The New York Herald Newspaper, May 10, 1869, Page 3

NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, A@isease, ana were able to avert the calamity. Visitors | out to preach the gospel, instead of staying at home E Li G | (@) are cant ‘by the society, who are busy | secking culture and money. It wasonly an imper- te | all the time ‘out the cases which come | fect idea of wi kept many men av for aid, and in carrying benefactions to the aged, home, wen come merely a choice between oie erage of 138,000 copies fhe advocate erend and Jonas Carts sing, sppeat or ine ne. and Guardian, , and 1,250 annual re- Work, upon all todo that which God had Highly Interesting Services in New York and Brooklyn Yesterday. visions. The, "$ report shows an expendl- ture of $49,147 12, and a balance on hana at the cow of fiscal year, January 1, 1869, of 1,014 18, This amount, however, has been largely ‘since January, for current and buildin: vury. by the children, with solo and Eddy, of Brooklyn, delivered the auniversary sermon, taking for his text tne words, “Help those women,” from tae 3d verse of the 4th chapter of St, Paul's letter to the Pnuloplane The reverend doctor spoke in strong terms of the agita- tors for women’s rights, who Wouid undermine the Chrisuan family charge Christianity wita having degraded women. He repelled the charge, and gave a historical account of how womanhood was ele- vated In the workd through Curetanity. He spoke in rather too strong terms for an audience of cuil- dren of the ‘social evil,” and of the causes which Jed to its increase, of the poverty and want which drives many a unfortunate into the embrace of vice. He spoke of the poor being driven from the churches; that an exodus from the pews would ensue if the id and ragged were to come into worship with them, He spoke of the industrial -ayetem ‘of the country, making the rich richer ad the poor poorer; that the middle classes are vanish- jog, and the city will be one of the very rich and tue’ very poor, and the later outnomber the first; yet the city is governed by universal suilrage. The poor may not come to the churches till they do so in riot, crying out, “Down with the aristocracy. Give us bread?” He concluded with eulogizing the beneficent working of the society. Aiter anotier hymn, aad with the benediction, the services ended. AMERICAN HORE WISSIONATY SOCIETY. Sermon by Rev. Dr. Storrs. Last evening at the Broadway Tabernacle, corner of Thirty-fourth street and Sixth avenue, Rev. Dr. R.S. Storrs, of the Church of the Pilgrims, preached the anniversary sermon before the American Home Missionary Society. He vook for his text John xil., 82, 33:—“And J, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men with me. This He said signifying what death He should die.” After explaining the circumstances under which the words of the text were spoken and the construction put upon them by those who heard them the preacher proceeded to answer the question whic he himself pro- pounded, * id Christ die?” Not because He could not have avoided it by fis sagacity if He had chosen to. He knew what was in the minds of men, He knew their thoughts before they were expressed upon the lips or glanced in the eye. He knew before- hand that death was intended. Not only that, He knew the mode in which it was to be inflicted, the Knowledge of which cast a shadow over His pre- ceding life. He was preparing the minds of His disciples, so that when it came they might not be overwhelmed. Why, then, did he not avoidit? He might have done 80 by going outof Jerusalem by some other gate or by not going to Gethsemane. He might have escaj it by sunply going from the garden down to the Valley of the Kedron into one of the tombs, where those intent upon His life expected to find Him. Why did He not avoid death when He might so easily have done it? Jt was not because He could not have resisted it by His power. Every natural law gave way before the onset of His irresistible mind. He might have re- sisted it by making himself mvisibie to his pursurers. He had often made himself invisible before. Why did He not strike them dead? All power was in His hands todoit. Why did He not resist before the council? Why not refuse at the last moment, when condemned to carry the cross? Every ons knows that if de had simply refi to walk along the street bearing the cross, not the legions then gathered at Jerusalem, not all the legions of Rome if they had been summoned from the ends of the earth could have compelied the Lordto bear the cross up to Calvary, Why did ienot resist? Withali His power why did Hesubmit to this death? ‘There was no moral necessity for death than there was physical. He wi Witnout sin, He did not die because he was a sinner; not because he could not avoid it. Why then ‘Yo furnish an example to his followers in their dying hours. So it is often said; to which it must be answered it was not. He died voluntarily. You and 1, said the preacher, have no right to die voluntarily. If his death was an example merely, and not a sac- rifice, ib was a suicide, Was it that he might reveal his character? He did notdo it, 1f that was the end of his agony. Was it that he might seal his instruc- tions by his death and make them more impressive to his disciples? He did not do that; fer never avere instructions given that needed less any such argu- ment. ‘their characteristic is their self-evidence, the fact that they appeal directly to the reason and the moral sense. They no more needed to be ilius- trated, or proved or enforced by his death than the THE ANNIVERSARIES, The Preshyterian Board of Foreign Missions. the New York Bible Society, the Ameri- ean Seanien’s Friends’ Society, the American Female Guardian Society, ke, Divine Worship in New York State, the Distriet_ of Columbia, Connecticut and New Jersey. ‘The brigus summer's sun of yesterday had a won- erful effect on the attendance at nearly all the metropolitan and Brooklyn churches, and the congregations were large and correspondingly fashionable and brilliant. The May anniversary commemorations, which take place this week, were inaugurated at a number of the churches andthe proceedings were of the usual interesting character. In addition to these the regular Sabbath exercises were of more than ordinary interest at other places of worship, and attractive themes were ably dis- cussed by some of our most eloquent divines, as will be seen oy the reports, subjomed, of the most interesting services. ANNIVERSARY SERVICES IN THIS CITY. THE NEW YORK BIBLE SOCIETY. Commemorative Services of Its Forty-Fifth Anniversary. The Central Methodist Episcopal church on Seventh avenue, near Fourteenth street, was filled last eve- ning by an intelligent congregation to take part in the. commemoration of the forty-fifth anniversary of the New York Bible Society. Jonn E. Parsons, Pre- sident of the Society, presided. The exercises were prefaced by singing and prayer, after which S. Hastings Grant, corresponding secretary, presented the annual report, embodying the operations of the society for the year just ended. The duties of this society were systematic visitation by its agents, men faithful as Christians and of long experience, of every house in the entire city, for the dissemination of the Bibie. ‘fo accomplish this the city was divided into sections, and not a family escaped the benevolent designs of these labor-loving ser- vants, Other faithful ministers were assigned another duty, comprising like visitations avout the metropolis of public institutions, both humane and criminal, all vessels m port and all mull- tary posts in the harbor. In the recital of this great work were many incidents of a startling nature nar- rated regarding the professed enmity of portions of the population regarding the perusal of the Scrip- tures or allowing copies of either the Old or New ‘Testaments in their residences. ‘The details of the society’s work for