The New York Herald Newspaper, September 25, 1871, Page 4

RELIGIOUS. Sanctuary Services and Sermons in New York, Brooklyn and Washington. The Fraudulent City Govern- ment Denounced. Mr. Hepworth’s State Prison Remedy. Ordination of a Missionary at a Methodist Church. James Beecher on Pastors with all Modern Improvements. Laying the Foundation Stone of a New Boman Catholic Charch. Sermons by Dr. Chapman, Revs. Merrill Richardson, Hepworth, James Beecher, Andrew Longacre, Charles Hoover, Father Preston and Drs, Becker and Newman. CHURCH OF THE MESSLAN, A Sermon on the City Frauds=The Rev. Mr. Hepworth’s Opinion ot the Committee of Seventy—He Thinks They Are on the Wrong Track. This spacious and beautiful church was crowded, as usual, yesterday evening with the ¢lite of Murray Hill and its neighborhood. A Unitarian congrega- gation, as a rule, has invariably the look of culture and refinement, and Mr, Hepworth’s congregation is particularly distinguishable for these graces of the soul, Tne music, the upholstery, the personal ature of the audience and the earnest but softencd atterances of the preacher are all in keeping with this ecclesidStical organization for going to heaven with all the advantages of being surrounded with the best society, The sermon, as will be seen below, was a kind of Joba the Baptist wall against the false and frauduient city government, accompanied by a very sensible and practical suggestion for a remedy. Mr. Hepworth’s text was taken from Hosea vill., 7—“For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.” He sald:—My text announces a fact the truth of which is proved in every genera- ton and by every people. It is @ peculiarly forcible and picturesque statement that THE PUNISUMENT OF WRONG always follows on the heels of its commission. Noone is exempt—neither the private citizen, the public officer nor the king. We are in the midst of an iilus- tration of this in our community, The whole city is stirred ag it can be by no ordinaryevent. Wrong has been done, and very great wrong, by some one, and the people seem determined to find the offender anda give hum his reward. I am glad that at last the provocation has been sufilcient to arouse the great mass of our people. I nope that the investigation which has been instituted will accomplish not oue thing only, buttwo. inthe first place, it is due to the just men—the men of probity who occupy oMice— and we are proud to say to the whole country, which is too ready to believe that there Is NOTHING BUT CORRUPTION in New York—that they should be publicly exone- rated and commended. You know itis the tendency in all greac excitements to huddle tne innocent and guilty in the same cell of condemnation, The peéo- ple discrimmate only when they are cool. There ‘re good men and true in high places, apd they stand up against the general background of corrup- tion as a white marble monument against the mid- aight. In the second place, [hope the real criml- will be jound and punished to the uttermost eXtent of the law, without fear or favor. I know it is often urged that the temptations of office are al- most irresistible; that when millions are passing through a man’s hands some of it will stick there, But thts is a feeble excuse. There are men in shis city who would sooner cut their right band of than offend, and these are the men whom we snould give these sacred trusts. { am led to ask, What 18 tho cause of allthis trouble? The answer will come straight home to all of us, {t is that we, in the selash pursuit of our own personal ends for the sast twenty years, have FORGOTTEN THE CLAIMS OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS; and when we have been reminded of the loose con- duct of our = om@cers we have said, “Yea, 1 know it, but It can’t be helped. I have neither time Qor inclination for these things.” And so the mat- ter has gone on from bad to worse. We have been very mindiul of our rights and very unmindful of our duties. We have done in politics what some tg- norant people do ig the Church. They pin their faith on tne minister's sleeve and leave thelr getting vo heaven to bim; and we have lost all sense of per- soual responsibility for the conduct of pubile affairs, and left office to any adventurer who had the impu- dence or the ambition to claum it. To such a have matters come that it ts hardly an honor to hold 4 place of trust. The motives of one who seeks it are universally suspected, and It 1s too often fouud in the hands of a man who has paid for it with the expectation of MAKING HIS FORTUNE OUT OF IT, This, I need not say, is all wrong. It 1s wrong from the standpoint of a true citizen and from tuat of the Christian. The Church does right in denouncing sucht a laxity of pubiic opinion. If there is any significance in this general excitement it will go down to the root of the matter, oust ail adventurers from oflice and see to it that such men are elected a3 command the respect of the business commu- nity. Gentlemen, your work 1s larger than you tuok. It is not simply to find a criminal and to ece tuat he is puuisued, It is to create a better public sentiment on this all-important ques- tou—a sentiment that will put this great and glorious, this magnificent and gener- ous city of New York ito the keepi of her most prominent and trusted citizens. rt miay be allowed to criticise, | think this is not sum. clenuy bad in mind by the various committees. hardly dare vo say it, apa yet I firmly believe that they are oa the wrong track, The men whom I fave deemed most guilty are the farthest at this dmoment from coudemaation, while some of those for whom | have great personal respect are spat tered ali over. I am free to confess that, accord- ing \o my judgment, the two real criminals, the two Men who should be made to i DISGORGE THETR ILL-GOTTEN AND POLLUTED WEALTH and sent to State Prison for their guilt, will get off Scot free under gover of the inky blackness whicn they exude from their own bodies, These should be punished, not only in justice to the community at large, but, curious jesser thieves who are CLOSE CONFINEMENT what is due to him who gieals millions? Shall he be @ respectable citizen because he is bold enough W steal all we have? We should have in mind, too, the general demoralization which results to the young men of the community. Fraud in high io is like rain on a thatched roof; it trickles ‘hrough and falis On those who are in the house. Let the citizens of New York be stirred to real earnestness. Let them purity our primary meet- ings, our caucuses, Our elections, until it shall be proved that we are not so selfish or so avaricious that we are caeriess of our duties to the public and the country at large. God grant that good may come out of this excitement, tha. Our manhood may be Strengthened, aud that the cause of Christian truth may prevail. NEW ENGLAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. by Rev. Every Man His Own JudgeSerm Dr. Merrill Richardso: A large and, as usual, fashionable congregation met for their Sabbath worship yesterday morning in that delightful bijou of a church. the New Eng- land Congregational churcn, corner of Madison avenue and Forty-seventh street. Rey. Dr. Merrill Richardson, the pastor, preached the sermon. The subject Was Pa SELP-JUDGMENT. Be took for his text John xul., 48—“He that reject- eth me and receiveth not my Words hath one that judgeth nim. The word that J bave spoken the