-half of whom were visitors The
immense organ occupying the entire end
Of the building almost shook IL with its
volume Of sound, and accompanied with
the music Of the cornet and the voices
Of the multitude afforded the grandcst
possible Church music Every man
woman and child In the house sang. and
they sang with all their might The ser
vice throughout was intended for ALL
The sermon, pathetic, strong, simple and
earnest; free from dogmas and tenets.
practical and encouraging, was suited TO
all capacities, young and old. It's broad
catholicity and liberality and popular
form Of the exercises, must Of necessity
under the influence Of religious teach
ing.
Mr.. Talmage IS handicapped by a sharp,
unmusical voice; by about as homely
face as you often meet; by very little
grace Of gesture and movement; yet by
sheer force Of intellect and by his earnest
Christian efforts he has an audience OF
thousands day after day and year after
year. The service began at exactly 1890
very often made Of tedious and protracted
church service was entirely unapplicable
TO this one-indeed. I think the majority
Of the vast audience would have been
glad to stay longer. They We're In the
condition Of the man who makes il a
rule always TO leave the table with
slight appetite-he is pretty sure TO come
to the next meal with an appetite.
In the evening 7 attended S.. Andrews
Episcopal cathedral IN Philadelphia. Just
as I'm Talmage's church, [ saw here the
great efforts being made TO reach the peo-
Dle by popularizing the church's work
and efforts so as TO bring the people
under its ministrauons. But just think
of it, Part Of the service was almost
like a Sunday night concert-in staid old
PHILADELPHIA, in staid old St Andrews
cathedral a dozen set pieces, sung by
200 voices; invitations sent 10 ali the
hotels; free seats advertised and every
body invited. No tickets sold, Of course,
but the whole proceeding struck me as
new departure and a most commendable
one.
The rendition OF n dozen beautiful Sc
lecticns from sacred music by the organ
and 200 trained voices was charming. Let
me o,iote from the programme a little, or
you won't believe me:
mime. Lizzie MacNickol-Vetta, the
great contraltO."
"Between 100 and 200 voices"
"How Lovely are the Messengers Men
delssohn)."
'Nunc Dimittis, IN c." SC.
The church was. Of course, crowded.
Every seat, every aisle packed with nun
dreds standing through the entire service.
Not an inch Of unoccupied room any
where IN the church. and hundreds not
able 10 get In
The preaching OF the great Or. Nc
Wicker was simply grand, but II struck
me most forcibly on account OF its SIM
plicitv and its entire freedom from al
ostentation, and it's adaptability TO the
present times. 1t was entirely extempore
In both services and that Of DR.. Nc
Vicker's was very noticeable for it's plain,
simple style OF delivery and earnestness
of manner PROFESSIONALLY, there Is
strong disposition to get OUT OF the ruIS
and to preach and act broad-sauseu
Christianity, liberal in It's teachings, but
much more comprehensive in its prac-
teal working. and adapted 70 present
condition of society and the crowded con-
dition Of the cities.
The people have got to be reached by
some instrumentalities. The idea Is that
the church members ought to be able 10
take care Of themselves TO a certain ex-
tent and "the war must be carried into
Africa" And the much derided ana per-
secuted Salvation Army are preaching
new Gospel or rather true development
OF the old Gospel. viz: crusade Tor the
salvation OF the body as well as the soul.
The scores Of millions in the great cities
of the world starving. suffering untold
horrors of penury and want, must be
reached through the bodies. flrst not py
an indiscrlminate charity, which Is al
ways harmful. but by sympathy and
Kindness and needful help and co~opera-
tiop. Very uuiy, you yours,