the year were thus summarized:—Number of families vigited, 46,972, of which 6,293 were found destitute of the Bible and 2,889 supped by gift or sale, leaving 3,904 that refused it or were leit unsupplied for cause; number of volumes furnished families and indivi- duals, 9,099; hotels and engine houses, 594; Sunday schools, 4,304; public institutions, 1,864; emigrants, 18,699; military posts, 740, The Marine Committee have supplied seamen on shore 4,435 volumes, and placed 15,000 Testaments, printed in English, Ger- man, Welch, French and Italian, on poard 456 emi- grant ships, of which 247 of tnese sailed for Conti- nental ports and 209 for ports in Great Britain and Irejand,Sixty-three newvesseis were visited,of which 28 were steamers, who received the Bible in large print as permanent supplies for their cabins. Again, 140 vessels bound on long voyages and 89 from for- eign ports, embracing F rench, Spanish, Portuguese | sunshine needs to be gilded to make it bright. Why, and Italian, were carefully visited ana supplied, | then, did he die? Blessed be God, the cripeures and also were 769 American vessels bound to Catho- | furnish an answer final and satisfactory. He died, epee Diakiog a on pmber ee Meare frat, that by dying he might make atonement for plea “with 20,777 *volames, besides, 3,704 juman sin; that he who been under condemna- tion might be free from condemnation and justified before Goa as if he had never sinned at all. You know all the forms of speech by which the Scripture sets forth His deati “He died the just for the unjust that He might bi volumes soid at the office of the society 1o seamen and others for $2,061 75. The total distribution of the society for the twelve months has been the cir- culation of 10,391 Bibles, 54,423 New Testaments, arts of the Bible, and 65,841 volumes, at a s 1,027 Him our debt is paid;” “By His blood we are cleansed cost of $14,805 40, The entire receipts for the given | from all sin.” The fact mands revealed in Scripture tume have been $24,197 71, against $24,810 67 for the | that Christ dled to make an atonement. ‘There is previous year. no other explanation of His death possible; no otner Following this report Rev. Dr. Thomas 8. Has- Ungs, of the Forty-second street Presbyterian church, delivered an address replete with enc Aae words, regarding the society’s operations. He sai that it was dificult to recognize this child of the American Bible Soctety from the parent itself. The American had a broad constituency, wide as the world, while the New york society was more espect- ally a domestic institution, its work more definite and limited; it was a home body, stemming the ever fresh and extending destitution of this vast city. He referred to the stratifications of our society, that it bad nothing im common; likened New York to a mighty filter through which was received the thou- sands of emigrants from all portions of the worid, and where the intelligent, better class of these ‘wanderers left the city to seek homes and fortunes 4m the vast country near the Rocky Mountains, wile the scum, the worst element, the rest, the least thrifty and least hopeful stop here, and then comes wretchedness. In large cities hamanity does its very Worst and best; in such are two great forces—life and literature; life below a certain level has no literature, lift it and it must follow. The two great incarnations of God, as developed in life and literature, pass side by side and shake the earth. These, with many more excellent ideas were touched upon, from which the reverend gentleman at last deduced words of praise for the Bibie Society in its vast work. Other addresses were made by the Rev, that can stand the test of searching inquiry. Having made the atonement He died that He might rise again, as an evidence of the rising of all mankind from the grave. He died that, having made an atonement for sin by death and risen again and ascended into heaven, He might send forth the Holy Ghost. It is with reason that the death of Christ is more celebrated ana more honored than His birth. The preacher closed his long and eloquent sermon with a few words of application to the work of the society whose anniversary they were met to cele- brate. Now that the great hignway from the Atlantic to the Pacific 1s completed, and new life given to every materiai interest, the society should redouble their efforts to carry the Gospel to every community in the land, and make the truth felt in every heart why Christ died. PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS. Services at the First Presbyterian Church. Services in connection with the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions were celebrated last night at the First Presbyterian church, corner of Fiith avenue and Twelfth street. The church was well filled in every part. The opening services, which were in the form usual among Presbyterians, were conducted by the Rev. Dr. W. M. Paxton, the William N. McVicar, of the Holy Trinity church, tae Te fhe Af er wt Ng of Lod Trinity | pastor of the church. Previous to the sermon a jethodist Ep! church of this city, when wit! the Doxology and Benediction the large COR ms brief report of the operations of the Board during the past year was read. It commenced with thanks to the almighty for His goodness during the year, and for the evidences which had been vouch- safed of God's presence and power, and the many tokens of His providential care to the agents of the society. The report then spoke briefly of the operations of the missionaries among the Chinese in California, the Romanists in Brazil and Liberia, Western Africa, Japan, China, Siam and other por- tions of the globe where stations had been estab- lished, Tae had during the past year doing its work in different places eighty-three missionaries, thirteen native preachers, eighty-six assistant mis- sionaries and 193 native helpers. There were forty- eight churches connected with the various missions, wich reported 1,836 communicants. Schools liad been organized in various localities, reporting an at- tendance of 7,400 children, among whom several pro- feased to have been converted to the trath. During the year two of the society's missionaries had di one connected with the Indian mission and the sec- ond with that in Liberia, The expenses of the Board had been in excess of the receipts so much as tion dispersed. AMERICAN FEMALE GUARDIAN SOCIETY, Thirty-ffth Anniversary at the Fourth Presbyterian Church=The Annual Report— Sermon by Rev. Dr. Eddy. ‘The American Female Guardian Society and Home for the Friendiess, under the presidency of Mrs. C. ‘W. Hawkins, celebrated its thirty-fifth anniversary at the Fourth Presbyterian church, on Thirty-fourth street, just west of Sixth avenue, yesterday even- ing, the services commencing precisely at half-past seven o'clock. Inthe middie row of pews was @ large number of children, all under the care and tutelage of the ladies of the society. Of these there were thirty-six from Home school No. 2, located now on West Fortieth street, but soon to be transferred to the Kose Memorial chapel, now in to leave a balance of $5,300 against the society. e course of erection on Forty-first street, between ix had been one of markea a ge the debt of Enghth and Ninth avenues; forty-five children from ie preceding year havi juced, a fact Home school No. 1, located at No. 20 East | which was due to a legacy left to the Board, without ‘Twenty-ninth and sixty from Hi which the debt for the past year would have reached $73,000, The report concluded with the statement that more mnat be done for the Board at home or less would have to be done by it abroad, After the reading of the report the Rev. Dr. Thayer, of mownors Be i preached asermon., The reverend gentleman ‘as his text the thirty-seventh verse of the ninth chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel—"The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.” ‘The