same will judge him in the last day.” Christ came to save, not to condemn. Men must judge themselves, His theme was “self-judgment.” Men must judge according to the light they have, This was so im the time of Confucius, long before Obrist came into the world. it was 80 sometimes committed suicide, as they do now, to escape condemnation, It i880 now, Men stand in judgment over their fellow men. It nas been 80 Since the human race beaaa, and 1 will continue while the haman race lasts, At this bar are Tt tes in tne very Datu pot men te) a ry nature of men to judge and to be e Judged. ‘The press 18 a great power i Ragment God can wink at sins In an age of darkuess that he wil call for judgment in an age of light. Polygamy might be tolerated in the pepiecnal ays, but not to-day. After knowing he parable of the good Samaritan 1t will not do to Ee by a fellow being in distress, If we had lived in the times of Abraham we would have adopted his views and practices, After tracing out this idea he proceeded to show that God aims to elevate this world by pouriog i ore light on the great ques- Hens of iignt ahd natlons isa power per er of exaiuple 1s universal. It applies to socicty, © morals, to religion, Light must take time to work its way. Everything must stand on its merit, Il- lustrating this trath at length by referring to nota- bie inventions, he went on to speak of the judiclal wisdom of God in this selfjudgment. Complaints are always being made that the judgments Of thts world are not just; that money and social Position can be made a power to influence judg- ment, No lawsuit results satisfactorily to all par- tues. Lay down the rue, * GIVE EVERY MAN HIS DUB, and society would be shattered; not a king or em- Pperor would occupy bis throne. It would be @ great thing if we could haye a metre to measure charac- ter, In the tinal judgment there wilt be no depart- ure from justice, It will come up how a man acted according to the light he had, Each man will be his own judge and jury. The recording ange! will open the record, a record each man makes up for himself. le urged, ta continuation, that they were daily making up their records, and conclu.tea with an carnest and eloquent appeal upon each to make =o such as they would wish to lave it in the nal day. CENTRAL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. Curistinn Work and How It Can Be Donce— Sermon by Rev. Andrew Lonarcre. The Rev. Mr. Longacre, having returned from his summer vacation, preached the Word of the Lord yesterday vo his people, basing nis morning dis- course upon Philippians tv., 13—“I can do all things turough Christ, which strengtheneth me.” To be confident of success, he said, is to go far to secure it, Let a man carry tnto his dally life a heart strong and courageous and he takes the world at an ad- vantage. A brave man with @ strong heart will turn his conflicts into victories. His very hardships wil make him greater and his victory more certain and Ulustrious. But a man that doabts will go fal- tering on his way, and will fall mto the very evils he dreads, while the other will escape the trouble he anticipates. To live a good life in a bad world involves con‘icts and troubles, but A BRAVE MAN WILL FIGUT and win. It was the unfaithful servant, you remem- ber, who was afraid; and at tho last it is the fearful and dhbelieving who will tremble in tne judgment, The inspirations to courage in man were Indicated by the preacher, and faith in God was declared to be the Christian’s inspiration. The words of the text are therefore the expression of lofty Christian courage. Itwas not an idle boast of Paul that he could do ali things. Ale haa come to that assurance through storms and conflicts of which we know nothing. The duty of taking a courageous view of Christian life and of the obligations which rest upon us was pointed out. The toxt indicates the nature of true courage and how we may become brave. And We ought to be able to say, as Paul sald, “I can do all tnings.”” Yet aman may say that and make @ great mistake. A man may be brave when he does not know what is before him. There are men who reduce the law of God to their own stan- dard; who say this commandment is wo strict, or that is too severe; Who take out what does not suit themselves and leave in what does. Or, if they don’t do that they say this is to be understood in spirit and that in intention, but not in fact; and, as iu other things, so also in religion they GIVE THE WILL FOR THE DkED. Tllustrations of this false falth were given and the unpregnabllity of the man who rests in it. If a man rests in feeling rather than in obedience to God be is ina delusion. He may pray ‘‘Thy will be done,” but he adds so far as it accords with mine. It would be easy for & man, looking out on such 4 life, to say I can do all things. He may have good courage in such a tlfe, because it 1s fasnioned without regara to Christ’s law or will. But the apostle did not Tmean such a life when he said, *! can do all things.” His “all things” reached up ana out to the full ineasure of duty and the demands of Providence. He accepted the law of God to be kept honestly ahd with @ conscience void of offence to- ward God and men, not aliowin; engi a preadt an yon aa pe looked at it, hi en, ¥ re » he ec! pred et ean do all things." What his ‘ail things” were are indicated in the preceding verses. Noh he says, “that I speak in respect of want, for I with to becoutent. Jknow Doth how to sed a how to abound; he ere and in ali things [ am instructed botn to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ, which strengtneneto me.” Our noly ave learned in whatsoever state I am there- NEW YORK HERALD. Sora’ Stee ikke rhs | of theolozy, divine tu its Character, before our eyes, proving that He came not to destroy, but to full, Our Lord makes no exception while teaching us our duty to God, proving that we can only love Him suitably by loving Him without bounds. As Crea- tor, we owe Rim our existence; as Saviour, our freedom from sin’s dominion; as Sanctifler, we’ owe Him all gifts and graces we may possess. Hence our love for God is not compared with any other, It | is only similar to His love for us, fils thirst for our salvation, All things proclaim it, both in heaven and upon earth, and to Him is due all our praise, for His loving mercy endureth forever. “And the sec- ond is like unto this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Here the measure of our love for our neighbor 13 the Christian love of one’s self. In a pagan manner men are prone enough to love them- | selves, and seek mere earthly pleasures: hence It be- comes us to ponder on eae eo See we i§ THE MIND OF CHRIST fa the maitef’ of foving one's seit? “Truly Christiaa sel{-love Is found only by those who avoid all mortal sin—among those who thoroughly repent, if they have falicn through human Weakness, and who finally bring forth good deeds or works worthy of reward, Thus the lowest order of self-love 1s care for our body and its real needs; 80 also we should assist our neighbor, He who truly loves himself will abstain from all excess, which so freqnent! shortens life and hastens decay, All our lawtul faculties are to be properly trained, PASSIONS RULED AND KEPT UNDER entire sway, honor and good name jealously guarded and a proper self-respect always main- tained. Thus doing also for our neighbor we will have, in the lower and more material order, per- a our part