The New York Herald Newspaper, March 12, 1871, Page 6

6 NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY. MARCH 12, 1871.—QUADRUPLE SHEET. THE EASTERN CHUKCE Its Doctrinal Teaching and Ec- clesiastical Framework. Revival of the Agitation for the Intercom- munion of the Episcopal and Eastern Churches—Interesting Letter frem the Eastern Bishop of Jerusa- lem o@ Christian Unity. Ifthere be one thmg more than another that marks the religious sentiment of the age we live in it ts beyond all doubt an intense longing among all “who profess and call themselves Christians” for 4 visible reunion of Christendom, And the animating Principle of their almost universal yearning is equaily plain. Catholics and Protestants altke pray to God and appeal to men, In behalf of Ohrisuan ‘unity, on the ground of the ever-spreading growth of the most dangerous form of dibelief—that speci es Ol infidelity which springs up in the minds of thoughtful, honest and good men, who, having searched tor trath in the realms of external nature, dave attained so fixed a belief in the region of cer- tain universal and uniform laws as to be unable to conscientiously accept the possibility of revelation or of any miraculous interference oa the part of the Diety in the affairs of men. Itistrue that obstacies apparently tnsuperable stand in the way of such a REUNION. But, perhaps, as ume rups on and the ranks of conscientious disbelievers still increase, for the pro- tection of those grand essenual articles of faith whieh are common to all the churches, Caristiaas Wil at last have to join together and present a solid front to the enemy, That ts what De Tocque- vVille—the same far-seetng Frenchman who, tn 1830, foretold the war for the Union—predicted as the religious future of civilized nations—a division of men into two hostile camps, believers in Christ and disbelievers,. He also thought that all believers Would be in some way ultimately absorbed in the Catholic Church. The tial movements toward reunion, there- fore, are of the, greatest interest. And among these none have. been so long pending or seem to be more lUkely to be ultimately suecessful than that for a whionof the Episcopal ana Greek Churches. Such amnjob would ouly be partial, and Would, in fact, merely consist of a mutual recogni- tion of tie validfty of ule sacraments administered by both and of freedom to members of both churches to partake of them tn either. At present the Epis- cipal Churclt does net pretend to atspute the validity of (ne orders of either the Church of Rome or the Greek Church; 80 the main aifficulty is a diticulty on ‘one side only. This suggested onion was first agitated as far back as 1720, and has been frequently revived since. It has recently, however, certeinty grown more and More probable, and it willbe remembered that a few years ago a Russian priest was per- mitted to celebrate mass in Trinity church. Oniy a Tionth or two since a small Greek chapel was opened at 951 Second avenue, and it 1s now pro- posei to build @ large and handsome church on Lexington avenue, An accomplished and pious Russian priest, Father Bjerring, who speaks Eng- Tish fuently and well, now offieiates at the chapel, gndevery Sunday morning there is a service in English, the avowed object of which is to familiarize Episcopalians with THE GREEK RITE and demonstrate how closely the liturgical worship Df the two Churches is alike. The services at the chapel are as yet private, owing to tne limited ex- “kent of the accommodations, but when the large church 15 built there will be pubiic worship in Eng- Ush according to the Greek rite every Sunday. While | this infant church, therefore, serves as a place of Worship for the Russtan and Greek element of our New York population, tt is also intendcd to fulfil the mgher purpose of breaking down the prejudices that hinder the union of the Greek and Episcopal Churches. But when we come to look over the DOCTRINAL BELIEF OF THE CREEK CHURCH, we are puzzled to see how the two Clurches could ever fully and cordially come together. The differ- ences between the Greek aud the Roman Churches, with the exception of the “filogue clause” in the creed, are almost all mere matters of discipline. And in the fhogue dispute the Episcopal Church has adopted the sae reading as the Church of Rome, though many of its priests avowedly deem the Greek Church in the right. ‘The general character of the teaching of the East- €rn Church may, however, be fairly understood by the following abstract of the “Longer Catechism of the Ortuodox Catholic Eastern” Church, approved bho governing Synod and tangut i all Russian Bchools. The Catechism begins by prating that the doctrine of the orthodox faith ts derived from Divine revela- Hon, and that it is spread among men and preserved In whe true Church by the two channels of HOLY TRADITION AND HOLY SCRIPTURE. Holy tradition (thus mentioned first because of its beg the more ancient) 18 stated to mean the doc- tine of the faith, the 1aw of God, the sacraments aud the ritual as handed down by the true believers, by word and example, from one to another ana from generation to generation. Ail true believers, united by the holy tradition of te raith, collectively and successively, by the will of God, compose the Church; and she is the sure repository of holy tradition. In regard to Holy Scripture, the Oatechism enumerates a8 the canonical books the same list as will be found in the ordinary Protestant English Bible, it adds that the fathers approved also of the read- ing of the book of the wisdom of the son of Sirach, and certain others, This is the same teaching in regard to the Apocrypha as that of the Episcopal Church. The Greek Church incuicates the READING OF THE BIBLE, and has lately published an authorized verston in Russian, but gives a warning that its words must be taken and understood in such sense as agrees With the luterpretauon of the Orthodox Church and the holy fathers. The catechism having thus established the basis Of its teaching branches off into three parts, the first relating w che doctrine of faith, the second to that of hope and the third to that of charity. Under the head of faith the believer is taught to accept the “Ecumenical” creed tu the same words as are used in the Roman and Episcopal Churches, ‘with the important Tbe in the eightn article, that instead of reading “And I Veileve in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son,” 1t reads, who proceedeth from the Father,” the *filio que” clause being omitted. The ‘Various articles of the creed are then separately en- larged upon. The Trinity is stated to be a mystery pot to be fathomed by the human intellect, bui to be taken on the infallible testimony of the Word o! God. in regard to “all things visible and invisible,” “in- visible” is laid down a8 meaning the spiritual world to which belong the angels or messengers, whom. God sends to announce his will. Every humap being is watched over by Yruardian, good angels, and also ‘by evil ang The story of the creation is taken from the frst chapter of Genesis, and there ts no at- Jempt to explain away the literal meaning of the ‘word day. In regard to PREDESTINATION ‘At is laid down that God has predestined to give to all men, aud bas actually given to them preventing Wrace and means suticient for the attainment of eternal Lappiness; but this Is qualified by a quota- tion given immediately after trom the Eastern Pa- irlarcns, which reads, ‘As He ioresaw that seme Would use well their free will, but others {ll, He ac- cordingly predestined the former te giory, while the jater He condemned.” The Lastern Church pecpoes the weil known subtle distinction bet foreknowledge of redes:ination to eternal Misery. Tho existence of Divine Previdence—gen- eral and par*i=atar, is also insisted upen. The tastern ‘aurch does not bold the immacnuiate conception of the Virgin, but declares that she re- mained aud remains betore, during and after the birth of Christ a virgin, that she 1s Most Holy, Mother of God, and excelling in grace and nearness fo Goa, and 80, aiso, in dignity, every created being. In regard to the \ife, sufferings and ascension of the Saviour, and the theory of the atonement, there is 10 difference between either the Greek, Roman or uscopal Churches. The Church is declared by the Catechism to be one, but it says further that there are particular Churches, er parts of the one Cathelic Church, the separaveness of whose visible organiza- 7 tion does wot hinder them from — being spiritually members of the one vody of the universal Church, through their having ne head, Christ, aud one spirit of faith and grace. 