The New York Herald Newspaper, December 31, 1871, Page 4

4 NEW YEABR’S DAY. How It is Celebrated Abroad and at Home. LE JOUR DES ETRENNES. The Theory and Practice of New Year’s Calls. Ancient Ceremonies Peculiar to the Day. . . . . The King of Light, father of aced Time, Hath brought about that day, which is the prime To the siow gliding months, wnen every eye Wears symptoms of a sober joiiity. . . * * * among all civilized nations, and more especially among those of Northern stock, the death of the old year and the birth of the new are celebrated with Special rites ana ceremonies, some of which are colored with the solemnity befitung so grand a crisis in the fight of Time, while others are marked with the wildest and most enthusiastic rejoicing. We have all of us passed through these checkered experiences, and, standing between the year that bas fied and the year that has gilentiy begun its course, have abandoned our- selves to mmngied influences of regret and hope, puzzled ourselves, perhaps, to say which were the stronger. Looking back we have contemplated with a sigh the ravages of time and death, and have mourned again for departed friends and wasted op- portunities and injuries given and received. Look- ing forward our faces have brightened at the pros- Hl pect of many a coming revel, and perhaps, also, of added prosperity and a welcome increase of frienas and Kinsmen. But how various are the results when the balance is thus struck between the past and the future | To the unhappy and the unfortunate hope and gladness seem forever fled; the days to come re but few ana evil—a gift to be received with in- difference, not welcomed with joy. Butto the lucky many—for, after all, there can be no doubt that Ufe1s to the majority of mankina more full of sweet than of bitter—the new year 1s radiant with the fore- glances of coming happiness, and bright with the hues of eagerly awaited pleasures. Crowded with the strangest contrasts, and fragrant with many an unforeseen turn of Fortune’s wheel for both weal and woe, another new year begius its strange, eventiul history with the echo of the last stroke of this very midnight. New Year’s Day has many religious claims to at- eention. In the Roman Caihelic Church 1 is appro- priated to the honor of along list of saints—St. Fulgentius, bishop and contessor; St. Odilo, sixth abbot of Clani; St. Almachus, martyr; St. Eugendus, Bbbot; St, Mochua, or Moncaim, alias Claunus, abbot in Ireland, and St. Mocuua, alias Cronan, of Bawa. in Ireland. Its greatest claim to the dignity of @ religious festival lies in the fact that it is the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord; and It ts observed on this ground both by the Roman Catholic and Episcopal Churches, New Year’s Day is also honored, on the score of the general Bolemnity of the occasion, by nearly all other de- Dominations, The Presbyterians observe it with services of especial fervor and earnestness; indeed, among all the Caivinist communtions the day 1s re- farded as the most solemn in the entire year—not | in itself, but on account of the feelings which It | naturally awakens, and of its being, as it were, the | occasion of a new siart“in live, the opening of another volame of the dread book of life. The death of the oid year, also, among many of the churches is marked with appropriate religious services, It is in the Methodist Church, how- ever, that these ‘‘watch-night services” are celebrated with the most conspicuous unc- hon. The congregations assemble an hour or so before midnight, and with fervent prayers and addresses and hymns of thanksgiving for past mercies Ml up the fleeting moments of the dying hour of the year. Every effort is made to convince the unrepentant of sin; the natural de- pravity of man and the constant transgressions even Of the most periect are painted in the moat vivid colors. Many @ conversion has been made at such occasions; indeed it 1s veryrare that they pass @way Without some visible fraits, Sometimes, it is trae, the extravagant excitement wnicn has marked these services has brought them into ndi- cule, but they nave doubtless done much good in the past, and deserve to be perpetuated. It ts in Scotland, however, that New Year’s is ob- served with greatest honors, though of late years the demonstrations nave scarcely been so marked as formerly. Even up to the beginuing of the pres- ent century the old custom of making friendly calls im the first hour of the new year was waintained. Towards the approach Of midnight tne family gathered together and pro- d to brew what Was lechnically known as a “hot pint’—a sort of Mip compounded of warm ale and spirits, with spice and sugar. Then all eyes ‘Were fixed upon the clock, and as the strokes of midnight slowly tolled the kuell of the ula year were filled and che toast of “Good beaith aud a happy new year and many of them! was joy- ousiy drunk to the dregs aud with ali the honors, including a general handsnaking, aud, perhaps, aiso, in very vivaciousiy minded circies, a dance round the table, with the following song:— Wee! may we a’ be, It) may we never s20, Here's to the King ‘And the gude companie. ‘Thus passed what modern New Yorkers would call the “shank of the evening.’ Its more serious Dusivess nuw begun. The aduit memoers of the family saiiied fort\: with the remains of the liquor Bnd ap appeuzing store of cakes and bread and cheese aid such like progender, and visited the houses of their frien and neighvors, ao ume was lost in setting out, dor ay increase of frieudship was aimost sure to ult from being the first to make acall. There i name, even, for such umely appear- | whoever first crossed the threshold was r, very essential, it foot? should } aud courtesy according to tradition, that tie “fi hot enter the house emptylande demanded thal every person present should take a morsel of the food and a sip of the contents of the kettle. Thus, and with loud goo wishes, was the | pew year inaugurated. Another “arst footing” of g diferent Kind is also rememobered. One of the ES of the season Was ior ajover to steal to e door of the residence of his fame and knock, in sue hope Of being received by the maiden whose image filled his peart. Were he thus fortunate, it ‘was an omen of coming union and he was lawtully entitled to @ hearty kiss. Such visits were, no doubt, generally crowned with success, for of couree ny would keep @ sharp look- out for her lover's coming; but we can @ dismay and disappointment when, by some cruel mishap, the open portal revealed tne ‘withered irame of aunt or mother, aud not the dear torm he noped to clasp, But the spiritin which a Bootcn New Year’s was observed is admirably de- scrined in the lollowing lines of Grahame:— Long ere the lingering dawo of that blithe morn Which ushers in the year, the roosting cock, Flapping oie wings, repeate bis ‘larum sbrill; ‘on that morn no busy fai oveys ie cail, no sounds but thuse of joy Balute the year—the first fout's entering step in oD the fo weicome beara, Ere biushing maids ba laugh, ibe hearty Pronoaseed wits uonest warmth, . ar And borough town the steaming flagon, bor Frora house to house, eiates tne peor man's heart, And makes bi that life iss atl ite Jor. ‘and the young—man, woman, child— alte in Social giee , even stranger Joke, Meosing with urvtiing back: soon lay abide Excuraive eesor,or wallow iohe snow. With sober cheerfulness the grandam eyes Her offspring round bi 1) in health and peace ; And, thankfad that she's epared to see this day Retarn once Tes py nad lowa gt Aad ‘That God would blessing on their tn England New Year's merrymakings have been rey immemorial, though in recent umes, like the rd Mayor's show and the scouring of the White Gorse and much of the other rade boliday mirth that once made the land of our ancestors known as “Merry England,” they bave ween shorn of a great feal of their ancient glory. As in Scotland, New Year's Eve was honored with convivial rites. The Of the house assembied his family around @ bowl of spiced ale, bearing the singularly tulle of lambs’ wool—probably derived from its being an excellent lining for an empty head— and Bev! himself piedged the health and happt- Of ail present in the expressive Saxon phrase, “Wass haci,’’ took # hearty imbibation aod then round the bow! to the rest of the company, the purpose for which it was used this drink- vessel was known as (he wassail or wassel bow!— by stall poets iveller school—the glorious Apollod pothouse. This was (he custom in great but the poorer elemenw of society ly seed the opportunity for “making & and, somewhat in the fashion of the Christ- waits, the streets of the village towO as 8000 as nightall in New Year's carr} @ bowl decorated with ribbons and beqging ivr means 10 Gu a With seaming liquor. Hile | disgrace. Of course they begged in true holiday manner—in rhyme and song and not in plain prose:— wi over as eter ‘asgailing bow! I drink to thee, i Come, butler, come, bring ua a bow! of the best; 0) But if you bring us a bow of the small (emall ale) in down fall butler, bow! aud alll Companies of children also sallted forth in some parts of the country on these expeditions of per- missible mendicancy, and here 1s a specimen of the songs they sung:— Whitat box (rem dow to door, But we are neighbors’ children Whom you have aeen before. CroRos—Love and joy come to you And to your russel too And God send you a happy New Year, rear. And God send yous New Year. Our wassel cup is made ef rosemary tree, ‘So 1s your beer of the best barley. ‘Call up the butler of this house, Put on his golden ring’ Let him bringin a ‘of And the better we ahail sing. We have got a little purse Made of stretching leather skis, ‘We want a little of your money ‘To line it well wuhin. Good master and mistress, When you're sitting by the fire, Pray thiak of ‘us poor enildren 10 are wandering in the mire. Memories are still preserved by tradition of the imposing manner in wich New Year's