of loving both ourselves and our But ali this is merely the first step. We must take care of our soul, purchased at the price of our Lord's blood. Hence we must avold sin—any trans- gression of God’s law. @ ruinous service of sin is Plain from its wages—namely, death. It is also de- foams and vile, destroying our health of body and uroing our souls with remorse, So far asin us tes we must cause others to fee from sin and avoid thus the wrath tocome. Le who does not do this LOVES NOT HIS NEIGHBOR 43 HIMSELF, Should any one have the misfortune to fall into sin he must not delay his repentance, but fly at once to the fountain, always open, of our Lord's mercy. Let the fallen one remember that deatn may overtake him unless he Promptly repeats. Especially in these days, to whic! aud sickening loss of life almost daily occars by land and sea, let no delay be at ail ermitted. Rise promptly from sin and learn the lesson of your own weakness and needs, Finally, to love ourselves properly and according to the Christian manner, let us perform good works, These are necessary for salvation, and we are bound to work while it is day, We do not love our neighbor if we withhold from him succor in his need—help in his indigence, or kind assistance, whether in word or decd, in his trials. ‘There is no need unfelt by our Lord, and if He rewards with life eternal EVEN A CUP OF COLD WATER, given in the name of a disciplo, what will not be the torrent of graces sent upon those who cause the work of Goa and of His Christ toadvance? You have @n occasion to-day to prove that you love your neighbor by giving to the great work of phe mission and aiding thus voluntarily anew and poor dilo- cese, Thus the generosity for which you are well known will be directly applied—gain “for you not oniy our prayers and a remembrance at the holy altar, but also be rewarded by Him who fails not to courage must take not only the easy and pleasant, the noble ood the grand, but ago the lowy and tas Moye A Pg, oro ing. We may quer poe to Buffer father fap ie do 3 things. Referring to the early death o1 a lady iouary, the reverend gentleman said God often stops us in the midet of our labor and usefulness. ere 18 aha ia the Master’s vineyard for all classes—work OF SPIRITED MEN AND GIFTED WOMEN, and for those also who never rise above the lowest ay ag It 15 @ grand thing to be always ready for work, but grander to be ready for poor and lowly work, The “all things” of God—not what the Christiaa desires or pants after, but what God sends—these are what the Apostie said he could do. The personal effort implied in the word ‘‘do”’ was next clucidated. We cauuot realize too fully that in this work the strain must come on our muscle and brain and nerve, and that we have to bear the sure and the pain. And in view of all tl feeling all this, that we must be able to say, “I can do all things.” God never asks us to do anythin angelic or superhuman, It is all human wor' shaped down to the level of our measure and ability. It 48 the steady right doing of all that comes to us as the work drops out of God’s hands moment arter moment and day alter day. And he has qualified us to do his will. Every man’s work is in himself alone, and not in another, and it demands all of him; and as our service takes In “all things,” tt demands a@ he and willing use of ali our powers— the things” of our life merging into the “all things” of God’s will and becoming one, But we have failed hitherto in our attempts to do all things. How shall we succeed? Through Christ, who strengthencth us. Thank God that any man and woman here can say as Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ, which +trengtheneth me.” This thougnt of the text was more fully and clearly elaborated, amd te congregation were warned against TRUSTING IN 4 DEAD CHRIST— @ crucified Redeemer, or in,what He did for them on Calvary, but rather tu what He does for them now, and w: He has promised to do for them aud be to them— om, ond righteousness, and santification and redemption. The power that we speak of is nothing but this. The higher life, the Christian per- fection and holiness that we hear of is nothing but this—to be able to do all things through Cirist, who sirengtheneth us. The audience were therefore ear- rng urged to strive after and to attain the faith which shall give them Uus power, ST. STEPHENS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. Sermon by the Right Kev. Dr. Becker, of the Diocese of Wilmington and Delaware—Love of God and of Our Neighbor—Analysis of the Comma emt. At St. Stephen's church in Twenty-cighth street the services yesterday were particularly briluant, and at ali the masses and at vespers in the after- hoon thousands of worshippers filled the gorgeous edifice. Nowhere in the city are the ceremonies of the Catholic Church carried out on such a magniq- cent scale as here under the direction of the pastor, the Rev. Dr. McGlynn, and the result is that ali the aristocratic people of the city who belong to the ancient faith fock here on Sundays to be aaz- zied by THE SPLENDOR OF THE WORSHIP and edified py the deep religious sentiment that pre- vails, At the seven o’clock mass yesterday morn- ing the novel spectacle of a procession of temper- ance men, 600 in number, an association that be- longs to the church, attracted considerable atten- tion, and ali these received the communion. At nalf-past four o’clock in the afternoon the church was crowded to repletion during the vespers, at which Bishop Becker (for the second time yester- day) preached, the discourse being devoted to a doctrinal exposition of the dignity of the Blessed Virgin. The music at the yespers was, of course, superb, as it also was at the high mass in the morning, which was celebrated by the Rev. Father Lyon. In accordance With the announcement made the previous Sunday, Bishop Becker preachea at the high mass, taking his text from Matthew xxii., 37-89—Thou shait love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind, This is the greatest ana first com- mandment, and che second 1s like to this—Thou shalt jove thy neighbor as thyself. Tous was answered tie question of one who wistied to betray our Lord into some wora or act against the law of Moses, amd weaken iis claun to ue tite of “HR TEACHER SENT FROM GOD.” The concise power of Christ’s words makes a raptd jw ancient Greece and Rous, La those days Men digest of Lae CoMMmandMenYs, and places & Ssyhopsia bless even the widow’s mite, and rewards those an hundredfold here below who love God above ali things and their neighbors a3 themselves. The coilecttons at all the masses were in ald of the Bishop's diocese, and amounted to a handsome sum. ST. ANN?’S ROMNN CATHOLIC CHURCH, The World Arrayed Against the Church, Morality oud Order=Sermon by Father Preston. The gorgeous edifice of St. Ann’s was the scene of @ larger congregation than has appeared there since the exodas to the country took place. The service ‘Was Of unusual length, owing to the performance of Rossini’s messe sdlennelie by the choir. High mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Poole; and the ser- mon preached by Father Preston was a truly power- ful and Impressive one. He chose for his subject the gospel of the day, and an extract from the Second Epistie of St. Paul to the Thessalonians, iL, 1-ll—“For the mystery of iniquity already holdeth, &c." It seems, he said, that the words of the apos- tle