48 unity is expressed aiso outwardly by unity of ad by commuuion in prayer and sacraments. ‘hole Church, oe, can at any Lime be tempo- Ecumenical Council, whose au- e thort ry oaolutely binding. ority is absolut % . Like the Roman Church the Eastern Chnreh acknowledges SEVEN SACRAMENTS. In regard to the sacrament of the communion it hoids steadfastly the doctrine of the real presence. The second part of the Catechism deals with the Gefuition and the ground of Christian faith and the means of peering, it The means suggested are, o1 urse, prayer, illustrated by an analysis of the forts Prayer, aod personal sancufication as taught y our Lora in the Sermon of the Mouat (the Beatt- tudes, Taew* * Of this nartof the Catectiam is 3 | ‘antform we the teaching of all sections of the Christian Church, ‘The third part, ON OHARITY, again gives some | retations of Christian doc urine if not ex: contrary te the belief of 4 certain sinall section of the Episcopal Church, 18 not is general teaching. In the first command. ment, says the Catechism, although we are taught to worship religiously God alone, we ought te pay due and razhtiut honer to angels and holy men, be- cause in tiem we honor the grace of God which dwells and works in them, and we may through them seek grace in God. The second command- ment is not Consirued to mean that sacred represen {ations shoula never be placed in the churches; and it 4s laid down as perfectiy lawiul to honor “Icous,” or ba representations of God, the Virgin and the saints, for, when thus used, these Icons are said to sunply books written with the forms of persons and things instead of letters. (In practice, nowever, in Kastern churches, plovures are generally the only artistic incentives to piety to be found. lmages, though not forbidden, have not been encouraged by the patriarchs, on the ground that ia the case of many ignorant worshippers the honor paid to them migit degenerate tnto idolatry.) The explanation of the last eight commandments diilers in no mate- rial respect from that of bot the Episcopal and Ro- ba Churches, he HIBRARCHY OF THE EASTERN CHURCH is the same in form, and, with the exception of the Very highest ecclestastical rank, in name also, as In the Roman Church, Instead of @ Pope there is a Patriarch in each grand national division of the church, Beneath him there are metropolitans, bishops and priets. The patriarch 1s assisted to his government of the Church by a Most Holy Synod, which corresponds in most of its fanctions to the College of Cardinais in the Roman Church or convo- cation in the English Episcopal. The Eastera churcbes, however, ackno Wleage to a very marked extent the authority ef the State, as represented by the ruler of the ijand in which it eXists—not, how- ever, 10 the spiritual, but only im the external cor- cerns of the Church, in discipline the great difference between the Roman and the Eastern Church is the permission given to the latter to marry. Tots permission 1s ac- companied, however, with oue important qualitica- ton that seems but itttle understood. ‘The priest must have inarried before he takes orders; if he is ordained while he ws yet sing.e he is a celibate for lite, From this cause Russian and Greek priests | frequently watt years before they take orders. And, | again, If lis wife dies the priest cannot take an- other. Such are very briefly the framework and the doc- trine of the Bastern Cuurch. ‘Phe family likeness in the liturgy of tpiscopal, Greek and Roman Churches 1s, however, extremely strong, as is, perhaps, not —extraordimary when we remember that they have becn comptied irom a common source, The Eastern liturgy bas lately been translated by the Rey. Father Byerring nto English, for the use of his chapel in Second avenue, and probably any reader who may feel very greatly iuterested in the question of Christian unity might obtain permission te attend the private services in English every Sunday moraing. Of late years the Russian branch of the Hastern Church has been undergojng a course of VIGOROUS INTERNAL REFORM. One crying evi—the iguorance of the clergy—has been eitfectually guarded against for tne future, All tue priests now have to spend at least five years at & preparatory school, and another six at the semi- nary, A select few of the more promising candidates are also given the privilege of aM additional course of four years at a higher academy, after they have compleied the course at the seminary. Nor have the laity been neglected. A new version of the Gospels, in Russ, published under the especial supervision 0! the Most Holy Synod, has been pub- lished and widely circulated. A second translution of the whoie New ‘testament has also recently been made for the first time m the Tartar language by Kasim Beg. Professor of Persian at the University of Si. Petersburg. Added to thesea missionary orgam- zation, numbering about two hunared teachers, Las been formed tor the evangelizasion of Siberia. — . In conclusion, 10 show the strong feeling in favor of umion with the Western Churcies entertained by at least a sirong and influential party im tie Bastern Church, We give the following transiation of a letter adaressed by Cyril, Sisaop of Jerusaiem, to the Eughsh Prunate. Some time ago Bishop Cyrti sent as & present to the Archbishop of Canterbury a copy ol a theoiogical work written by his predecessor. ‘The Archbishp replied in a kindly letter, and re- ceived in response the letter given beneath, which breaths, in Words of rare eloquence and earnest- ness, the most eager aspirations for a reuntied Christendor To Archbishop CAMPBELL, Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate ot All England:— Peace from God and the brotherly salutation in Christ. In roportion a8 we were on the one hand rejoiced from the eart at the receipt of the brotherly letter of your Holiness, fuiiof genuine sentiments of fricadship, we were, on the other hand, sorely wounded in heart at hearing of the sick- hes which was then alificung vou, Forthwith, beloved and much este ed brother in Christ, we offered up prayers and to the all gracious God at the Divine Sepuichre and at the awful ha for your recovery, and prayed heartily that you might resume your ugh functions, And inay He who hath chosen you to this exalted ministry of the Gospel preserve you henceforth {n safety and honor, in health and leng:b ef aaj ft beloved and highly honored r We were greacly rejoiced, brother in Christ, at the gracious acceptance which our poo! Present met with at the hands of your most wise Holiness. to wit, the catechese.s of your holy namesake and predec ‘sor, which divine Providence has itted us to publisi Ue prese establishe: by us im the Holy City. So m contly