Eve was observed at the monasteries, when England was sul & religious dependency of the Koman Catholic church, The Abhot sat in his chair of state at the head of the reiectory table, anu as the year trem- bled on the verge of death the serving brother filled @ mighty cup, styled Pocnium Caritatis, and tho superior and all the brethren drank tn succession to each other, “The merry monks of ola” tuen held high festival through the night, making the monas- tery walls ring with their lawiul reveiry, Atter all they might have spent the time in tar less edilying employments, in most of the countries of Europe New Year's Day 1s observed as a hoilday, and has its own spe- cial rites and ceremonies of rejoicing. In France, however, it 1s the great social festival of the year, It 1s honored chiefly by the mutual interchange of gilts, and has even come to be known as “Le Jour aes #trennes,” Kach male memver of the family makes @ present of some kind to all the other memobers. No matter though the ‘efrenne” be but a sou’s worth of bonbons or comfits, 1t must be rendered, Lacies, however, are exempted trom giving; itis simply their privilege to recelve what May be offered, and us all of their friends give something, a fascinating young lady with a respect- able number of admirers and friends generally makes a very pretty little rake, in order to keep alive @ spirit of emulation among the gentlemen, the gifts are sometimes spread out on a table in the drawing room and each donor enjoys the proportion- ate amount of credit to which his measure of gene- rosily has entitied him. It is by no means just, how- ever, to suggest the supposition that the day ts thus prolaned wiih mercenary motives, There is as much competition among Paristan belles in the matter of e:rennes as among the New Yor fair in the number ol! calls, and the contest is therefore one inspired by vanity rather wnan by avarice. In oid monarchical times, also, all the members of the royal family were expected to make New Year's presents of substantial value to the King. And now, at last, we come down to the manner in which New Year’s 1s observed among ourselves. In New York this day has, from the earliest Knicker- bocker days, been honored in @ peculiar fashion, Which, however, hos since been carried by New Yorkers over mauy other parts of the country. With us New Year's ts pre-eminently the dav of the ladies. Gentlemen are expected to make calls upon: all their lady friends, and to personally wish them a happy New Year. This cusiom 1s now universally observed, although among a few of the bogus aristocracy that has sprung up among us in recent limes the visit is curialled to the simple leaving of acard. New Year’s is, indeed, looked forward to by bachelors with the profoundest interest, Ar- rangements are made weeks ahead for the hire of a carriage or sieigh, and the keepers of livery stables reap inordinate harvests of extortion. From twenty-five to furty dollars seems to have been about the ruling rate this year, though to-morrow moraing no doubt tnere will be scores of unlucky wigh's who have left over the hiring of a vehicle until the last moment, and who will have to submit to being victimized in a style worthy of the heroes of tne defunct Ring. Every one nopes, how- ever, that the ground will be covered with a mantle of snow, and that the duty ot calling may be per- formed to the pleasant music of the sleigh bells, Should this be happily the case the dearest wishes of many @ Gothamite neart will be realized. And what, indeed, can be more “awfully jolly” than to glide smoothly and swutly along from one friendiy house to another, the blood bounding with the healthy excitement of the keen winter air and the | images of beautiful women, smiling welcome and happiness, rising before the eye of fancy! The mghest flight of human genius coula hardly devise @ more pleasant mauuer of ushering in the new | year. In every home the New Year’s excitement begins With dawn, Over night the tables in the draw Toom have been spread with a bounteous store good cheer—boned turkey and sandwiches, and cakes and bdonbons and kisses, aad a thousand other toothsome trifies; while the sideboard is occu- Pied with glittering legions of glasses, commanded oy well filled decanters of various hues of vo! ‘ne last pi are at length completed; a Hnal and anxious glance is thrown at the tout ensemble of the display, and then the famty sit down to a hasty and not very hearty break(ast. Scarcely has the last morsel been swallowed than the gentlemen light th ir cigars and stroil off to the stables to find their carriage, and at once begin the nd business of calling through the long list of fidies which with carefui toretnougnt they have pre- pared. And the ladies—well, they put a jew finishing touches of leminine genius to their tollet, and, beaming with anticipation, take up their stations in the drawing room aod eagerly await their first caller. Who willhe be? Lucky mortal, whatever | Ris