preacher, a few introductory remarks, pro- ceeded virtually as follows:—The harvest of men was bg Re The world was to be brought to Jesus Christ—the whole world and notning less, for the Lord contemplated ail mankind, and in- tended Me a! to be the faith of our entire race. To tink converting the heathen world from its false religions, the growth of centuries and of universal prevalen nd in place thereof to build up the truth of Chfistianity, was sometuing so over waetming, that some persons could be found who would deny the probability of accomplishing the work. If Christians accepted the revelations of Christ, however, they must do so unconditionally, and must accept His orders, one of which was the whole above the parts. That Christianity should ve a world religion Was ® natural consequence, from the fact that the Saviour of men gave His life for the word. Only as a world religion could Christianity preserve its identity, and once give ¥ this truth it woula lose all ite granaear, ne national element in the Christian Church predominated too much and gave an opportanity to unbelievers to scotf and ridicule. This element im the Church weakened the progres- sive power of Christianity. The Church could only progress by conquest, and when it lost its aggressive | md the gospel was not the same as it was at the street, jome school No. 6, at No, 244 West Thirty-thira Sop ad Fighth avenue. These are all industrial is. ‘There were also present six! mates of the Home of the ‘eas, Twenty-ninth street, mak! im all 207 children in attendance. After prayer by the Rev. Dr. John Thompson, the pastor of the church, the children, accompanied by the co! tion, sang a hymn very creditably, whereupon Kev. Dr. Dowling read an abstract of the annual report of the lady managers of the society. He prefaced the reading of the re- port with some historical remarks, referring to the small beginning of the eg when he first knew 1t tn 1836, and aiso when he delivered the anniver- fsary,sermon in 1847, twenty-two years ago. He has since been a member of the Advisory Committee, and he could testify that the ladies managed the in- stitution with such wisdom and tact as it could be done by men experienced in business and real estate ions. From the report it appeared that during the year 227 adults and 452 children, 679 pergons in all, have been sheltered in the Home. These have receive, for longer or shorter periods, sustenance and care end afterwards janent pro- vision suiied to their 6 and capacities. Une hun- dred and fifty of the little ones have been adopted into Christian homes, and 199 of the adults admitted have been furnished with employment tn good situa- tions. The daily applicants for temporary relief or work are mych more numerous. Not less than 1,000 women have been furnished through the aid of the wociely with places removed from danger, and where they earn their living in comfort and resnecta- bility, One thousand six hundred and fifty loaves of have been cistributed to applicants tor charity, and many a warm, satisfying dinner and comfortable garment has dealt out to the iret. The recollection that Christianity was a hungry and half clad, Ali classes of society, | world religion would be the means of preserviny all pheses of earthly want and suflerime, | the simplicity and parity of the gospel. Forgetful- have been represented from month to month | ness of this truth was cercain to ve followed by sec- amo the applicants. The Home industrial | tional controversies. This was & matter of history schools are nine in number. In these | and vould not be wondered at. Christianity required there is an average daily attendance of about 1,300 | the consecration of sell, and nothing but the most per- children, Who are fed, clothed and taught; the epure Humber of children ebrolied is 4,132. "Fo. feed ‘loess Hittie ones 42,000 loaves of bread have been furnished by the institution. In February, one of the schools ‘was imfected with the smallpox. The Board of Heaith were notided, and a large number the chil- = were found unprotected by; nation, fect idea of Christianity could bring tuts spirit into the Church of Christ. Churches, like men, must die of plethora, and the disease would set in unless Christianity ware recognized a8 & world religion, Society was galning upon the churches, a fact which also arose from this fauity idea of the nature of the religion of Christ, vy. ing the school register, the physicians visited Dr. Thayer, in @} ing the subject, reminded his those absent, They thus gained access to @ portion | hearers tia fa uy merchants and many mechanics crowd. | ougnt to that in all ot the city iarly Hable, on account of ite Hon ar oa aud Bitby conditjou, to the revages of maby of wis he ‘ought thie Of bis hearers ought to have goye calling wen them the power to periorm, in order to send he gospel all over the world and to hasten the day when all mea should know the Lord aud experience his salvation, MISCELLANEOUS RELIGIOUS SERVICES IN 1miS CITY. ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL, Sermon by the Right Rev, Dr, Git, ‘The cathedral was yesterday filled by a large con- gregation, the weather being dehghtful in every respect. High mass commenced at half-past ten o'clock, the Rev. Dr. McSweeny oMlciatung as cele~ brant, attended by several assistants, Archbishop McCloskey, with the Very Rev, Dr. Starrs, V. ( and the Kev. Mr. McVerney, were present during the ceremonies, At the termination of the first gospel the Right Rev. Dr. Gill, of Richmond, preached a sermon, taking his text from the gospel of the day. He said we were reminded by the Saviour to take possession. to wnich he invited ail his tollowers. We knew how short our sojourn in this world, and how many tae troub!es wich vex our lives here; yet there Was extreme consolation in the thought that there was one who hud gone to prepare for us a better world, Waere with Him we nughc not only possess immoriaiity but eternity. it was therejore necessury not to be entirely taken up with the things: cl this World; and there bemg no opportunity of salisiying the cravings of our souls for happiness wile in this life, we should lt up our iminds to that country which Christ had promsed to tose who believe the truths of God, Man hai capacity to know and believe the truths of God and to obey His commandments. Man was the most dependent of all creatures; he must depend on lus feliow man, upon society and upon humanity, And in coa- sequence of the transgressions of our first parents society was less fitted tor the transiission of truth, There was nothing absolute without existence. God had absolute existence, and hence He took the name of truth, We were assured that God Was truth. Whatever was the creation of God, whatever He has called into existence was also trath, The law of God, tov, Was truth, and it was thereiore necessary 10r man to know trath. How was he to know it? He seeks to find it in himself or his fellow men. God himself maae known the truths. He conveyed them unto men. But after those truths ad become known to man they were not handed down from father to son, for society became uniitted to do 80 because of the corruption which prevailed. What means were then devised by which to know the truth? God intended that His trutits should shine for all, and with that object employed external means, 80 that it might be for the benetit of all. ‘Phis required that it shoald be entrusted to a hier- archy, or guardian, in order that it might be pre- served in its purity, God was content to propose His truth in revelations, but it was clear that the manifestations were particularly intended for a special people entrusted with a mission. But tt was desirous that those truths should be extended to all, so that they would be enabled to live forever. Years rolied by and Christ came to earth, The truth was then placed in this world. It was made external 