fullanent ot our wishes be also acceptable, to Author this the \d Founder of our faith, whose heavenly doctrine father fourteen hundred years ago 60 clearly pro- claimed aad expounded, leaving to posterity a truly noble and precious monument illustrative of the iife and faith of Christian antiquity. ‘And what are we to say further of the friendly praises | which you lavish upon Us on account of our pastoral activity i oly City? Dearly beloved brother in Christ, we have but fullilied the duty imposed upon us, not only’ by that Chureh in which, ye mercy of we preside, but by the whole Church throughout the world. But your keen- sighted perception bas very clearly fn tois, our uldmate atm, the advancement, namely, of spiritual life and intellectual energy, and the pinecone and consolida- tion of the bands of unity in the different branches of the world-wide Church. With this very object, by no means holding in light esteem the faith and life of the churches of ‘estern Europe, as based on one and the same found: tion which is Jesus Christ, and desiring for the benefit of the world-wide Church to’ study more closely their reli gious and ecclesiastical life, we determined long ago to send fo the universities of enlighied Germany some of those clergy who are subject to ovr apostolic throne, when already fur- nished with our home and foreign knowledge, for the pur- pose of studying not only the other sciences, but likewise that of the May the God of Jove and peace grant that our hearty. de- sires may attain the end at which they alm—that fs, the most blessed grace of unity of the churches. Furthermore, avall- ing ourselves of the present opportunity, we have thou; that we ought not to conceal our joyful emotions at the Unguished honors and greetings which our beloved brother fn Christ and fellow minister, the Archbishop of Syros and Tenos, the Lord Alexander Lycurgus, met with in private and in pubife, both from the blessed and iliustrious commu- nity of the Angiican Church and from its most plous and alfectionate pastors and pees Considering that these distinguished honors lavished upon the person of this emi- nent Greek prelate are reflected on the whole of our Church we tender hearty thanks to the whole of Christ-loving and powerful Albion, with its Primate and the rest of his breth- Ten, ‘The Church of Jerusalem will never cease in its friendly aspirations after these saving auguries of a bright future and of much desired issues. The most sweet morn of the fra- ternization of the two churches has begun to dawn. May it be the pleasure of the Most High that it may be augmented to @ briiliant sun, running through the worid from pole to pole, and animating the people of both the churches with one mouth and one heart to glorify and confess the all-honored ‘and most blessed Name. , The Lord of Zion bless both your greatiy desired and high!y esteemed Holiness and all under your pastoral charge. Your most reverend Holiness’ beloved brother in Christ and wholly devoted, CYRIL, of Jerusalem. Iy Tue HOLY Crry JERUSALEM, 1870. RAPID TRANSIT AGAIN. Citizens’ Societies Fussing Around Boss Tweed. A delegation of chairmen and committeemen be- longing to Citizens’ and East and Weat Side Assoct- ations assembled yesterday amid the auriferous pens which cluster in the store at No. 256 Broadway. Tuere were nearly @ score of individuals present, and their immedtate object was to worry the “Boss”? into rapid transit. Accordingly at about one o'clock they adjourned to Mr. TWEED’S SANCTUM SANCTORUM, 1n the Department of Public Works. The gangs of seedy-iooking men who thronged the passages on the lookout for a job gazed dreamily at the commit- tee, who sent in an oficial emissary to the awe-clad dispenser of metropolitan honors. Aftera while they were admitted, and Mr. Tweed asked them their business, Then up bespoke John Foley, with a sort of wining smile, ‘May 1t please you, Mr. Tweed, we want rapid transit, Iknow you disitke long speeches, and, in fact all addresses, which tend to lea d one off the main subject under discus- sion. Itis necessary, therefore, that I showd come to the point at ence, and inform you of the wishes of our friends and lellow voters on the subject. Life 18 short enengh without giving ONE-EIGHTH OF IT ON THUR HORSE CARS. This 1eads Us ito @ serieus view of the matter in its bearing upon the inter of humauity, whereever the Star Stripes — Boss—What €0 you want? Forey—Rapid transit, Mr. Tweed: rapid transit. Harlem to City Hall in fifteen minutes. You can DO IT IN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS if your noble, generous nature will only condescend to look at it In the light which I and all others de- sire. You can fix it, Mr. Tweed, Boss—What do you want? Fotey—We'll burrow underground ap Broadway as far as Fourteenth street, then take a turn across to Fourth avenue and in a subterranean manner until the climax 1s reached at Harlem, Boss— What else do you want? FoLey—We want the cily to do this thing by lend- ing its credit. Have it done, Mr. Tweed, and make ‘Unis the noblest act of yeur wonderful life. As this last FLATTERING UNCTION was laid to the Boss’ soul other members of the committee forced their way to the front and made short speeches—Edward Mathews and William A. Whitbeck goingat heavy on the yearning of down town to pave rapid transit, The Boss smiled grimly atvall this, and said:—*Gentlemen, rapid transit is a Weighty matter, with the diMculties of which oe oe por we, c nang eee or in Fai mph atic lai ‘ou have a perfect appreciation of te manner in‘wiien the a ANCIENT ARTICLE I8 MANIPULATED. In order to accomplish this you sould pt a bill setting forth your wishes on the subject, and then I shall be happy to see your committee at albany." With this highly satisfactory reply the commit retired in the most camforted manner. ie Bi RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. Services To-Day. Bishop Bayley, of Newark, N. J., will deliver a lecture this evening in the Church of St. Joseph, corner of Sixth avenve and West Washington place, on “The Roman Question,” Rev. Merrill Richardson preaches morning and evening in the New England Congregational church, Madison avenue. “Does God Purpose Sin?” will be the subject or the morning diacourse, Rev. Oscar Hugo preaches this evening in the Sevenveenth Street Baptist church on “Protestant Rights of Conscience in Roman Catholic Countries.” Rev. Dr, McVickar will preach this morning in the Church of the Holy Light, and Rev. Dr. Porter, of Grace Churoh, in the evening, Kev. David JMitcheil will this morning discourse on “Our Words’? tn tho Canal Street Presbyterian church, Greene street. Atthe Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, Twenty-first street, the pastor, Rev. G. F. Krotel, will preach this morning and evening. There will be preaching this morning in the North Presbyterian church, Thirty-first street and Ninth avenue, by Rev, Dr. Howard Crosby, and in the evening the first of a course of lectures on “Scripture Characters" by the pastor, Rev, Thomas Street, Rev, Merril Richardson, Rev. Alfred Taylor and Others will address the Morning Star Sunday school, 130 West Twenty-fourth street, this afternoon, at two o'clock, Rey. Dr. Wescott will preach in Plymouth Baptist church, Fifty-first street, tuis morning and evening, Rev. Richmond Fisk, D. D., will preach at the Church of Our Saviour (Sixth Universalist), Thirty- Ofth street, this morning and evening, Rev. Charles F. Lee will preach this morning, in Plimpton Building (Fifth Universalist). His subject will be “Is Caristianity a Delusion?” “The Victory that Overcometh the World” will be the subject of Rev. E. C. Sweetser’s