name, though an intimate acquaintance with the temale politics of the tamily would probabiy give youa fair chance to spell it through success- tully. The ice once broken, the stream of callers fows in a Now & company of three or rour, or again a singie cavalier passes in, and merrily express the compliments of the seasou—“A Happy New Year and many of them’'—and then pledge the ladies in some hospitapie liquor and take a morsel of cake and withdraw, leaving their names inscribed on the book which Mary or Kate keeps with rigid scrupulousness, though she, of course, jots down the memorandum with as little display as possibie. It 1s, mdeed, an easy way of showing gratitude for a ‘visit to thus demonstrate the necessity of putting it in black and white in orderéo remember it. Some young ladies, however, carried away by the fear of missing @ name on their list, run any risks to get it down, and even venture to openly write, beneath the very nose of their visitor, tne latest addition to their growing muster roli of friends. The drinking custom, only @ few years ago, became an intolera- ble nuisance, and a relorm became absolutely necessary. Ere one-haif of their visits were made gay young bachelors reached the seveutn heaven of delicious intoxication and staggered into drawing rooms and made fools of themselves in a fashion that was simply disgusting. Indeed, tis evil has by no means, even yet, lapsed into deserved | ‘The drinking 1s very light, but there are | over hospitable ladies, who preas a bumper upon their guests with sad thoughtlessne-s of the possivie mischief that may ensue. itis to be hoped, how- | ever, that to-morrow will be a more credita»le cele- bration im this respect than many of its predeces- sors. In any case, all decent people should set their faces sternly against the reckiess license and abject sell-humiliation that have so sadly often in the ast made New Year's more like @ revival of the agan Bacchanalia than a social festival of Chris- tian men. Ano:ner abuse of New Year's that ought to be abolished, and against which vigorous etforts have already been directed, is the practice among bacly- bred people of calling upon —— or upon ladies whom they have simply met ata bail, with- out making any formal acquaintance, Most houses the city have open doors, but their hospitality shoula not be thus shamefully abused. Many gentiemen, too, seem to think that they have a clear right to catry with them to any [rieadly house a8 many strangers as the please. This is 01 permissible among very inti- mate friends, and has trequentiy in the past been grossly abused. These outrages, however, could be easily suppressed by a slight exertion of social skill and a fitting exhibition of frigid politeness, How many calls can a man get through in a day? This has always been a perplexing social probiem, and there are energetic young men who claim to have made over a hundred, wiile few plead guilty to less than fifty or sixty, Taking the most liberal estimate of caling hours, however, from seven in the morning until Ling 4 this is pretty hard wors. But New Yorkers have strong constitutions, and can, no doubt, survive even 60 arduous @ Course of merrymaking as this, There is only one thing remaining to say about New Year's, and that is to wisn ail the readers of the HERALD many happy returns of the day. New Year’ Brooklyn. The citizens of Brooklyn, in accordance with the time-honored custom, expect to-moriow tw be wished a “Happy New Year,” and those who are not will certainly have just cause to feel slighted. The majority of the residents of the City of Churches have every reason to feel happy, having plenty of money and no reason to complain of a lack of ime to spend it The Mayor will tell them in his annual message tothe Board of Aldermen next week that there is no reason why they should not be happy; that the large number of new build- ings erected during the past year is a proof that the city is: growing in prosperity and increasing rapidly 1n population; that the East River Bridge, now in course‘of construction, and many other public im- rovements 18 calculated to make Brooklyn one of he best cities in the United States in which to reside. The Reform Committee are insisting, however, that they can see no cause ior happiness; tha there has been #0 much extravagance in th public departments the taxes have increased to an extent suMicient to cause the property owners to flee (rom the city. They confidently expect the new charter, which th ve been tinkering at for (we past few moutha, be adopted a4 soon as We a a a no a eee waceatare meets, ana the prospect will look more The {booming and outgoing Mayors will be at the office in the City Hall to receive their friends from ten until twelve o'clock to-morrow morning. The other heads of departments will also receive their friends at their ofices us well as at their places or residence. Patrick Tourmey, the Keeper, will expect those who are acquainted with the geography of