80 that men’s eyes might behold the proois, In the midst of all His manifestations the truth of God be- came visible, and it was umposaible to behold those proofs without bemg convinced of the truth. By those manifestations Christ, coming from heaven and assuming human nature, mtended that men should believe the traths as they beheld then He established a society to whom he entrusted those truths in order that they might be made manifest and spread throughout the world. Now that society Was not an organization that men could make by human laws, but something far superior, ‘That or- ganization was abody of men establisied by Jesus Christ, .the wonderful way in which that body was formed was by being baptized in one fold. His body was united, and it was intended py the organization to place the truth in an external way in order that at any time and in every place it might be possible for men to know and ‘believe 1t. Moreover, that body was commis- sioned to go forth and preach to all nations pari or out the world. In that organization, of which He was the living head, He placed the possesston of His word, and together with giving that He promised success. He desired that such a society should ex- tend itself throughout the earth. The very reverend gentleman then proceeded at considerable length to dilate upon the mission of the apostles, explaining the authority imparted to tnem. He alluded to the foundation of the Church of Christ and the promises held forth in regard to itstriumph. Men saw the promises of Christ fulfilled. The Church would survive every attempt made against it by the world, because of the promises of Christ. It was necessary to have humility in order to recetve the faith. Men must be humble when tiey desire to know the truths of God which were to be found only in His Church. Altera very elaborate ana eloquent dis- course the Right Rev. Dr. Gill conciuded by saying tat tie subject was appropriate at the present time, when was celebrated the ascent of the Saviour into heaven, whither he had invited the faithtul. He had prepared that place for all who obeyed the truths, for he said, “I am with you, the way and the light.’? Clyist himself had marked out the way, in whicn shouid be practised humility, self-denial, carrying the cross, denying the passions and subjecting them to the laws of God. By so doing the faitnful would one day assemble and live for all eternity. The ser- mon was listened to with devout attention, and at its conclusion the ceremonies were proceeded with, ‘The ceremonies did not terminate tll one o'clock, CHURCH OF THE DIVINE PATERNITY, Solomon’s Temple and the Pacific Railroad— Sermon by Rev. Dr. Chapin. Rev. Dr. Chapin, after several weeks’ illness, re- sumed his ministeria! functions in his church yester- day morning. The gental sunshine of the day drew thither a large number of the rank, beauty and fash- ion of the Fifth avenue, and the church was well filled. The preacher took his text from the First Book of Kings, sixth chapter and seventn verse:— “so that there was neither hammer, nor axe, nor any tool of iron heard im the house while it was in building.” The preacher said the house alluded to in the text was the temple built by Solomon, | It ap- ared that the materials for that great work had all n shaped and prepared for putting together be- fore they were brougitt to the spot where the temple was to stand, The tumult of the labor having been left to the forest and the quarry, that glorious structure rose in silence. There was some- thing peculiarly impressive in that magnificent (ler of architecture rising thus—beam uniting with beam and stone growing to stone without a trip or jar or any sign of workinanship, unti! it stood forth the competed temple of the living God. But that idea of building. and of butiding in silence, was also very suggestive, and as some of its suggestions ‘were appropriate to that occasion, he now proposed to call their attention vo them. There were other structures than temples which were built up, and were really built up without hammer or axe or tool of iron. He asked them to consider the oldest tem- ple of all, that in which all earthiy and visible tem- les are contained, the great temple of nature. hat vast process, What euormous work was per- petuaily going on there! And yet how much ot it was done in silence, Sometimes there occurred a shock, the torrent poured or the vol- cano burst. There might be an earthquake by which the rock was looseued from the mountain side and rolled tumbling down, aud every now and then the stillness of the forest might be startled by the fall of some majestic tree; but how silent was the working of the great whole. Let them watch the great constructive and conservative course of the universe, and they would find there wag no din of labor, no sound of hammer or axe or anything in the building of thus great house, where God works continually, With what gentleness seas subside. How calmly the celestial nosts tuifill their missions, es working and accomplishing cycles that Wilder human mind. Consider the numerous transformations now going on around us in the pro- cess of the 8] season, but especially for one who for some time has, by disease and weakness, been shut in from the free light and air. To such @ one, on firat going forth, the glorious season of the spring awakens the delight and wonder of a resh creation. To-day the worid 1s changed. The leaves put forth their first beautiful [ erent the sea is stirring with its mysterious developments, and all the womb of nature groans with mighty life. Was this not also suggestive of the effect of the reatest works of individuals that the more tremen- jous forces were stient? What a contrast was that to man’s feverish and sounding endeavors, Should we recognize relation only in one form? ere there those tuat could discern the word of God oniy in religion? Man was likewise @ tempie of divine worship. That also was bullt up silently. Let each one ask What was the purpose of that remple of the human body. The answer would be, Not to be the abode of a discordant or rebellious spirit, bat to be the abiding place of the Infinite Spirit. The mightiest influences to construct huinan character were secret and silent influences, There was aiso a process for butlding national character which was sure to tell on humanity, which was to contain de- velopments of the future which no u could see, We had been building national char: r, certainly not without the noise of the hammer and ite axe, and tools of iron; and it was a wondertul achieve. ment to consider in what a short space of time that mighty change was caused, How marvellously States had sprung up inthe far off homes of the savage. We tad built up our nationality upon sactticial bones, and cemented it with the blood of heroic inen. Here, Woo, there was an tnaer tempie, Nationality did not consist in mate things; not In wealti or territory, or in its political expressions or name, ‘the evidences of nationality were character, moral force, love und honesty, and these were tife essentials of humanity, How was it with us in reference to fain, to justice, to truth and purity? Were we as & people possessed of any or ali of these? Were our men and worren purer, holier and stronger tn virtue than formerly? Or were they really, as they seemed to be, more Wicked and declining? He did not stop to answer that question. He only indicated what constituted nationality and virtue. But, let him say, tha t to-day a great work stood completed—a work that bound the Continent together in a great bond of iron, Certainly that work had not been accom: piished without the sound of hammers or axes, or tools of iron, but by ail the energies of the splendid mechanism of our time. We might express our admiration for that material achievement which have crowned with the crown of civilization the waste agd solitary spots of our Contingnt, He MAY 10, 1869.