discourse this morning, in the Bleecker Street Universalist church, and in the evening, “lasting, True and False.” Rev. C. S. Harrower preaches morning and even- ing in St. Luie’s Methedist Episcopal church, Forty- rst street, “The Papacy and the Infidel Antichrist” will be the subject of Rev. W. W. Andrews’ discourse this evening in the Gatholic Apostolic church, West Six- teenth street, Rev. J. R. Kendrick preaches morning and even- ing i the Tabernacle Baptist church, Second ave- nue, Rev. Benjamin H. Paddock, Rector ef Grace ehureh, Brooklyn, will preach im the Memortal church ef Bishop Wainwright, West Eleventh street and Waverley place, this evening. Rev. George H. Hepworth will to-night deliver the first of a course of lecturea to the young, in the Chureh of the Messiah. Subject, “How to Win and How to Fail.” Rev. Dr. Ewer preaches morning and evening in Christ church, Fifth avenue, Rev. Dr, Deems will preach morning and evening im the Church or the Strangers. Rey. Dr. Seymour will preach this evening in the Chapel of St. Chrysostom, Seventh avenue ana Thirty-ninth street. Dedicativn services wil! be continued at Hunter’s Point Baptist church this morning and evening. Rey. Dr. Pentecost, of Brooklyn, will preach in the evening, when the Baptistry will be dedicated, Rey. Dr. Crosby will preach this morning in the North Presbyterian church, Thirty-first street; and in the evening Rev. Thomas Street will give the first of a course of sermons on Scripture characters. Rey, J. H. Rylance, rector of St, Mark’s church, Second avenue and Tenth street, will preach this morning and afternoon. The congregation of St. Thomas’ chapel will hold divine services in Brevoort Hall, Fifty-fourth street, this morning, anda at St. Thomas’ church, Fifth avenue, in the evening. Divine service, with reference to the tenth anni- versary of the dedication of the Thirty-fourth street Reformed chureh wilt be held in the church to-day. Rev. Isaac Riley, the pastor, will preach the histori- cal sermon at 10% A, M. Sabbath school services at 8P.M. Rev. Dr. Stryker, former pastor, will preach at 7s P.M. An “Inquirer” Answered. To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:— ‘The “Inquirer” who tn your issue of the 5th asked the question, ‘‘Had the white man and the negro a common parentage?’ seems to have based his con- clusion that the negro was a distinct creation upon the fact that he te from the structure of his body, adapted to the climate in which he dwells. He could claim with equal right, upon the same grounds, a separate creation for every race of men on the face Of the earth, for they ali give evidence of their adap- tation to the various climates and countries in which they live, as the researches of ethnologists prove. We know positively that climate and various otner causes do vie together to fit a race for the con- dition of the portion of the globe in which they dwell. Instances are on record where these changes have actually taken place; one of the most notable of which ts that of the Jews of Cochin, who, although prevented from amalgamating with tne original inhabitants, by the strictness of their laws pronibil marriage with foreigners, became so dark and so like the natives that it was often im- possible to distinguish them. Shouid the “Inquirer” visit the West Indies and see the sheep of that coun- try I do not doubt that he would claim that the “hairy sheep’ were a new species, and would argue that they had a distinct creation, be- cause they are covered with hair instead of wool, thereby being cooler in that torrid climate: although we know, aS all travellers have informed us, that our woolly sheep when taken there lose all their wool and become covered with hair. The manner in which the writer accounts for the color of the negro, viz., that he was created so in order to enable him to keep cool in the torrid cli- mate of Africa, which he illustrates by way of a well known experiment, showing the increase in the ra- diation ef heat froma dark surface over that ef a light one is perfectly correct where the heat 1s uerived from an internal source; but when derived from an external source, as in the case of the African, it gives entirely different results. For what the negro gains over the white man by his power of radiation ot heat he loses by the increase in his absorptive powers, for all know that a black surface will ab- sorb more heat than a light one, thus the result is about the same in both cases, and this argument from design falls to the ground. Moreover, the writer claims that since the creation of man a very large portion of the Eastern continent has been submerged under the ocean, which is not in accordance with the facts of geology. Geologists state that since the close of the tertiary period, in which we find ne traces of man, no changes have taken place in the distribution of the land and water save the upheaval of a portion of the coast line and such as were effected by the passage of giaciers over the country. There is no scientific theory that rests upon better evidence than tne unity of mankind. There always wiil bea few who will doubt it, for vartous reasons, but these must find a better argument from which to infer a dis- tinct creation for different races than mere He tion to the countries they inhabit. The world is fast coming to peonnise the fact that the wisdom ana power of the ighty 1s as evident in the workings of the laws He has ordain creation. ed as in the direct act of QUID EST VERITAS. Going to Cuba for His Health. The Rev. Dr. Gardner, of St. James (R. C.) Cathe- dral, Brooklyn, is about to leave his pastoral duties here for a short sojourn in Cuba, Dr. Gardner ac- companied Bishop Loughlin to Kome at the time of the meeting of the Ecumenical Council as secretary and theologian, but being shortly called home en- countered in his passage across the Atlantic the severe storm in whicn the ill-fated City of Boston was lost, The exposure, the greater in bis case than tat of many others because Of his sacred office, and the fatigue endured during @ protracted voyage s0 seriousiy affected the neal the Doctor as to oc- casion the loss of his voive. It is hoped a resiaence in the South may have a beneficial effect and that the genial climate of the West Indies will restore the lost vocal powers. Dr. Gardner has considera- ble reputation as @ preacher, and the Catholics of Brookiya would rejoice to see him again take ius old Place th the pulpit. Letter from the Pope McCloskey. To OUR VENERABLE BRETHREN JOHN, ARCHBISHOP or NEW YORK, AND THE SUFRRAGAN BISHOPS OF THE PROVINCE OF New YORK:— PIUS IX. POPE. VENERABLE BRETHREN, HEALTH AND APOSTOLIC BenevIcTion—Nothing could be more grateful to us than the very kind tokens of dutfful affection which, with so much unanimity of mind and heart, you have been pleased to manifest towards us in our most grievous triais. Bitter, indeed, venerable brethren, is the affliction of soul which we expe- rience because of the sacrilegious violation of the rights of this Apostolic See, of eur liberty oppressed and of our city subjected to the power of wicked men, under whose rule we are force to de- plore the many wrongs of our people with- out being gable apply @ remedy, But we t = Archbishop bless the most merciful God, who, from day to day, strengthens our hove in Him, and ceases not wo grant to our heart timely consolations, to a vel Fo signal ddeuty, ial love and devotedness which you cherish toward us and this Chair of Peter, the centre of unit) ; the distinguishea zeal which shines forth m the protests, in which you express your deep and heartfelt sympathy with us, as Well ‘as earnest re- probation of