are appropriate to these times and to the present day, and I wish to call special attention to tne prophecy which I have just read. It is of the highest importance to us, who belong to the household of truth, to read the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and to strengthen ourselves against those dangers which may rise in prospect. The prophetic words were spoken after Jesus had sent forth twelve despised fishermen to evangelize the nations, to subdue the earth. Nevertheless, Christ sent them to be the prey of those who were hostile to his reli- gion. Your armor shall be the wisdom of the ser- Pent, and the simplicity of the dove; they shall persecute you from house to house, and your lives you shall give up for me; if they hate me, they shall also hate you; and if they consign me to an ignominious death, how shall they spare those who are my disciples? ‘(Iniquity is already in tne world,” says St. Paul. It shall first endeavor to | ori) pe trutn by fre and the sword, and when ‘a this fi THE SPIRIT OF LYING shall prevali, and wicked men will proclaim that the Church 1s an enemy of truth, freedom and hu- man Wha Gur And when men yielding to the spirit of lying shall have become imbued with It, then will the Lord Himself come to pull down the ealfice of crime and vindicate His Church and His people. How and to what extent these propne- cies nave been fulfilled in the past you know; how they may be fulfilled in the future we may conjec- Dg tacks on the truth; ing it in one manner it will attack truth under an assumed name; and so the bark of Peter shall never sail On an untroubled sea, nor spread its salle Uo & prosperous breeze, What has been the record of opposition in the past? Christ Himself, God-man, was crucilied. He interfered not with the laws—Ho did no wrong: He healed the sick; he raised the dead; he cast out devils, and brought comfort to many a loaded heart, What did he do to merit a death so ignomtnious? No, the world never can explain this mystery of the cruci- fixion, unless by ascribing it to the OPPOSITION OF THE WORLD, to our divine Lord himself. Then again, when, in spite of persecutions over the earth, pagan idols began to fall beneath nis disciples, paganism lifved the sword and fire against the Church, and three long centuries did she combat them. When the hour of her triumph came kings sought to become her masters and to rule her—to sink tne spiritual beneath the temporal. These powers likewise she subdued; she freed the peoples of Europe, sanctified the marriage tie, and rought them to a civilization such as the world has not Known in latter days. Then came the revolt of the people, stimulated by the voice oi rea- son—reason perverted against the Church of God, and for many F my] she has fought ull this, It 19 not reason—it 1s infidelity, rationalism and ua- turalism; these are the enemies of truth and justice, Does the world show her antagonism to right in lat- ter days? Look at the condition of Europe. ‘Through the influence of false progress the nations are deprived of their Christian character, RELIGION 13 DIVORCED from society and law; scarcely a king dare defend not the Catholic Church, but the very principles of Christan morality. The spitit of revolution en- deavors to pull down aynasties and to build up kingdoms. ‘The Holy Father himself has been de- prived of a title and power which he held eee right than other kings held theirs. The same spirit agitated the people. They demanded it, and “the voice of the people is the voice of God.’’ Does not all tls show the antagonism of the world to the | Church of God? Ifmen caunot resist her influence by fair means they do it by foul. The laws, ob- served alike by Catholics and Protestants regarding the a Ue, are set aside by the State, and the rulers tell them that she claims to herself privileges to which she nas no title. Turn to our own peloved courtry, Whose foundations were not laid in an- archy and disorder, nor in a denial of God. No; I find In the fathers of our republic the bellef in a far more rigid system of moraiity than can be ovserved in their sons. To what are we tending now? GOD 18 NOT NAMED, not mentioned, not recognized in civil affairs, The divinity of Christ is a iree question; for not one-half of the American people to-day believe that Christ Jesus is God. And so Christianity is counted out of politics. The tendency of the people is also toward @ sympathy with every revolution that takes place, no matter where. They don’t wait to consider whether the principles advanced by most of those Fevolationisis should ruin our own country. The voice of prudence ig stifed by the cry of ‘Liberty, equality, fraternity.” Whither will the people lead ‘us, if Dot to that spirit of rebellion which has broken out in other capitals, aud which ts hel itself brought toearth? Why have THE COMMUNISTS OF PARIS murdered the Archbishop and the clergy? The pre- late gave no offence to them, nay, he supplicated the Governor to mitigate their punishments, Why, then, Was he martyred, with a host of otuers? Be- cause the Church of God and the Spirit of Trath stood in their way. Tne Charch is the enemy of disorder and that spirit of liveralism which upturns modern society, murders priests and fills the land with terror. Only yesterday we heard the news from Rome that the Jesuits have been expelied from that city on @lying pretext. Neither directly nor indirectly have they dreamed of rebellion. They | have veen driven out because they stand in the front rank to mauitain truth, equity and justice. Is their expulsion something with which Americans can sympathize, When men who have given no offence are ejected from a city and robbed o1 their property? Shall the Catholic priest here be tarned out and pis property stolen? Our repubiic is not prepared for this yet, but what wonder would it be to see the principles which are advocated here by Americans pushed W their logical results? Let us turn to THE EDUCATIONAL QUESTION, and ask ourselves, have we aright to instruct our children or not? Why are we maligned and belied and caricatured for asserting our rights? Do we Suits of clothes and dishes of soup, will send them to an evening school or to some day school where they shall be taught to hate the religion of their fathers, We Catholics, who never violate the law, and never will, ave to be traduced for lifung our Voices against injustice, as tf we were interfering with other per-ons’ rights! The journals misrepre- sent the Catholic Church knowingly and willingly, aud the age drinks down the lies and believes them. But our enemies shail yet find that the very weapons with which they assaitus shall be turned against themselves. By destroying us they destroy Chris- tianity, and bring into contempt religion—yea, the eternal principles of justice and order, and society itself. I speak chiefly that 1 may warn those around me, as a herald on the walis of Sion, of THE DANGER IMPENDING over them. And there ts indeed danger that when God calls for friends many Catholics will not stand keg er or ged rue os we bes yo gitar o! True, the Church shall live though e iuownta ins Melt away; she shail survive when cities and nattons and dynasties are laid in the dust, mingled with the blood of virgins and martyrs, til Christ Himself shall come to crush the spirit of iutauity. Animated by these convictions let us ever bear m mind that we are not born for a day, as the insect