—TRIPLE SHEET. might speak of its political power, its commercial but no one could tell anything of what the great future with this powerful key was to uo- lock. The real greatness of that achievement, after all, might be a greatness that would gradually dawn upon us ia silence. The preacher conciuded by opserving that the Pacific Railroad might be the ineans greatly advancing the region of Jesus Christ, if the opportunities it aifordea were properly availed of. Lf not, it might have a tendency to add to the materialistic spirit of the age. COLLEGIATE REFORMED DUTCH CKURCH. flermon by the Rev. T. L. Cayler, D. D.» in Aid of the American Seamen’s Friend So- clety. The Rev. T. L. Cuyler, D, D., preached last even- ang in ald of the American Seamen’s Friend So- ciety, before a large congregation, at the Collegiate Reformed Duwh church, Fifth avenue, corner of Twenty-ninth street, The text was Acts XXvil., 24 The Bible, the reverend gentlemen sald, contained no narrative of a navigator, except it may be that of Noah, but the voyage of Paul from Rome to Melita (now called Malta), in the Medttterranean, whither he was sent as a prisouer, constitutes one of the most interesting narrations recorded in the sacred book. The preacher thea proceeded to de- scribe in a very graplic manner the apostle’s sea journey to his place of banishment, the calling of the ship at Cyprus and the jong aad stormy voyage over the sea of Cilicia ana Pr iyiia to Myra, in Lycia; the hardships that beiel! the passengers from hunger‘and sickness; the nobte hero'sm of the Christian martyr; his address, assuring that none on board should perish, and the final shipwreck of the vessel and the providential es ape of all the voyagers, The lesson to be derived duct of the great Apostie, as exemplified urying voyage, is retiance on the power and that faith which never fails to sustain tue Christian heart. Abide tn the ship and ye shall be saved. We must work out our salvation im fear and trembling, not by depending on any mysterious agency of the Almigaty, vut by aw strong and steadtast belief in Jesus. Obey God, comply with the conditions He requires, and tis mm mutable decree is that he who believes shail be saved, and he who does not shall be damned. We are also reminded by the story of St. Paul of the perils which beset a life on the ocean wa How sad, how touchingly and terribly sad, is the expe- rience of those who go down to the sea in ships. ‘Tnere 1s not a league from Sandy Hook to Key West that is not strewn with wrecks. A moment's con- templation of the lonely and desolate and toiling lie of the poor sailor is enough to excite our sym- pathy for him. But he deserves more than our sympathy, which Is our prayers and the boon of eternal glory. Yet what do we see. ‘The moment the poor tempest-tossed and weather-worn sailor lands ata port and there is avampire lurking in his way. In every grog shop, in every brothei and dance house lurks she whose sting is the sting of the scor- pion, The sharks of the deep are less remorseless than they. Wherever he goes there opens before him a gateway to perdition, The reverend gentle- man concluded his very impressive discourse by appealing to his congregation vo lend a helping hand to aid the good old seamen’s society, tnan wich there could be no more Christian or worthy object, RELIGIOUS SERVICES IN BROOKLYN. PLYMIUTH CHUACH. Man’s Relationship with the Natural Laws. The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher preached a very in- structive sermon yesterday morning to a congrega- tion which not only filled the church inside in every part, but that stretched back to the entrance doors, front and rear. He took for his text the twenty-fifth verse of the sixth chapter of the Gospel of St. Mat- thew:—“Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the lie more than meat and the body than raiment?” i ‘The Lord’s question was not put spiritually, but, nevertheiess, it was exquisitely spiritual. The Master laid down in this twenty-tifth verse “take no thought for your life; is not the lie more than meat and the body than raiment? ‘This briely argued, urst, from the trinsic superiority of the spirit or soul, that, for the gratification of material surround- lugs, Man ought not to sacritice the soul’s happiness to any material good. The soul's quiet and hap pie ness were of more vaiue than the condition of the body, and, therefore, the higher happiness ought not to be sacrificed to please the material senses. More- over, it 43 needless, Masmuch as all men stand in such’ an order of nature as to be supplied in all mate- rial things by & moderate exertion of the powers with which they are born. God has provided tor all created beings. Manis more valued in the sight of God than ail other portions of creation, Even the birds and, lower still, the flowers are pro- vided for by the ‘eat Creator himeelf. Tne birds know how to build their nests; the flowers donot. The birds provide for their material wants ‘and needs; the flowers do not, and yet God heeds one as much as the other—givring one wings and plumage to enable them to provide for themseives,and xy ‘robes the other, providing for them by natu- laws. ample to provide abundantly for ail created things. laws all their requirements; and was not man muca companionship and sympathy with God, and, there- fore, less likely to be negiected by Him. But man pays little heed to those natural laws on which Provi- dence dispiays His great care and love for man. Man, from neglecting to make himself conversant ‘with natural laws, fa'ls under the dread of phan‘asmns and imaginings oi things that have no existence. Man therefore suifers more from things that have no ex- istence than from realities. The pain inflicted by the executioner is not half so poignantas the thought that the axe may smite. Bankruptcy is not naif so hard to bear when it comes as the thoaght or dread that it may come. Sickness is not half so unendu- rable as tue apprehension of sickness. Lhe man of lively imagination and Vs jt erness, and with faculties .of thought, bright it is a-touishing how he will fill the air—the future, that bunting ground of thought, with — those phantasms and imaginings. ‘Truly the great poes saith, “Present ills are less than horribie im- aginings.”” Man in this fails to trust to nataral laws. Long before it rains the thunder cloud threat - ens; it comes up in the summer time a biack, por- tentous cloud, all full of mighty storm, ready to ‘burst upon the earth, and man trembles with fear and apprehension, Ina moment the cloud passes away; all danger gone; not & drop of rainjaas fallen to the ground. But though the cloui and the threatened danger have passed away man forgets to draw wisdom m this natural law. So things that he thought existed and threatened him evii, that disturbed his sleep, whirling them round in eddies of thought, pass away, clearing the atmos- here of mind, but leaving no wisdom to direct hem in the future. given to trouble like the weeping trees that grow with a downward tendency; if you attempt to make them straight you break them. So you may say of a great many peo- ple; they are never happy except when they are iniserable, It 1s the habit of man to get unduly elated in prosperity, and unduly depressed in adver- sity. Men are all atheists when they are afraid, Fears and anxieties destroy the ibility of men using either tneir reason or their moral seuse. Pain and suffering aud anxiety take from men that courage that comes from @ divine and special providence. “Where is now thy God?” saith he scoft-r. “There is no God,” saith the atheist. [tis confidence in his own power that gives man confi- dence; when he loses confidence he fails in ail his undertakings. It 18 then he fo1 the natural law which provides for the birds and the flowers, which are so much less than he in the scale of creation; he forgets to put his trast in that God that rules the universe and orders all things right. The reverend | ohare ard concluded with an eloquent appeal to his carers to put their trast in G while they at the same time obeyed those natural and moral laws — by God for the good government of the wor! CHRIST CHURCH. Fourteenth Anniversary Sermon by Dr. Partridge. ‘The Rev. Dr. Partridge, rector of Christ church, Bedford avenue, Williamsburg, preached his four- teenth anniversary sermon yesterday. The sermon was an eloquent and earnest one, abounding in touching illustrations ana chaste and elegant lan- guage. His text was the remarkable interrogatory of the prophet Nehemiah, “Why should the work cease?” He said that no work should cease until it had accomplished God's good will. While the prophet Nehemiah was engaged in rebuilding the dilapidated walls of Zion he encountered open and subtle opposition, but under the guidance of Jehovah he continued, asking “Why shoald the work cease?’ Tats was aaswered by John the Bapust on the banks of the river Jordan, by the Lord lumself tn Judea and by ali his followers during the Apostolic age, und the Church to-day ts answering it, The work of saving souls is the most glorious work that can be accomplished. This work agitates three worlds—hell, Which it !mpoverishes; heaven, which it populates; earth, which it makes rejoice. So long as there is one unsaved sinner in the world this work should not cease. If it is carried out by us m G holy way it will be a biessing to oO country; but if it cease liberty will be lost and tyranny and corruption wiil fs Nn throughout the land, He did not despat owever, for ail good men were not yet dea the worid would be purified in God's good time. was sorry that not one in ten of the Fae rae of this city regularly attended church, and tne result is that crime and error abound. It is the greatest pri- vilege of man to be permitted to work with God for the regeneration of humanity. He looked forward to the time when there would be no formalism nor idleness im the churches, Labor must be the watch- word of Zion henceforward and forever, and the time will come When ali will be brought to the feet of Jesus. God ts calling us all to the good work, and we must answer his sweet call. At the conclusion of his sermon, Dr. Partridge touchingly alinded to God's goodness to him during the fourteen years of his ministrations in Christ church. Previous to his entering it, one of its om- cers told hin that hedid not believe the con tion would be able to raise over $1,200 a vear 8 support, but during the past year over $16,000 had been raised for church purposes without the ald of outside corporations, and Within that tie God had ‘Therefore the naturai course of law 18 ‘The birds and flowers know how to get from natural better than they? Better, as being higher in the scale of creation—nearer to God, and so nearer to abled him to preach 105 sermons, and add sixty- five souls to the communion. —_—— —————ee Jersey City. In the First Presbyterian church a sermon was preached yesteraay by the pastor, Rev. Dr. Imbrie, who took his text from Hebrews, chapter x, com- mencing at the twenty-sixth verse—“For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice forsin. The Lord will judge his people, It 1s a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” The preacuer tien proceeded to discuss the crime of apostacy, and pointed @ut the distinction between Wilful sins and those colmmitted in ignorance. In order to understand tue terrible words of the apostle in regard to apostacy, it 1s oeceszary to consider the circumstances ‘under which tley were pro- nounced. ‘ne hatred of the Jews cowards the Gentiles was intense. and even to this day there 18 no one Who is more persecuted by father, mother and family than a Jew who returns to Christ. The Christians, in the days of the apostles. were heid in such a state of terror by the Jews that there were powerfui temptations to abvostacy, and Paul felt it was necessary to employ the most forcible language in order to preserve the peop.e in their faith When a man apostatizes, he re- nounces his God, and then, indeed, there is little hope of return. ‘The difference between de- liberate sins and those of ignorance were illustrated by the preacher, who adverted to severai exauipies given in Scripture. Wien Paul the Apostle was a ‘persecutor oc the Christians he was ignorant of the heinousness of his crime, When the bloodthirsty Jews stood at the foot of the cross clamormg for we lile-blood of Christ the Saviour unpiored his Father’s mercy in thelr benalf—‘Father, lorgive them, for they Know not What they do.” Had they understood that they were crucifying their God the case would have been different. And what a terrible crime do we behold in the apostacy of Peter when he denied his master. There 1s an example oi deliveration, Tat crume was great enough to sink a soul to the lowest heil. But turning to our own times, we find the danger at our very doors. In our wagazines and periodicals Christianity 18 treated as of little ac- count, and @ modification of religion is suggested. A man will be Jound to say:—“Oh, I have gone so far away that { cannot return now; 1 wonder after all if any other religion 18 a8 good as Christianity; 1 would like to hear a discussion on the merits of the digereat churcoes.”” ‘Thus the foundation 1s gradu- ally sapped, until the man finds himself in that posl- tion where he looks for Christi but cannot tind Hin, The Apostle threatened that the Lord wil juage his people, and that threat was carried out. Newark. ‘There was a large congregation at Trinity church last evening, on the occasion of the preliminary ser- vices of a delegate meeting of the Protestant Epis- copal Board of Missions, which is to be held in tis city during this and the next two days. There are to be two meetings each day—one in Trinity and the other in Grace church, or the House of Prayer. At the opening Ine-ting last evenmg Key. Dr. Haight presiaed. Besides nim there were present in we chancel Rev. Mr. Thrail, Rey. Mr. Goodwin, Kev. Mr. Stansbury and the rector, Rev. Meier Smith. After the usual evening services Dr. Haigut came forward aud stated the objects of the meeting, which, he said, was ier the purpose of furtheriug the cause of the mission work throhgli an earnest iove for Christ in Has Chureh, He thanked the rector and the con- gregation lor the countenance shown him and hs clerical colleagues, After the singing of a psalm the Rev. Dr. Rudder, rector of St. Stephen's churca, Philadelphia, ascended the preaching desk and de- livered an interesung and more than usually eloquent discourse on the subject of missionary work aud its vital relations to the interests, prosperity and relt- gious weilare of the entire continer 18 text Was the first verse of the cxxvil. psain Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” He depicted the vascuess of the American nation and said that the largest imagination was not able to predict the greatness of the future in this country. Instead of 30,000,000 we would, he thought, soon have 100,000,000 of people within our borders, Bishops Potter, of New York, aad Oden iter this diocese aré expected to be present ere the meeting close, RELIGIOUS SERVICES IN CONNECTICUT. Bridgeport. BRIDGEPORT, May 9, 1869. ‘To-day was one of the most beautiful days of the season, andthe churches were generally turonged by large and fashionable congregations, the bright and beautiful costumes of spring contrasting vividly with the sombre colors of a few weeks past. At the Baptist church, in the morning, the pastor, Rev. Mr. Hopper, preached a fine and well delivered sermon from Acts Xiii., 3s—‘David, after ne had served his own generation, fell asleep.’’ He spoke of the duty of serving and the reward that follows. God has made us to serve and im some way be useful. Some service we must perform for our age willingly or unwillingly. Society requires some service at vur hands, and we cannot escape it, The man who works for the good of the race, who advances the moral ‘and = phy- sical well-being of his fellows im any way, by wilting & book, building a machine, fouading @ chariabie:Institution or giving to the poor, in that way serves, and 1s rewarded. The speaker then alluded to the men wiio had so gen- erously helped to adorn and make pleasant the city o! Bridgeport, who had projected and laid out its beautiful parks and ocher iuiprovements, and whose public spirit and willingness to serve their generation would be a blessing to generations yet to come, and cause them to be reinemberhd as men of broad and generous haman sympathies, At the North church the Kev. Dr, Fletcher preached on the Spanish Protestant missions, taking up a collection for their benefit in the afternoon. He preacned on the same subject ia the eveaing at the South church. The Rev. 0. G. Prescott preached at to Trinity (Episcopal) church. ‘There are be special services relative to confirmation at Trinity church — every day during the resent week, At the Beaver street Methodist episcopal church there was a large attendance In the afternoon, the pastor, Rev. Mr. Carroll, ing a discourse from John iv., 45—“Say not ye there are yet four montns and then cometh harvest.” Christ always taught the doctrine of immediate results, and God will bless earnest, Constant, Christian efort. In the spiritual ‘world the field is always ready. Muss Hinman, the trance speaker, addressed the Spirttualists im the evening, and Miss Anne E. Smiti, of the Star of Hope Mission, New York, preached in Good Templars’ Hail to large audiences afternoon and evening. The attendauce ut the Catholic churches was large, a3 was also that of the Universalist church in the after- noon, New Haven. New Haven, May 9, 1869. To-day has been a beautiful May day and the churches have been filled with large congrega- tions. In the morning at the Centre church the pastor, Rev. Mr. Walker, preached a sermon from Isaiah, fifty-cighth chapter, twelfth verse. His subject was—The Work of the Gospel a Work of Repair.” He aimed to show that man’s nature, a8 designed by God, was a perfect one ‘of ite kind, but that through sin it haa m rendered imperfect and that it must be re- ape’ In the afternoon he preached further upon he subject, addressing himself to those in whom the work of repair had not been commenced. At ‘Trinity church, in the morning, Rev. Dr. Harwood preached from Mathew, first chapter, fourteenth verse. His subject was—The duty of public worship and the participation therein.’ In the evening the United Episco) service was held at the same church, when Mr. Harwood preached an interest! discourse upon the subject of Romanism, its growtl and how to meet it, At the Third Co jonal church Rev. Mr. Mather, of Amherst, preached in the morning Hebrews, eleventh chapter twenty-fourth verse, his subject bein 4 consideration of faith _as by the life of Moses. In the afternoon he preached from Matthew, twentieth chapter, twenty-eighth ‘His subject was the “Want of recognition of deeds done by those in the huimbler walks ol nd the dignity of labor.’ In the morning, at the First Methodist Episcopal church, the pastor, Rev. Mr. Waikins, preached upon the subject, “Steadfast Trust,” and in the afternoon upon the subject of “David and Goliah.” In the evening the United Men Sa service was held at the North church, and . Dr. Daggett, of the Coliege chapel, preached from the words—“And Jesus said, sinners, [have somewhat to say auto you.” His discourse was a consideration of the character of the communication whtch Christ has for every one. The College street church has given @ call w Kev. James W. Hubbell, of Milford. RELIGIOUS SERVICES IN WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON, May 9, 1869. The weather today was fine, am. the churches sping fashions and to listen to well-considered dis- courses, At St. Matthew’s Roman Catholic church the RightgRev. Dr. Vertu, Bishop of Georgia, con- ducted the services, and preached a sermon on the cent of Jesus from Mount Olivet, the words of his text being, “1 go to prepare a place for you.” The learned doctor argued that Christ had ascended to heaven for the purpose of preparing a mansion for his people, and exhort the congregation to lead lives of holiness, so that they might be ene for the regions of bliss aiter lile’s fitful fever is over. Haydn’s Mass No. 2 was per formed by the choi, and also the offertory “0 Jesu! ‘The congregation was very large and atten- tive. Rev. Professor Shate held forth in the First Bap- tist church, nis text peing “Put on Thy streng th, O Zion.” He showed that the strength of the Church consisted, first, tu her faith in Christ; second, in the piety of the lives of her members, and third, in the purity of her doctrine, He argued — that no church could be said to be strong that dented the divinity of Jesus Christ; that no body of Christians could prosper 1n a spiritual point of view whose daily lives bell ed their professions of faith, and that a corruption of the doctrines of the Church as set forth ip the Bible Worked the ruin of @ were weil filled with people anxious to display the | eee eee ee enc mapalyemsbnpoaeonso“f religions cofhmunity. The holy sacrament Pe re dayt Methodist EpIscoD The Foundry dist Episcopal chureh wes aren ag rman of aston a e Rev. Dr. 01 text was in the words “In this world ve shall have tribulation.” The sermon was gloomy, as the text indicates, but the Doctor pointed his hearers to the other where there Was no tribuiation, ‘The burden of his argument of God for heaven, hey encosim tered were so many lessons, the improvement of ‘which trained their minds to @ more tual frame and led them to the foot of the Crosz. Dr. Gibson 13 considered one of the most eloquent men of Baltimore Conterence, to which he belongs, D., from the text provides noi for his own, 3] own household, he hath dented the faith and 1s worse than an Infidel.” The Doctor showed that one of the first principles of morals as well as of religion was that every may Saou take care of his own family, and not allow ft to become a burden to others. He made some very practical remarks about the folly of young men seeking government oifices here and of men generally depending upon the government it was, he said, best bat > ant invarlabiy ended in a man losing his independence and enterprise. Rey. Dr, Hawes, of Philadelphta, preached in the First C ional church, from the text “Them that honor Me 1 will honor.” These, he said, were the words of Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord’ of lords. ‘They contained at once a promise and a threatening. Those who dishonored Christ, whether they were individuals or na- tions,’ would meet with merited punishment. It was dishonoring to Christ to disobey the mandates of His law, or to fail to recognize Him as the gover- nor of the nations. The preacher deprecated what he termed the national sins of Sabbath breaking and intemperance, both of which, he argued, were dis- honoring to Christ. There has recently been a divi- sion in this congregation on the subject of negro equality, but the church to-day was as well tilled as if uere Lad been no secession, RELIGICUS SERVICES ELSEWHERE. Newburg. Newsvrg, N. Y., May 9, 1869. The principal event of interest to-day in the rei gious circles of this city was the dedication this af- ternoon of the German Protestant church just erected, and the only church ever built in this city for the exclusive use of German worshippers. It 18 a plain brick edifice, which will seat about 400 per- sons, and cost $12,000. The dedicatory discourse was preached in English by Rev. Dr. William T, Sprole, pastor of the First Presbyterian church ot this city, and formerly chaplain at West Foint, He took for his text Matthew, fifth chapter, fourteenth verse—"Ye are the light of the worid.” The rev- erend