the sacrilegious acts perpetrated against ‘us and (he Apostolic See; your cerity of iceling, ‘as evinced in your words to us, and showing the love of justice and of the Church of God which 1s deep seated in your hearts, all these give evidence of our sacerdotal virwue and gladden us, through divine goodness, with a rich harvest of consolation. We, therefore, venerable brethren, giving you all commendauon in the }, assure you of our est _gratilude, and earnestly beseech the all and good God, out of the richness of His gi graciously reward you .or all that you have go laud. abiy done and are dog for the Church of God and this Apostolic See. Yet we doubt not that you will daily: multiply your meritorious services to the Church, taking especial care to contimue, together With the taitnful committed to your charge, in pray- ing fervently to obtain for us heavenly ala and for tne Church victory over her enemies, striving also, earnestly and with alacrity, to 1uitil whatever regard for your pastoral ministry or the cause of God and b, rei ‘80 flercely assailed, nowjdemands of tts de- lenders, Go on, then, venerable brethren, and endeavor to Promote in the minds of the faithful entrustea to You te excelient sentiments which you cherish, that Ohristian piety and virtuous example may dally bring forth groater fruits tu the aight of God ana man. dn the meantime, imploring from the Lord all abundance of heavenly graces, both for yourselves and for your flocks, whom we know to be animated with warmest fidelity and attachment to us and the Church, as @ pledge of our spec.al and peculiar re- gard, we alfectionately impart to each and all of ay and to all the faithful clergy and laity commit- ud te your care, Our apostolic benediction. Given at Rome. at St. Peter's, on the ist day of Jauuary, A. D. 1871, in the twenty-fifth year of our Pontiiicate. PIUS P. P, 1X, The Most Reverend Archbishop has also received @ letter from Cardinal Barnabo, in which his Emi- nence makes ackvowledgement on the part of the Holy Father of receipt o. the protest from the clergy and laity of New York, as well as of the offering which accompanied it (a dratt for little less than three thousand pounds sterling). His Holiness ex- Pressed himself us lughly gratiued by this mark of Udelity and afection coming trom his generous cnil- dren of New York, and returns them lis warmest thanks and apostolic benediction. Distinctive Principles of the Protestant Epis- The “distinctive principles” of the Protestant Episcopai Church, as enunciated by the Philadel- Phia Divinity School, and tnculcated by its profes- sors, are certainly in marked contrast in some re- Spects to those of the Episcopal General Theological Seminary of this city. The former are thus set forthin the columns of the last Episcopalian, ad- dressed to other denominations:— » 1. The Bible the sole rule of faith, as opposed to me ean the Bible aud tradition the joint rule of faith. , 2. Just.fication by faitn alone, as opposed to the dogma of the necessary agency and invariable effl- cacy of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. athe exclusive priesthood of Christ, as opposed to the dogma of an earthly and human priestheoa which converts the ministers and ambassadors of Christ into an order of manipulating priests. 4. The Church of Christ. “The mystical body of Christ, which is the blessed company of all falth- ful people.” (Communion service). The visibie Church of Christ isa congregation of faithful men in which the pure word of God is preached and the sacraments be duly ministered ac- cording to Christ's erdinanve, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same. (19h article). Episcopacy of Apostolic origin and necessary to the perfection of a Church, as opposed to the dogma which dectares the Episcopacy is necessary to the being of a church, and unchurches all those who are not members of the Episcopal Church, and de- ‘eh them up to the “uacovenanted mercies of The Religious Movement in Germany. BERLIN, Feb. 23, 1871, The schism in the German Catholic Church is on the increase. A strong agitation comes from the opponents of infallibility, who demand tnat the government shall protect them in their old Catholic fatin and in tye social and political post uons which they heretofore occupied. At the close of a lengthy memorial they petition the Legislature to decide upon the following questions, viz:— First—Can the Catholic Church, after so complete a transmutation, exercise the same rights as hereio- fore? Second—Are treaties made with the Catholic Church, as it existed heretofore, still binding upon inaividuals and communities ? Third—Have bishops, adherents to the Pope, the Tight to dismiss the present pastors and appoint others in their stead, contrary to the protests of che entire, or of the cultivated portion, of the commu- nity? Powrth—Are the funds accumulated by the be- Hevers in the old faith Mable to be appropriated for Purposes of the new religion and Church / Fifth—Are the youth to be instructed under the Protection and authority of the State in both the old and the new doctrine? THE INTOLERANT DECREE of the Royal Consistory against Jadaism has been attacked even by Protestant religious jeurnals. We quote from one of the leading organs:—‘‘At present there are many Jewish ramilies who not only culti. vate the highest artistic and scientific pursuits, live up tothe highest standard of morality ana refine- ment, but are possessed of the true spirit of the Gospel; productive in them of faith in the reconcil- img mercy of God—of peace, humility and love. Wherever intellectual and moral cultivation are at all developed Jews will be found to venerate and love the person of Jesus. It is no means uncommon to encounter them performing their de- votions in Christian churches. Really we despair of discovering anything whicn could in the least Justify the decree of the Royal Censistory. Indeed, many a Jew may be to-day nearer to the heart of Jesus than many a proud Pharisee who boasts lis Christian orthodoxy.’’ ANOTHER PROTEST against the aioresald decree comis from the Jewish community of Berlin. In it they say “they fear no danger, as to their social tion, from the hatred which characterizes this document, and that it can- not prevent that nearing of the different persuasions which is the sign of tue times. .It 18 deplorable, how- ever, that enmity and contempt are advocated by such high authority against the Jews, citizens of the same State, who serve their country with equal devotion, and sacritice to it life and fortune. All the allegations of the Royal Consistory, whether apply- ing to the past or present, are go erroneous that 1t 18 imcemprehensible to find them presented by a body 80 learned and 80 high in station. It is a fact that the Jews do not believe the incarnation of God in the person of a but they are perfectly free from hatred or animosity, and are contident that Jesus will deny all the faise disciples who profess to act in his name.”” The document winds up by saying:— “It is not our province to enter into a religious controversy with the worthy Royal Conslstory,but it 1s our right and our duty to enter a decided protest against endeavors calculated to stir oF hatred and coutempt against the beuevers of the Mosatc faith.” The Catholic World in Defence of the Tempo- raliticeseThe Cross of the Crusaders Re- stored. [Rome (Feb. 13) Manet deta of Pall Mall Ga- x re It seems certain that forces for the recovery of the Pontitical States are being mustered in Belgium, a country Whose independence rests on its neutrality, and that when ail ts ready the Pope will leave Rome and put himself at their head vo lead them to the field. The Questor at Rome has just seized at a house in the Corso a lithographic stone, representing the bronze cross assumed by the Crusaders on their en- rolment, I send you @ fac-simue of this badge, Which bears on one side tne inscription, “Cruciata Catholica Militia Jesu Chrisu,” &c., &c.; and on the other side the words, ‘‘Unristus vincit; Christus reg- nat; Christus in in wternum; pro Petri Sede et Ecclesia.” ‘The whole is surmounted by a Royal crown, wiih the motto “Rex Regum."