that breathes away his brief ex- istence or as the beast that 1s mingled with the dust, We belong to God. Let us renew our faith in Christ and all the trutns which He has revealed, waiting for Goa’s own call, and be ready to follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before us to that blestabode where eyes are not wanting that view our battles through life. Our victory may 'e to be that of the Cross, but the reward of our labors will be such a8 to make us glory in tt forever. FRANCIS 8T. XAVIER'S CHURCH. Berge’s Third Muass—Full Description of a Great Musical Work—Sermon by lev. Father Morrick, S. J. Rev. Father Merrick, S. J., pastor of this beautitdl little church, preached an eloquent sermon at the Gospel of high mass, on the text from Matthew xxi, 3¢—“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind, and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” He strongly recommended the constant practice of charity; and now that all have returned from their summer vacation and commenced a new year of labor and business pur- sults, the wants of our neighbor and sympathy with those around us who may be in aMiction or suffer- ing should be a guiding rule in our lives. Charity to- ward all 18 the fundamental principle of the Gospel. BERGE'S THIRD MASS, the best of that eminent composer's works, con- atituted the musical services in jhe morning. It 1s iatensely dramatic in character—that ts, it gives a most vivid musical illustration of the sublime words of the mass, It is aiso sui generis—un- like even in its construction any other work, ancient or modern, The introduction alone ts a grand work of art. The Kyrie opens inthe key of A minor, with a solemn and religious movement, well adapted to the prayerful character of the words, it is somewhat of the mediwval Church school, grand and impressive, abounding in artistic modulations and alternating phrases for the dif- ferent voices, recalling the days when a dark- robed procession of monks wended their way trom thelr cloisters 0 some Gothic cathedral, chanting the Kyrie in subaued tones, AS HUMBLE PRTITIONERS before the Throne of Grace. The Christie is an alto solo in C, and has a very peculiar accompaniment, which in orchestral setting would be very effective. This is a solo of the most exquisite character in point of expression of mingled humility and hope. Itranges but an octave, and comprises the best notes of the contralto volce. The opening theme, Kyrte, is then repeated as a sort of echo of the tender pleading of the contralto. The effect is of one penitent begging for mercy, with the subdued murmur of the chorus as an accompaniment, A TRIUMPHANT FANFARB ushers in the Gloria, This part of the mass is writ- ‘en in four and eight parts, aud isa great work 1n itself. The opening theme is bold and joyous, as it should be, and then come some interesting’ and novel phrases, especially at the Laudamus, where the soprano and alto are re-echoed by the tenor, repeating the words as if in trumpet tone. Further down in the score we have two distinct melodtes tor soprano and bass, while the tenor continues its sin- gle fanfare and the alto sings second to the soprano, ‘he one note repeated 80 frequently by the tenor lends a strange character to the music. The “Gra- tias Agimus” 1s a baritone solo, openmng with a grand declamatory recitative. A lovely, plaintive andante in A flat follows, which is full of tenderness fod expression. The succeeding allegro, “Domine Rex Cvlestis,”’ ts a dold, OUTSPOKEN DECLARATION OF BELIEF in the existence of a Supreme Being; but there is a tinge of hope and affection in speaking of the Son, who died to save us. “Qui Toilis,” a trio for so- prano, alto and tenor, commences with the alto alone; then the soprano takes up the subject with the alto in harmony, and the tenor moves in contrary motion, producing in the various moduta- tions from key to key am indescribably beautiful eect. The “Quoniam” commences with the bassea in unison, and the words, Jesu Cnriate, a86 in dia- logue form for the different parts, The dnale, “Cum Sancto Spirttu,’’ ts @ broken fugue in alla breve time, with a very melodious subject. ‘When the Amen” 1s reached there are eight parts in harmony and the counterpoint is very remarka- ble. After the fugue comes @ pause, and all the voices ae the opening phrase, ‘‘Gloria |’ The “Credo” begins with a spirited subject for the organ alone in canon form, the bass being the first voice to make the profession of belief. ‘The chorus assent dn the most emphatic manner to the various articles in the creed. “Et ex Patre’ is one of the most beautiful selections in the mass, It is @ septet for soprano, alto, two tenors and three basses. ‘* Propter Nos’? is a duet for soprano and alto in A flat, 12-8 time, aud extremely dificult for tne iatter voice, ag the parts move in contrary motion. The “Et Incarnatus’’ cothes in this duet, the only exam- ple we have seen of such an arrangement. The Teason is 8 good one, as the MYSTERY OF THE INCARNATION is inseparably connected with the love of God for man, The “Crucifixus” is an obligato for soprano and tenor, with six different voices as accompant- ment, Nothing can exceed the passionate grief, mingled with indignation, conveyed in the an- nouncement of the Crucifixion. The voices die away in plaintive tones in the words sepultus est, ‘the illustration of the Resurrection is the most dramatic part of the mass. The organ opens with @ startling chromatic passage, typical of the burst- lug open of the tomb. The basses then announce the great event and the other voices come in one after the,other. The pi fe closes abruptly, f. f., in @ chord of the diminished seventh, A broken fugue, with asubject of three bars comes after, merging into eight parts, which give a succession of abrupt, startling discords, producing an inde- scribable effect. The ascension 18 meno mosso, calm and grave. Sedei ad dex’ram is in the key ot F, 68 time, in four parts, for female voices alone. Et tterum ventrenes est is in eight parts, a/la breve time and the words, e/ mortuus, are for four voices, SOLEMN AND SLOW IN MOVEMENT, “Et in Spiritum” 18a soprano solo in C minor, with @ peculiar. accompaniment in 6-8 time. It is a grand theme, treated in a broad and religious manner. Next follows a trio for tenor and basses in A flat, 9S time, in which the composer's characteristic fondness for contrary motion is again brought out, rendering tt very dificult for the sing- ers and no less effective. The expectation of a future life is first expressed by the chorus in tones of hope- ful and calm delignt, and then the voices break into a brilliant ava breve movement, in which occasion- all; if TWO DISTINCT MELODIES can be heard, The “Sanctus,” the next number in the mass, begins with full chorus in D of a triumphant character. ‘Hosanna’ is a melody for tenor and pass in unison, with female chorus as ac- pags bomen followed by an entirely new subject for the soprani, accompanied by all the other voices, ‘Then the female voices repeat their melody, while the male voices sing the first subject, both themes being entirely distinct, Benedtctus is a quartet in G. changing to B flat, with subject for the tenor, and ending abruptly in D. Agnus Dei isin A fat, triple time, and opens with a canon for soprano and bari- tone, the chorus answering at the end of each phrase, Miserere, Then we have @ quartet in C, changing back to the original