the hall 10 find their way up to bis apartments, From the prepa- rations made by the cjtizens, the indications are that the calls this year Will be numerous, and the — wil beeven more handsomely spread than Total Abstinence in Newburg on New Year’s Day. The clergymen of Newburg have iseued an appeal tothe ladies of that city beseeching tnem to “re. frain trom the very common but pernicious custom of furnishing wine and other intoxicating liquors for the entertainment of their guests on New Year's Day.” The reverend abstainers, in the appeal, allude to the “painful fact that in the United states alone 60,000 human beings annually go down to drunk- arde’ graves,"" ‘They likewise point to the ‘sad trath aS DEC MINE 008E, men date their downward career from that fatal hour on New Year's Day, when they took their first glass from some tair hand that thought held out the tempting cup that biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adaer.’”? They close their appeal by say- ing:—“Conscions of woman’s influence for every pt gs, We sincerely ap! to you to follow the noble example of ladies in many places by withholding this ensnaring temptation from our youth, and so far as your influence goes, save them from shame, degradation and ruin.’? WATCH NIGHT. Origin of the Methodist Watch Nizht—Its Observance in this City To-Nizht. The midnight hour and two or three hours pre- ceding, by which the New Year supersedes the old, is, by Methodist custom, generally spent in prayer and other religious exercises. Night watches are @t least as old as the Jewish nationality, and are probably much older. Tne prophets make frequent reference to the practice, and in the writings of the Evangelist they are sometimes spoken of nume- rically, as first, second, third or fourth watch, and sometimes they are designated as midnight, cock- crowing or morning watch. How the closing hours Of one year and the opening hours of avother came to be observed religiously can hardly be ascertained now. Itis PECULIARLY A METHODIST OBSERVANCE, 4 a8 we know it or kuow of it. The first records we have of watch meetings being held by Methodists at the close of the old year was in London in the year 1742-3, whea the litte band of Christians represent- ing the then feeble Church met together to pray and to pledge themselves to God and to each other to live holier lives and to be more active anu devoted in the service of Go’, It was customary on this cecasion, as it is at thisday. for the people to gather in thelr respective places of worship about nine o’clock in the evening and remain together until ten or fifteen minutes after twelve o’clock midnight, The services consisted then, as they now consist, of ordinary Sabbath service, including sermon, fol- lowed by prayer, short addresses and experiences. Charles Wesley, the poet par excelience of Method- ism, Who has provided his followers wita a hymnat appropriate to every occasion and condition of reit- gious life and experience, has given them some sacred songs for Unis occasion also, One of these, usually sung at THE OPENING OF WATCH NIGHT SERVICES, $5 the 1,053 of the Methodist Episcopal Hymn Book, whica vegins:— Come, let us anew our journey pursue Roll mind with the year, And never stand still the Muster appear, &c. The “covenant hymn,” as it 1s catled, 1s the 1,054th in the hymn book, and is usually sung just before the close of the services, It'begins thus:— Come, let us use the grace divine, And all, with one accord, In a pe-petual covenant, join Ourselves to Christ the Lord, &£c. In the early days of Methodism in Engtand WATCH NIGATS ONCE A MONTH Were observed among the societies on the night receding the full moon, As a religious service it originated amoung the colliers of Kingswood, who had their regular Saturday night bacchanalian carousals; but when, under the preaching of the Wesleys and their coadjutors, those miners became Christians, they continued their carousals, but now with a hallelujah chorus. Many complaints were Made against tue shouting Methodists, and John Wesley Was appeaicd to to put a stop to the nuisance, but with his usual caution he considered it beter to spate than to hinder, and appointed one nighi in he month for such service, when he himself at- vended and preached or exhorted them. Tne monthly watch-night was afterward superseded by @ yearly watch night. in the “Uid Country” the church members fre- quently, and as many as possible, stand round the altar rails, and clasping each others’ hands, sing this hymn lustily, and then, kneeling aown, con- tinue in solemn, silent prayer for tive or more minutes, while the hand of time counts the min- utes which separate the oid year irom the new and, passing rapidly by, indicates that THE NEW YEAR HAS BEGUN. The midnight suence, so deep und solemn that the ordinary breathing of the worshippers can sometimes be heard, is then broken by @ vocal prayer offered up by the minister or some church oMicial, atter which the Doxology 