? Funds are pouring into the Vatican sufficient to meet every expense. During last month the Pope Teceived 1,101,000 francs, and since the 1st of Feb- Tuary this sum has been swelled by 400,000 francs more. Nearly all the officers of the disbanded Pon- tifical army and the bulk of the soldiers have em- braced the crusade and are now receiving their eld pay, while volunteers are mustering tn every part of the Continent, General Kanzier is in Belgium, and the day before yesteraay Commander Zip pant pro- ceeded to Brussels with despatches for the Nuncio and the Archoishop of Malines, which are belteved to relate to the expedition. An attempt will be made at the same ume to effect a Pu rising in Rome, and Monseigneur de Mérole 1s laboring Zeal- ously lo prepare this mine, Every morning the ex- Minister of the Police reports te the Holy Father the accounts brought to him by kis emissaries of the temper of the population, and no pains are spared to foster every germ of uiscontent. The Ponttiical Ministry ts reconstituted, and constantly assembles at the Vatican, where it discusses these proceedings and keeps @ watch on the situation. ‘There is no doubt that the Italian Kingdom is in a very bad plight. Convents in England. Lady Gertrude Douglas, eldest daughter of the late Lord Queensbury, writes to the London 7imes, giv- ing her experience of convent life for five years. At the expifation of that time, for reasons which she does not feel called upon to state, she wished te return toher home. “No difficulty was made in allowing her to see and converse with the Ecclesias- tical Superior of the diocese, and after a short delay he released her from her vows. To Protestant authority she would never nave > appealed. and if the smallest restraint on her conscience had been im- posed, Mr. Newdegate’s proposed commission of inquiry would have been perfectly useless to effect her Uberation. as alo would most decided bave advantage of its interference in a maner ‘hice ‘sim ded her own con- science, contempt, but » and not from from @ conviction which nothing could that no authority trom God could reat with any but ic Church, to whom the pri of holy Catholi a gave the power to bind and to release. The Nee should be ae to convince Mr. Newde- gate there does e: for every man a certain court of appeal. It any girl or woman dares to as- sert she is detained by compulsion in her convent she speaks falsely.” ly Gertrude denies that letters are intercepted, or that there f not per‘ect Uberty to communicate with friends. She never in the course of the five years heard an expression of discontent upon the lips of any of the sisters, and never heard one t her liberty or aesire to ex: Shanes trons ae a Saye shat were the Sapehe ot . They alt seemed happy—really an‘ truly happy. She declares that sho shall never ink of the convent eaclosure, which Mr, Newdegate and wi gaia tae F Sour bie @ scene some 0} ie blest recollections of her life, bi Religious Notes—General and Personal. The senlor editor of the New York Observer (S. Trenwus Prime) has gone to the South for the benefit of his health, A letter from Galesburg, lL, notices a considera- ble religious interest among the youth in the ree principal educational institutions in that place— Knox College, the Ladies’ Seminary and tne Academy. A great revival has prevailed in Clyde, Wayne county, ever since the Week of Prayer. Tie evan- gelical churches are united in the work. The Presbyterian church of Washington, N. J., re- ceived a large accession on the morning of Sun- day, February 19, and tho day will long be re- membered as one of peculiar enjoyment, At the hour of service an immense audience assemoled at the church, A short prayer mecting was held by tne communicants. Seventy-five new members were then announced by the pastor. The Greenwich street church, Philadelphia, Rev. William flutton pastor, recetvea fourteen new mem- bers on Sabbath eventing, March 6. Of these” tweive were on profession. ‘The Boston Congregational ministers are favor- able to an earlier date for the Day of Prayer tor colleges, ‘The Congregationalist queries:—Why should not one of the days of the Weck of Prayer be tixed upon by common agreement ior this pur- pose? The Auburn (N. Y.) Advocate of February 23 re- ports between three and four hundred converts and additions to the Methodist church on the fleid of its circulation, The Northern Advocate hauls General Kilpatrick over the coals for “presuming to cast contempt upon Christianity.” A Boston clergyman, on a recent Sunday, declined to read from his pulpit an announcement of a church fair on the ground tnat the Scriptures did not author- ize such @ course to raise money. The Christian Guardian, Methodist paper, of Toronto, has letters from Rev. George McDougall mussionary in the Northwest, describing the ravaged of smallpox among the Indians, who are falling vic- tims by huadreds. The Indians abandon tie sick to die alone and scores tie unburied. Among these who died were two daughters of the missionary. The Universalist has @ letter from Rev. George Moses, an Indian preacher of the Delaware tribe, im Haldimand county, province of Ontario, giving an account of his conversion to Universalism and the ee ef a congregation of Universalists in The Church Journal has a letter from the Rev. J. H. Hill, the venerable missionary to Greece, giving an account of what he calls a ‘remarkable revival of religion in Greece." The German Moravian congregation in this city, Rey. F. F, Hagan minister, have purchased and dedicated a commodious chapel in Sixth street. Bishop Reinke, of New York, oficiated, assisted by ie eeu Schad, Dr. Muhlenburg and otuer clergy- For several weeks past there has been much relt- ous interest at Gloversville, N. Y. Prayer meetings have been held daily, and the revival is more exten- sive thau any that has been experienced in the piace for many years. Next Friday, 17th inst., being the festival of St. Patrick, a solemn Pontifical high mass will be cele- braved in St. Patrick's Cathedral, at hali-past ten A. M,, by the Most Reverend Archbishop, and the panceyric of the saints will be preached by the Rev. ‘elix H. Farrelly, pastor of St. James’ church. The Pittsburg Christan Advocate mourns that the Methodist Episcopal Church, with its great numbers and wealth, “1s to-day one of the feeblest in Christ- endom for foreign missionary werk." The American Board sent out last year more i,en than all the Metho- dists have in foreign lands. The Chicago Standard corrects its statement that Dr. Rylance, of the Episcopal Chureb, ts ready to take a stand with Mr. Cheney in the matter of bap- Uusmal regeneration. Such 1s not his position. The Central Christian Advocate, at St. Louis, is Opposed te the election of bishops for a limited time of tour years, but tninks there ought to be many more bishops, and their residence scattered over the country. The Baptist Missionary says that the executive committee “will take the responsibility of sending seven men to Burmah, three to the Teloogoos, one to the Garos, two to the Assamese, two at least to China, within one year from this date, if the men can be found. The members of our churcties