key, with subject for the tenor. Dona nolis is an avegretio tor the entire chorus, in which the basses occasionally ask alone for pesee and are answered by the other voices. Such is a description of this remarkable work as far as can convey an idea of its many bea ttes.t It 18 yet In Manuscript form, and certainly Mr. Berge owes it aa a duty toward art and the public to give it to the world In published form. For the orchestra it offers special advantages in the accom. paniment on account of {ts Intensely dramatic cha- racter, There were SIXTEEN VOICES IN THE CHOIR = , the solo quartet being as before, the isses Werneke and Messrs. Tamaro and Bacelli. Tne jast menuonea gentleman possesses a fine baritone voice, but he does not always use it judi- ciously, nor pay strict attention to the music, A little care on his part would remove most of the defects in his singing. At the ofertory Cherubint’s lovely anthem Vent Jesu was sung as a solo quartet. Kev. Father Daly, 8. J., was the celebrant at high mass. Solemn vespers were given in the afternoon, during which Mariapi’s Salve Regina was rendered with rare effect. On Sunday next the choir sing Mozart's Twelfth Mass, without any alterations or omissions. Dr. Berge, the organist, played the overture to Gazza Ladra, ajter mass, in his usual brillant style. THE OUTLOOK FOR 1872. Social Condition of the Country—(Genernal nt the Colored People’s Candidate for the Presidency. St. Mark’s Methodist Episcopal Church -~a mission started three months ago, but now eo grown as to be altogether too large for its smal) quarters at 1,370 interfere with Protestant children’ No; but Protestants interfere with ours in their Protestant schools and sewing Schools and other such like in- stitutions, With regret be it said that some Irish- | men, Hf a Provesyape uiluistey give their childry Broadway—was addressed last evening by the Rev. William F, Butler on the outlook for 1872, The hall in which the people worship was uncomiortably Crowded. and go narrow aad iuconveuient ta the MONDAY. SEPTEMBER 25, 1871.—TRIPLE SHEET. exit that should an alarm 1¢ #!ven or excitement caused during worship a feanU! 108s of life must be the result in attempting to escape. Larger and more commodious quarters sh auld be provided promptly, either by butiding a chu¢4 or leasing an- other hall, which the Missionary Soc ‘ety could and should do, Mr. Butler's Scriptural fleurehead was taken from Frekiel, Xxxill., ¢—“Watchman, wh.Xt of the night?’’—and by this he justified himself in ving his people political advice for thelr guidance in tue forch- coming elections. He referred tothe fifteenth nend- ment, Which has added severat thousand cored voters to the country and has given this State 1.%,000 out of its 55,000 colored population. Tne divisi2ns in the ranks of the democracy and the present munictpal muadie, he thought, gave the republitea! an excellent chance to carry the State and the country for General Grant next year; but here they are squabbling and fighting amoi them- seives—Murphyites against Greeleyites, Tammany republicans againse Custom House republicans. In this contest, however, the colored people are not counted, They had no part in the making of it, and they mean to keep their hands off, Whatever party takes up General Grant the Presidential candi- date for the next four years will have the support of the colored yoters of the country. He has done great things for them, and they must endorse his acts and his administration. ‘The relation of the colored men to the labor or- ganizations and labor reform was also touched | upon, and the interests and aims of laborers white and black were declared to be identical. The re- marks of Mr. Butler received a hearty endorsement from his large audience, and no doubt at the proper time his advice will be taken, FROM NEW YORK TO KONE, Lecture by Mr. J. S. Diehl at tho Howard Mission Last evening a number of persons gathered tn the large chapel of the Howard Mission to listen to a highly interesting lecture upon Italy, delivered by Mr. J. 8. Diehl, late United States Consul to Java. Several diagrams were éxhibitea from the platform and added greatly to the interest of the lecture. The audience was largely composed of tne littlg ones, both male and female, in whose behalf the mission was established, and they paid the greatest attention to the lecturer from the beginning to the close. There were also many present who take a warm interest in the success of the mission, The exercises commenced by the singing of the hymn, “I stood outside the gate, a poor wayfaring child,” by the chilaren, whose voices blended sweetly together. After a fervent prayer the Rev. Mr. Vanmeter, Superintendent of the Mission, tntro- duced the lecturer of the evening. Mr. Diehl came forward and said that In justice to himself he shouid have been in bed, but be had promised to deliver this lecture, Up to six o’clock last evening not @ diagram was prepared nor a note written, so that, althougn I shall refer to Rome, Naples, Pompeil, Herculaneum, Vesu- vius and Venice, it will be merely a Passing notice, AS you ail know, the city of Rome was built 753 years before Christ; every schoolboy 1s familiar with the old story of Romulus and Remus; its walls stood 890 years, and the rains eXist to this day; it was captured by Alaric in the year 410 and by Genseric in 455, and in its prosper- ous days it numbered some three millions, No potentate in the world governs so many sub. jects as the Pope of Rome, meted the Emperor of Uhina. The lecturer described his journey to the Fternal City and his visit to the Unurch of St. Peter. It was tho feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul; the church was brilliantly wWlominated, and the statue of St. Peter decked and robed as I have never seen king or queen arrayed. Some thirty thousand persons visited the church that day. I saw intelligent gentlemen going forward and Kissing the toe of the saint. Some intelligent Catho- lics believe this to have becn a statue of Jupiter made to do duty for St. Peter, which led Dean Swift to say that it was a statue of Jupiter turned into a Jew-Peter, (Langhter.) st. Peter's is 458 feet in height, 654 feet long and 275 fect wide; it covers five acres and is sald to have cost from sixty millions to eighty millions of doliars in gold. St, Paul’s, in Lon- don, covers two acres and cost $3,750,000. Speaking of the baths in Rome the lecturer said he hoy the reform made here lately in regard to pub- lic baths would teach every one the glorious luxury of a bath. People would then be more cleanly and More pious—a little more water and a litle less whiskey. The present Pope has interfered to pre- serve the Coliseum. A prophecy existed in regard to it which has not proved true. “While stands the Coliseum Rome shall stand; when falls the Coliseum Rome shall fau; when Rome falls tien Talis the world.” I know of no finer fleld for missionary labor than in Rome, not even from Pekin to Calcutta, Bagdad or Terra del Fuego. \ eens * else than in thé service of God, Tender wsouls enkiadled by the bapttam of and fed by daily communion with -elt and turn hearts to Christ whem rach them. — The question was nothing else would m. it that Whitield sets the asked once:—Why ig. “ply was, “Because he la world on fire?’ and thé x, on fire himselt.” ¥. ety of the was The iast criticism upon the ‘and discontented that there were too mauy unrestfu, of the Bible everywhorn. compassion 1, the Holy Ghost _ the skies, would n. Professors of religion. The rettgio. enforced by Was joyous, and the lesson it taught, | joy and the lives of saints of old, was one o happiness, ® “uch 1 preacher dressed the severe criticisms in. 2 & mild and polishea style that the con; athe. might readily endorse all the statements without have ing it brought home to them.