1s sung and the People are dismissed. American Methodists do not give such rigid at- tention to this ancient religious custum as do their Wesleyan brethren of Great Britain and Ireland, and as the present year closes with the Sabbath very many of the Methodist churches of this city will not add a “watch” service to their regular Sunday services to-night. There are some churches, however, wherein ihe nalf-past seven P, M, ser- vices will be postponed uutil nine P.M, and be thence continued until midnight. A DUALIN EXPLOSION. viets Fi tfully Mutilated While Blasting in Lewis Tanocl—Other Disasters Kept Secret. RicHMonD, Va., Dec. 30, 1871. Lewis Tunnel, in Alleghany county, on the line of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, has again been the scene of another shocking accident, About halt-past twelve, noon, on the 28th inst., the official in charge of the Penitentiary convicts at the tunnel was informed that two of his men had been blown up on the east portal shaft. An employé sent to learn the extent of the disaster says a scene of hor- ror met his eyes. One of the wounded men had just been brought up. He was lying in the bottom of the bucket, HIS LIPS BLOWN OFF, and his face so horribly mutilated that no one would have recognized him. His mght hand was blown to atoms and his other hand badly burned. He was otherwise severely wounded in his arms and legs; particles of his fingers and nails were found blown into his arms, and his thick clothes torn to pieces and riddled by rock. The second man was then brought up, uttering shrieks of the most Plercing kind. His face was terribly bruised and BOTH EYES BLOWN our, presenting a most horrible appearance. Dr. Spicer was sent for and their wounds were dressed and sewed up. One arm, being mashed to pleces, was amputated, and one piece of a nand taken off. It appears that the boss, Dougherty by name, haa left tuem at twelve o'clock to fill three holes for blasting, and that while they were ramming one hole exploded. They were filling the hole with what is known as dualin blasting powder, another name for nitro-giycerine. Not more than a month ago there was another terrible explosion at this same tunnel from the same dualin blasting powder, by which several men were killed and wounded, the whole vop of the shaft and engine room being blown off. There have been SEVERAL OF THESE EXPLOSIONS, in which numbers of men lost their lives and otners were severely injured; but the details nave been carefully suppressed by tne contractors and those through whose negligence and careiessness these disasters have taken place. I am informed that the contractors manusactyre their own blasting powder from nitro-giycerine on the score of economy. If cock the case, ought not this matter be looked nto THE EIGHTH NATIONAL BANK EXAMINATION, ‘The committee appointed by the depositors to ex- amine and report on the condition of the above in- stitution met at the Sinclair House yesterday morn- ing, Afchibaid Johnston in the chair, and Mr. J. H. Stevenson was chosen Secretary. A long confer- ence was held, in which Mr. Stevens, Mr, Thomas Ryan and other depositors participated, Tne com- mittee adopted a list of questions to pro- ind to the receiver and the committee of stock- olders which, ib 18 believed, will elicit the information sought. Mr. Thomas McUlelland, the largest stockholder in the institution, appeared be- fore the committee to defend himself against the charge made at a late meeting of deposi that he had been engaged in speculations with the Cashier, Mr. Hudson. He most solemnly denied th deciared he haa never speculated with Hudson, and that bis interest in the pank was $14,000 in stock and $10,000 that he had on deposit. He also said he was on the bond of Hudson. The members of ‘Une committee assured Mr. McCietland that, as far as they know, his connection with the bank had been noradle, this investigation would doubtiess snow this, The committee adjourned to meet Receiver Man at the earliest opporcuaity, RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. December 31---Sunday Within the Octave of the Nativity. Religious Announcements—Herald Religious Cor- respondence—Religious Notes, Gene- ral and Personal. Services To-Day. A anion religious service appropriate to the close of the year will be neld in the South Reformed church, Fifth avenue, this morning, at half-past seven o'clock. A New Year’s sermon will be preached by Rev. David Mitchell this morning, at the usual hour, in the Vanal street Presbyterian church. Rev. William N. Dunnell will preach this morning and evening to All Saints’ Free church, Rev. P. L. Davies will oMciate this morning in the Berean Baptist church, ‘The Sunday scnool missionary anniversary will be held in the evening. In Christ church, this morning, Rev. J. H. Water- bury will preach, and in the evening Rev. Dr. T. H. Weston will occupy the pulpit. Rev. Andrew Longacre will preach this morning in the Central Methodist Episcopal