will provide the means, if there are found fifteen young cee are willing to devote themselves io this wor! The London Record states that Mr. E. H. Palmer, of St. John’s College, Vambridge, mm a recent report on the Desert of the Tih, &c., mentioned some in- scriptions which had becn recently found at Hamath, in Syria, by Mr. Johnson, American Con- sul General at Beyrout, and urged upon the commit- tee the investigation of the subject. The inscrip- tions are in acharacter as yet enurely unkrowa, and will, Mr. Palmer believes, turn out to be of archwological importance, The Boston Herald gives the following:—In one of his sermons yesterday Elder Knapp told a somewhat remarkable story of ‘quick conversion” at one of his revival meetings, where the church had warmed up to the work. Some thirty sceptical and scofting young men came trooping into the meeting, bent on fun, and found the brethren and sisters on their knees wrestling in prayer. They rose to receive the new comers, got their arms around their necks and brougnt them down on their knees beside them. Then they prayed and wrestled until in three minutes, only three minutes “by the watch,’”’ most ef those young men were converted, and rose from thetr knees new creatures. This the Elder thought the best time on record. FORTY-FOURTA STREET SYNAGOGUE. Isracl’s Great Sin—Fashionabdle Idolatry— Neglect of Judaism—Sermon by Rev. S. M. Isaacs. The beautifal spring weather of yesterday induced @ goodly congregation of Israelites to gather m the orthodox synagogue in West Forty-fourth street. Among the Gentiles present we noticed the Rev. Hugh Blair, a Presbyterian clergyman, and family. The publicity given by the HERALD to the pulpit utterances of the Jewish rabbies has led a good many Christian ministers and laymen to see that the gulf between Judaism and Christianity and the faith and doctrines and teachings of both is not so utterly 1m- passable after all. Hence at every Jewish service there are always present a greater or lesser number of Gentiles, especially whenever sermons are delivered in English. The Hebrews of the city are so rapidly assuming the English vernacular that by and by every rabbi in this community must preach in English if he would instruct his congregation. At present we believe there are but three ministers in the city who preach in this tongue. The portion of the law read yesterday before this congregation is comtainea in Exodus XxxxXti., which details the lapsing of Isracl into idolatry as Soon as they had come out of Egypt. The verses more especially used as a text were the seveateenth and eighteenth, wherein Joshua tells Moses, as they descend Mount Sinai, that “there is A NOISE OF WAR IN THE CAMP," and Moses’ reply that “It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, nor of them that cry for being overcome, but the noise of them that sing,” whica he heard. Mr. Isaacs remarked that in a former discourse he had set pefore his hearers the ill effects of bad example, and the sermon yester- day was in the same strain, but with more imme- @iate reference to the manifest carelessness and neglect of Hebrews of taeir Sabbath and their an- cient religious custems, Israel had been brought from slavery to freedom. ‘vrhey had been emancipated by God, but no sooner had their leader (Moses) let them to receive the con- stiuition and bylaws by which they were to be gov- erned than they made a molten calf, and declared that this was the god which bad brougut them out of Egypt. a priest, had sought for time, in the Be that Moses might come down from the Mount and by his presence appease the murmurings ofthe people. He therefore ordered them to tear off their ear rings and jewels, and these he cast into the fire and there cane out # call. And then the people shouted and and danced before the idol and worshipped 1. No wonder that Moses was paralyzed, and that in ms auger he cast down the two tables of the law and broke them before the camp. Consider the importance of the word of Moses, It was not the voice of victory, NOT THE VOICE OF POWER, which he heard. They had not conquered their pas- sions, else they would have shouted praise to God, Neither was it the groan of defeat, but the noise of singing and shouttng—biasphemy of the worst kind— which he heard. Israel cannot be exonerated from the guilt of this crime. They had seen the works and wonders of the Lord in Egypt and the Ked Sea; but, nevertheless, we see in this act of theirs the a wer of bad example. ; ad been Brought up in Egy! which cou' They hi and could not uaderstand a Sheol oe hence, when Moses disap, not be apprehended ah eway for more than a mouth. canid aot tell what had become of him and, in the spirit of Egypttan hero worship, they demanded gods waich 7 go before them and iead them iato their own And now, to this incident and those thoughts toour OWN times suid the rabbl, we have a voice in our camp, but it 1s not the voice of power, Israel 1s hot united in opposition to the common foe. It ts not the voice of weakness, because we should not then build such beautiful and magnitl- cent ut 1% & voice of 61 and shouting, a noise of self Ing, praise and gratulation, in which we drown the voice of duty and of praise. We are no longer the Jews of the Bible. Our law is broken; our Sav. bath days violated throughout this city, and unul we see greater respect for these we cannot believe that we are in the path of duty. We may be Jews at heart, but in practice and in life we are not. Stores are kept open on the Sabbath, and business is transacted as if the day had no more sanctity than other days. We have something to boast of im this fair land, where Wk ENJOY A GLORIOUS KIND OF HAPPINESS, and yet we are ashamed of being Jews. Let it not be said we neglect our duty, else in due time Jugaism will become a thing of the past. Let us serve God in word and in deed, and let not our chil- dren learn from our bad example to forsake the God of their fathers and to despise the holy oracles, An earnest prayer was then delivered for salva- tlon from the fasplonable idolatry of the age and for mane of heart ana life, and greater respect for the bere day and the ordinances and precepts of udaism. YACHTING. ‘The ComingYachting Season. [From the Evening Loader, March 8.) There is abundant evidence that the approaching yachting season will be prolitic of great events, The spirited contest of last summer, which demonstrated the skill of our gallant yachimen and the superior build of our fast boats, had a most quickening in- fluence. And this result would have been attained if Mr. Ashoury, the representative yachtman of England, had succeeded in bearing away irom our shores the prized Queen's Cup. A new life and vigor was givea to this manly and useful sport by the splendid regattas Mr. Ashoury’s visit occasioned; aud under the able management of the ‘ouicers of the New York Yacht Ciub the éclat thon gained ts having ls proper effect. Our yacit squadron achieved & signal triumph over the best and fastest vessel in the English feet; and wheiher or no our nautical cousins re~ main content with the result of the splendid contest, the victor will be certain to find, in the comiug summer, many eager contestants for the laurels he so gallantly won. ‘There are several new yachts soon to be launched, and some are al afloat which, it 1s confidently believed, will show points of excellence, both in light and hea weather, which have not yet been attained. Ai least we have every reason to expect thas in the build o1 these new crafi there will be a mantiest improve- ment over the fine specimen of pleasure boats already afloat in our waters, And tf by actual ex- periment in