speaker said that what the sua is to the ma- terlal world, God's ople should be to the world of mind. While it would be easy for the great God to raise our race irom the ruins in watch sin had involved it to a saving acquaintance with Himself, yet it pleases Him to em- ploy human instrumentalities in the accomplish- ment of His great purposes, The speaker proceeded to instituce a comparigon between the sun’s office and that which the people of God are called upon to periorim in this world of moral darkness. First, the sun has no light of itself, nor have God’s people any light unul they are illuminated from on Ii 3 BEC ond, God put the sun in the centre of our planetary system tor a specific purpose—namely, that 1b might give light to mature the harvest oi the husbandman und facilitate the toils of the artisan. Nothing in the whole creauon of God was made simply for itself; ulterior purposes were to be subserved; the Church was not put here to multiply heartless dogmas nor to run up the walls of partition, to keep Christ’s peoples apart, but to enlighten and cheer the world—to reach out and save perishing souls; third, the sun is the procuring cause of health, and the churen should carry the divine remedy of grace to sin-sick souls; lourth, the sun is decidedly catholic— it does not shine only for one meridian or parallel, but for the whole world, so the Church should labor for the conversion of the eutire race; selilsh- ness should have no place among the followers of Christ; ifth, the sun shines continuously. The speaker had no faith in the spasmodic religion which was very pious in church, but very worldly in the place of business—that could be found at the communion table, and yet ‘polluting the very lips that had been moistened with sacramental wine with the liquid from the cup of devils. This see-saw, hot and cold piety, consti- tuted the bane of ali true retigion, ‘The speaker concluded his able and eloquent discourse by urging his German brethren to renewed eioris in the cause of Christ and humanity. The ceremonies of dedication were conducted in German by the Rev. Mr. Kahn, pastor of the church, Poughkeepsie. POUGHKEEPSIE, May 9, 1869. This has been a charming spring day, and as a re- sult the various churches in the city have been largely attended. At tne Congregational church this morning Rev. H. Loomis, Jr. preached. He took his text from first Peter, chapter one, second verse— “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, aud sprinkling of the biood of Jesus Christ, grace unto you and peace be multipiied.’ The reverend gentleman expiained his views of the doctrines of election. He wondered why any one ‘was chosen by God to be saved. This doctrine might have answered fifty years ago, but not vow. The ser- mon was avery brief one, but some of the argu- ments were dissented to by numerous hearers, A fair congregation was in attendance at the Church of the New Jerusalem. Mr. Lewis, of triage Ba J, @ layman, preached upon the miracle of fe@ling the multitude with the five loaves and two fishes. He gave the spiritual sense of the passage as inter- preted by the law of correspondence between things natural and things spiritual, and discussed eloquent- ly upon otuer points bearing directly upon the text. At the Cannon street Methodist Episcopal church this evening Kev. E. L. Prentice preached a sermon on the origin of evil. He took his text from the sixth chapter of Ephesians, tweifth verse—*Spiritual wickedness in high places,” and the ninth ciapter Isaiah, fourteenth verse—"Refuse the evil and choose the good,” The speaker remarked that the first e leads our thofguts to the nature and origin: of evil and to wickedness in high places, while the second points to a practical choice of action. There are two views of the nature of evil—morai evil or sinning, the violation of moral law. Temptations or trials are of two kinds also—voluntary and involun- tary. When one young man induces another to enter a den of evil that temptation ts voluntary. The first temptation was involuntarily brought about by the surroundings. How did moral evil arise? was question propounded by Mr. Prentice. He sat there were but four leading opinions as to its ori- gin. The first, that it was ‘out of necessity arising out of the nature of things; the sec- ond, that there are two Gods, ome good and the other evil; the third opinion makes t fre last 0} ling, oaying that sin 13 not of God nor from God, nor ‘on the responsibility of Him does tt rest. The fourth opinion put i: down that moral evil is the result ofa voluntary abuse of the freedom of will, rational and moral agents. This opinion, he remarked, prevalis among religious people and theologians, Mil re- sin as having originated among the eaven, ‘The reverend leman remarked hat el radise on trial, instructed not to §° out of the boundaries; but they did go out, and fell without a tempter. Adam and Eve were placed in an paradise and were tempted and fell, and salvation was provided for the tempted; but it is not yet revealed that salvation was te for those who fell without having been pted. In conclusion, Mr. Prentice urged his hearers to refuse evi! and choose good. The great question is not how did sin originate, but how shall we release ourselves from it. He was very eloquent prey ait, 38 hs saihed listened to, by the Middletown. MIDDLETOWN, N. Y., May 9, 1869. ‘This has been a most delightful day, and the ser- vices at the various churches here were very largely attended. The usual mass was celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic church in the morning, the Rev. Father Andrew ae oe At Grace jEpis- copal) church “The Festival of the Ascension” was the subject of a very im} ve discourse by the Rev. Alexander Capron, rector, who took for his text—Hebrewy, vil., 24, 25. This festival, which is always observed in the Chureh, brings before us the exercises of Christ’s priestly office in heaven; therefore @ cause of continual thanksgiv At the Second Presbyterian church the Kev. Charies Beattie delivered a flue discourse in the morning, taking for his text Genesis 1. 21—"So0 God created man in his own mage, in the created He him; male and female created He The Rev. Dr. Seward, at the First Presbyterian church, preached from the tenth and eleventh verses: ‘of the second chapter of the Songs of Solomon—"My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, iny love, my fair one, and come away; for lo the winter is past, the rain is over and gone,’ in which he atiuded to the beautitul weather we are enjoying, At the First ist church the services| were conducted the Rev. W. Smith, former. ly of Chicago. The sermon in the morning was founded on Ephesians iv., 21, 22—“But ye have not so learned Christ, If so be that ye have heard Him ard been taught by Him the truth as is in Jesus,’? ‘The subject of the discourse was an answer to the question, “What is the true standard of man’s reli. gious duty!" The pres sought to enforce the josition that While human creeds were admisaibie in giving expression to our religious bellef the Word of God alone Was the first, last and only true in seeking for religious truth. In the evenn theme of the discourse was “The Gospel of Christ a Living System."’ At the Con; ‘ational church the Rev. J. A. Harvey took for his text in the morni Genesis i., 24—“And Enoch walked with God, he was not; for God took him.’’ In the evenin; he gave another of his ular lectures, he subject being “the Fraternal Relation.” These leo- tures are very largely attended and are a sub- Ject of much conversation and argument in religious circles, Mr. Harvey took for his text CXXXilL., 1—“Behold how good is for brethreh to dwell in unity.’ fraternal relation a peculiar op) pleasant ercise of the finest and iovelient feel iy aman phy ed torbearan Sand tr . Unrestrained human natire nowhere mani- fests itself as it does between brothers and the same family. ee