—‘Thow, art the man? ORDINATION OF A MISSIONARY, At the conclusion of the sermon Bishop Janes, who has just returned from attending the Western conferences, apparently in excellent health, stated that he was present to ordain a young iter Wao wonld sail in a few di for a distant missionary field, He invited the elders present to come within the chancel, and in response to the invitation the ‘unprecedented spectacle was witnessed of five regu- larly ordained ministers and attendants at St. John's every Sabbath rane trom their seats and going for- ward to participate in the ceremony—viz., Rev. Drs. Harris, De Puy, Porter, Saxe and Foster. Dr, Harris. the Missionary Secretary of the Methodist Episcopal Church, presented the Rev, Joseph BH. Gill to the hop to be ordained deacon. The form applicabie to this grade of miaisterial service was read, after whicly the Bishop sata that it was not the general practice to ordain to the ofilce of deacon and elder tn the same service and on the same day; but in the cuse of foreign missionaries, where young men wes about to leave our country for distant ficlds of labor in the cause of the Divine Lord and Master, the authorities of the Church performed this double ser- vice of ordination. ‘The brother now being ordained was (0 gail in a few days for India to give labora, and his life if need be, to the furtherance of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in that land. The Bishop then invited the entire congregation to unite ia silent insanneasory, prayer that the brother now be- ing set apart for the high functions of the ministry ight receive those gifts and inspirations of the Holy Spirtt by which alone he could fulfil that night or, prt individual in this congregation, con- tinued the Bishop, who has formed purposes to live better, to be Christians of a higher type, holier im life and more useful in conduct auring the sermon this morning, can only keep that purpose and carry Out that vow bv the help of the Holy Spirit. And, blessed be God, you may have that help; but seek The munistera iy preach Christ so as to have their ministry the power and wisdom of God unto salvation by having resting ya them continually the uuction of the Boy Ghost, Our suflictency for this work ts of God; and is it not pre-eminently true of one who goes to heathen people to stand up in heathen darkness, surrcunded by all the discouragements and embar- rassments of heathen life and institutions, to preach: Christ to them as the only Saviour for mankind ? Does he not need—must he not have—the Inspiration of the Holy Ghost? must he not have the power of God on him all the while, and be conscious that the Divine Spirit ts within him, sustaining, strengthen- ing. male and giving success to his holy mints- Tavions: This feature of the service, when the whole con- g@regation remained for some moments tn silent rayer, Was peculiarly solemn and impressive. Not jess than six ministers partictpated in the exeroise of the imposition of hands upon the intended mis- sionary evangelist—the venerable and beloved Bishop Janes, the Wesley ot America; a TLRS ODORR, secretary, an assistant editor of a religious journal, an ex-Book Room agent, the pastor of a big church and two ex-ministers. In conclusion, the Bishop expressed the hope that mothers would devote their, sons to the missionary. work, and introduced the newly ordained evangelist to the congregation. LEE AVENUE REFORMED CHURCH. Furewell Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Carroll. The Rev. Dr. Carroll, of the Lee avenue Reformed church, having resigned his charge recently, owing to diMcultiesin the church, preached his farewell sermon last evening, a large congregation attend- ing. During his sermon Dr. Carroll said:—The word “farewell” invariably and at once awakens the most heartfelt and heartful emotions. With it are asso- Clated the tenderest feelings, the kindest recollec- tions. It implies also the parting of fricnas—a parting in some cases trying, but still necessary; trying in proportion as friends are bound together, not merely by the ties of human friendship, but by the ties of Christian love. Such were the ties that bound Paul to the Corinthian Church when he said, “Brethren, farewell! The direct and original ref erence was to the separation of preacher and people. How pertinent and tender and solemn, then, the application to you and to me this night. The hour of severance approaches. ‘The endearing tie that has bound us together is Just about to be broken. Let me here say a word of the Pope, whom we called upon, and found him to be a friendly, urbane, good looking, good natured, old gentlemen, Among other hospit in Rome 1s one where they have some eight hundred foundlings. One imstitution established there might be tniroduced with good effect in this country; it gives dowrics to young ladies to enable them to get married, (Laughter.) ge number of diagrams, exhibiting the work done by the primitive Christians while in the cata- combs, their rude works of art, with their inscrip- tions being extremely interesting, were explained by the lecturer, ‘Some people have said, ‘See Naples and die;” but Isay, ‘See Naples and live.” In ancient Pompeit temples were erected in honor of Egyptian gods— Jupiter, Venus and Isis, Here Cicero, the Em- peror Claudius and oshers had their villas. We saw the charred remains of human beings, preserved by the ashes for 1,500 years. Asan eminent writer nas said, ‘Vesuvius did not destroy Pompeii, but pre- served it.” Diagrams of the ja of of Plomedes, restored houses and the excavated streets were also exhib- ited, as found by a French engineer tn 1648, At the pres By the lecture Mr. Diehl was warmly ap- jauded. x Rev. Mr. Vanmeter then made an appeal to those present for money, clothing and groceries, and stated that the people at Trinity Building had given them 100 tons of coal. If 850 ladies and gentlemen would give $25 each it would be sufficient for the institution tid the Ist of next May. The congrega- tion of Madison avenue Baptist church gave $1,600 yesterday morning to tnis institution. SERVICES IN BROOKLYN. Interesting Ordination Service at St. John’s Methodist Church—The Rev. Father Fran- sioli on the Liberty of the Catholic Church—James Beecher’s Views on Active and Honorary Church Membership. ST. JOHN'S METHODIST CHURCH. Defectiveness of Modern Piety—Interesting Ordination of a Foreign Missionary. in St. John’s Methodist Episcopal churcn, Bedford avenue, Rev. Dr. Chapman preached a short, prac- tucal sermon yesterday morning from Revelations, iL, 4—“Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee.’ After a few introductory words he said that his object was to point out some of the defects in the practical piety of the Church of the present day. The first was the want of personal holiness as com- pared with the requirements of the Bible and as set forth in the example and character of Christ, With- out holimess no man would see the Lord was an absolute declaration. Christ led a spotless life while upon earth; but there was a visible difference be- tween the lives of Christian professors and the life of Christ. Pride, self-indulgence, covetousness and selfishness, blurred, if not obliterated, the true Ohristian life of many of the members of the Church. The imconsistent lives of a great many professed disciples was dilated upon, and the com- parative want of the ineMciency of the Gospel to Teach the masses was attributed to this cause. The second criticism he made was the fickleness of the ploty of the present day. The religion of the Bible was constant and steady, life-long in its existence and manifestation. This uniformity characterized the natural world; and not more destructive would be unsteadiness among the planets than caprictous- ness among the lignts of the moral world. A half- hearted, periodical Christianity was of little value to the world, if not a posttive injary to the Church. An old writer bad said of such people:—‘They are by turns the pastor's comforters and tormenters; God and the devil seem equally to claim and disown them.” The third criticism made upon the piety of modern times was that it was not pur- sued as the supreme end of life, By too many the honors, pleasures and riches of this world were primary, while the honor that came from God, the imperishable riches of vital piety and the undying pleasures of religion, were held of secondary Import- ance, No infidel coula do the Church one-half the harm or hinder the progress of Ohristianity half as much as the pledged disciple who read the corrupt ing romance in preference to the Bible, who took more interest in the gay assembly where Goa was forgotten than in the gatherings of His people, who had more zeal for this world than for that which is tocome. Toe disciple of Christ should be a man of one Work and one idea. Another defect in tie re. ligton of the present age was the absence of thorough Christian charity, Christ was the licaria- tion of love, and jearaing, eloquence, zeal ox any other quality would not convert the world tn the absence of genuine Clhiristian love. here were too much coldness and formality in the Church; 80 that now tt comes to be an accepted fact Uva en- WhusiasM, ALA GArycg\yess Mh’ Characterya, man The next Sabbath’s sun will rise on me without a flock and on you without a shepherd. The time has come when as pastor, and with tender, sorrowful re- gret, Imust take my final leave of this sanctuary, this desk and all the familiar faces and objects here asso- ciated alike with the labors, nopes and joys, the trials, disappointments and sorrows of ministerial life. The time has come when I must say “farewell,” a word in its impart, having reference to tme past and time to come, suggesting memories of the pass and hopes for the future. Indeed, the utterance this talismanic dissyliable resurrects the past, which, as it rises before us, chaliengea review; and then It draws aside the mighty curtain of the future, the futuro of the mortal and {mmortal, which, as i€ beckons us on to survey it, bids us view there the repository of the results of our life work—the gar- ner of LIFE’S GOLDEN MARVESTS, the place of the fruition of life's hopes. While memory and hope are thus busy I parpose, aa most benlteing, the place, occasion and hour, taking a re- view of the past and an outlook over the future of my ministry. In the searching, solemn introspect and retrospect suggested by the good, ‘le word of my text, I can say hambly, but truly, I have en- deayored to know nothing among you but Christ and Him crneified. e central figure my ministry has ever been the sacrificial Lamb of God. I ever endeavored to preach: the Gospel and nothing else, as the wisdom and power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. And as we were allowed of God to be iy im trust with the ministry, even so we speak. ministerial services on the Sabbath have not been rendered merely to make a part of the sum of your intellectual entertainment. Ihave not made my miuistry tributary to the GIDDY ROUND OF WORLDLINESS and sinful amusement; nor in my ministry have T run a carecr of merely literary or professional am- bition among you; nor in my ministry have F ag on secular or semisecular themes. have preached the Gospel, and the Gospel only; first, because yoa have entered on a spiritu: life whose first puldations were excited and whose continuance is promoted only by this Gospel, which is ‘the resurrection and the life” to dead souls; be- cause you have a character to form for the present and fature scenes of your being which can only be effected by the transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ. I HAVE PREACHED THE GOSPEL to you who are not Christians because it is the only means of a moral resurrection and a life to your immortal souls. I have preached tne Gospel with the tone and in the — spirit of charity; I have reached it fearlessly; I have preached it with reference to final account. And now what of the future? What ts there ta make this farewell joyful rather tnan sad—rather than a blight—a radiant prophecy of beatitudet What is our nope or Joy or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of tne Lord Jesus at His coming? Ye are our glory and joy—the mutual Joy of pastor aad people in heaven, resulting from ‘their changed condition, from tholr perfected char- acters, from their mutual sympathids. Dr. Carroll closed with an appeal to his people to meet lim im the presence of Jesus. PLYMOUTH CHURCH. True Worship—The Heart the Only Templem Sermon by Rev. James Beccher. Rev. James Beecher preached yesterday morning in Plymouth church, to @ very large congregatio! from the text found in John iv,—‘But the hot cometh, and now 18, when tne true worshippers shall worship the father tn spirit and in trath, for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.” He said:—Is our Lord going w destroy the old temple worship? No, He ts not going to destroy, bus to fulfil, in the old dispensation there seems to be little individuality in religion; little of the direct relation between God and man. Men were religious and irreligious in bulk, The early development tended to this result, There was not much left to in« dividual work. There was thelaw. The command was KREP THE LAW, whetuer you like it or not. It was a mechanicat kind of religion, adapted to an early state of devel- opment. It was what the rule 1s. in the household of tathers over young children. It didn’t givo the reason for the commana any more than you give reasons for your commands. This was the childhood of the race, and God gave His laws and affixed a. penalties, All Old Testament religion centered around the altar of God, and when men would wor- ship they worshipped at the altar. Religion was a system, of laws and obedience, without any heart communion, And yet wesee a continued progress here, from the ramily altar, through the tabernacle to Me solidly built ample. I suppose the religion- ists in the temple thought that they had reached 6 climax; they did not know what we are just ae eed learn, that God is never dony; that all He has done ts bat STEPPING STONES TO SOMETIING MIGHRR. The revelation of God ts always the sane, but the measure of the revelation tg Limited by the capachy of men; and tt there Is ever a perfect revelavion 1G will be through perfect men, As men reach new developments there wii always seem to be new revelations, The temple religion was a9 the nurs. ‘ }