iriendiy contesis on our Coast thts 18 proved to demonstration we will have reason to be proud of our yachtmen. There is no other spot so benefictai to young men of weaith, and, perhaps, mone 80 4@ ble as yachting, and certainly there is which does more for the country. The velopment of marme architecture concerns the whole nation, while the rough but exhilarating experieuce which our yacutmen have in their an- nual cruising is of inestimabie benefit to them. And it must not be OT hore) tual, while yacitbuilding and yachting afford employment to a great number of persons left idle because of the stagnant condition 1 shipbuilding, our marine architects are constantly prompted to higher ideas and correcter taste in the construction of fleet ships. This last {3 no small consideration for a people who remember the tri- umphs of American shipbuilders in the past, and Who are desirous of maintaining our conceded su- periority in this respect. in view, therefore, of these manifest advantages, yachting should tncrease in popuarity year by year, and reveive every en- couragement. ‘We have no doubt whatever taat the coutng season will far surpass the last. The Williamsburg Yacht Club. Atarecent election the following named gentle» men were elected officers of tne Williamsburg Yacht Club for the season ensuing:—Frederick L. Meyerrrecks, Commodore; William Allen, Vice Com- modore; William F, Robertson, Secretary; Harman Rankin, Assistant Secretary; Arthur Bassett, ‘I'rea- surer. Committee—Judge umes, Jos “pl. Northup, Cornelius Connor, William H. Rexter, D. Saerwood and William bakeweil. Tne ctab coutro! twelve sailing yachts and one steam yacht. ‘They are making preparations for the summer regatta. The English Yachting Season of 1871. {From the London Standard, Feb 27.) The yachting season of 1871 1 likely to ve a good one, and @ good yachting season means something more than the thorough enjoyment of the upwaras of 2,000 yacht owners; It means the direct empioy. ment of some 6,000 seamen and the indirect empioy- ment of many hundreds of others, besides giving oc- cupation to numbers of almost every trade,.from the goldsmith, who manufactures the cups which are annually oferea as prizes, to the weaver of the familiar red worsted cap, or to the poor seamstress who embroiders the name of the yacht on the satior’s Guernsey at the charge of apenuy aletter. 1¢ canuet, then, be wondered at that about this time of the year the prospects of the coming yachting season are annually anxtonsly discussed i the porta where the trade 18 principally derived from the butiding and equipping of yachts. Alinost every harbor round the coast ef Great Bri- tain and Ireland contais some yachts now laid up, their masts covered with white lead and tallow, and the ils of the vesseis looking like so many chrysales; but ut Cowes and Gosport there are for- ests of yachts’ masts, and hundreds of vessels in their chrysalis-like stage. The great question in these ports is, how many of these vessels will find their wings this season, for on the number aepends the state of trade and in @ great measure the suce cess of the yachting season. From all we can learn the season of 1871 ts likely to be one of tue most exciting and brilliant on re- cord; exciting 1t must be, from the fact that new vessels are building to beat those waich proved the fastest in their respective classes last year. Thus we have the Livonia, J. Ashbury, Esq., coming out to beat the American Pieper Sappho; a schooner for Colonel Marka, to do battie with the Flying Cloud; andthe Alcyone, Colonel Sir William Topham, to contest for the honors of the fastest forty-ton cuuwer with the Muriel, These new vessels will have to prove themselves fast indeed before they beat the successful yachts of 1870. In aaditiou to the racing craft alluded to quite a fleet of non-racing vessels will be launched during the next three months—schooners, yawls, cutters, screw steamers, and yacuts of all descriptions will receive a large addition to their numbers, dt ts rumored that some American yachts will again visit England during the summer, but the event of the year will be the Visit or the Livonta to America. Tne result of that vessei’s races with the champion American yachts wilt be looked forward to with the utmost anxiety, but for our own part we have little tear as regurds that result, and look upon the success of the Livonia as almost certain. The yacht racing at home will be more interesting than usual. More money will be devoted to the ey ond of prizes; the cup won by the Cambria in er race across the Atlantic with the Dauntless, Which has been presented to the Royal Harwich Yacht Club, will be competed fer under the auspices of that club; and some yacht clubs ave, during the winter, 80 altered and amended their rules as v0 in- sure additional sport. The first appearance of Sir William Topham’s cutter Alcyone will cause a sensation in the yachting world. She may be expected to take part in the matches of the Koyal Thames and Royal London Yacht Clubs in May next. The Alcyone is now build- ing at Southampton, and is a very handsome vessel, about sixty feet long and twelve feet beam. She ts built on the composite principle, and looks as thouga nothing of her size could beat her. From the middie oi May to the end of August the racing yachts will have a hard ume of it. On almost every day during this period there will be a yacht race uuder the auspices of some one of the now too numerous yacht clubs; and it ts to be hoped that the committees will so fix the days for their regattas as to give the yachts of the various Classes time to get from port to port, and thus enable them to take part in the matches Uat are provided for them. The racing m the Solent will probably commence with the regatta of the Reyal Yacht squadron at Cowes, about the Ist of August; then will follow the regatta of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club at Ryde, commencing, probably, about the 7th of August, and that will be succeeded by the Royal Albert Yacht Club regatta, which will commence on the 14th of August and extend over a week. But, apart from the racing, the season of 1871 ts likely to be a very busy one. ‘(here 1s a great de- mand for yachts of all descriptions, particularly small vessels, and everything that can get across the chanuel will visit the northern ports of France. Curiosity as to the amount of wanton di in- flicted upon that unfortunate country is rife, aud doubtless many vessels will visit Rouew, provided English vessels at ue botiom of the. Selne do not stop the way. Mr. Ashbury’s Livonia. {From the London Globe.) Mr. Ashbury seems determined to beat the Ameri. can yachtmen if the thing can be done. His victory ih the ocean race was cleverly and gallantly won. It proved to the public the superiority of grea circle sailing, which, of course, needed no proof to men of solenes. Tis new yacht, the Livonla—named after @ province in waich, we believe, he inaugurated the railway, system—is being built by tiie same yacht wright as tue Cambria, but is inuch larger, and upon an entirely new design. Only a draw: could ade- quately, udicate her peculiarities; out a 230 ton schooner that carries masts above sixty feet high ‘and four times tne area of canvas of Ae) ‘Captain, evidently meant to race, She will look remarkable amid tne yachting Meet that by and by will crowd the blue waters of the Solent. People who care little about yachting may see reason tothank Mr. Aah- bury for his indefatigable enterprize; the Americans and English want to understand each other better, and a contest of this sortis a seq.ai occurrence which may be luducnwal uvon eventy nolitical,