church, ‘The evening services will commence at nine o'clock, at which the pastor will officiate, to be followed by Watch Night services, Rev. Mr. Sweetser will preach & sermon this evening, in the Bleecker street Universalist church, on “The Lessons of the Closing Year.” Morning services at the usual hour. Rev. H. D. Northrop will preach morning and evening in the West Twenty-tnira street Prespy- terian church, “Objections to Heavenly Recognition” will be the subject of Rev. Mr. Evans’ discourse this moruing in the West Forty sevond street Baptist church. Rey. W. . Pendleton will preach morning and evening in the West Fifty-third street Baptist church, Rey. Mr. Puilman will preach a New Year’s ser- mon im the Church of Our Saviour. Evening ser- vices ag usual. Rev. Dr. Merrill Richardson will preach this morning and evening in the New England Congre- gational church. Rev. C.S. Harrower will preach in St. Luke's Methodist Episcopal church this morning, and in the evening will deliver tue second of @ series of discourses on “The Last Things,”” Rev. Dr. Kendrick, having returned from nis sSuropean tour, is expected to preacn to-day in the Tabernacle Baptist church. The Tale of Lite’ will be the subject of Rev. Charles F. Lee’s discourse this morning 1n the Fifth Universalist church (Chickering Hall), and in the evening his subject will be “I'he Golden Fleece; or, Manly Enterprise.” Rev. Mr. bicAllistef, General Secretary of the National Religious Amendment Associauon, will Preach this evening in the West Twenty-eighth street Reformed Presbyterian church, Rev. Dr. R. D, Hitchcock will preach this morning in the Broadway ‘Tabernacle, and Rev. Dr. John Hail in the evening. Rev. Dr. Deems will preach this morning and evening in tne Church of the Strangers. Rev. Or. Flagg will preach this morning in the Charch of the Resurrection. Rev. George H. Hepworth will preach in the Church of the Messiah this morning on “The Old Year and the New,” and in the evening on “‘vhris- tlan Manhood.” . Interesting services will be held to-day in St. Igna- tlus’ church, Seventh avenue, between Thirty-third and Thirty-fourth streets. The Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at nalf-past seven o’clock in the morn- ing; morning prayers at nine; Litany, second cele- bration and sermon at half-past ten, and evening brayer and sermon at nalf-past seven o'clock, Rev. T. Hoyt will preach in the smaller chapel of the New York University (the congregation repre- senting the Southern Presbyterlam Church) this Morning at eleven o'clock. . Watch Night services will be held to-night in the Church of St. Sacrament, West sorty-tnird street, commancing at a quarter past eleven o'clock. Mrs. Cora 1. V. Tappan will speak before the So- ciety of Spirituaiists this evening ta Trenor Hall. Twe Resurrec To THE EpiTor OF THE HERALD:— “There shall be a resurrection of the dead."—Acts xxiv. In this statement we have the declaration of an event universal im its application, All the dead shall rise, but under what circumstances or whether there be a diflerence between the resurrection of the just and the resurrection of the unjust, this general proposition affords us no information. The current notion among Christians is that it is a sin- gle event, in which both the justand the unjust par- ticipate at one and the same moment, ceming up out of their graves promiscuously to the throne of Judgment to be judged for tne deeds donein the body. But Scripture discloses facts connected with that important event arranged in groups, with such marked differences obtaining between them as most conclusively prove the common theology of the day to be in error in holding for a “general resurrection,” and most clearly sets forth, in Opposition to that notion, two distinct and separate resurrections, distinguished by being set in contrast one to the other, and as taking place at different times and under different circumstances. In proof of what we have stated, if we turn to John v. we shall fnd the same generat statement as that in Acts—“The hour is coming in the which all that are inthe graves shall hear His voice and shall come forth;’? but there immediately follows the division of this general statement into two par- ucular propositions or statements. We get a divi- sion of the general term ‘dead’ into two, repre- senting classes— ‘the good” and “the evil””—and also the division of the general predicate into two—the resurrection of life’’ and “the resurrection of judg- ment,” representing kinds of resurrection. Ail the dead have resurrectioa, but the good have one kind of regurrection and the evil uave another and ditfer- ent Kind of resurrection. The purport of Scripture is, “They that nave done good shall come forth trom their graves unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil shall come forth from their graves unto the resur- rection of judgment.’ Here we get two facts, be- tween which there 18 no connection, but set in con- trast with each other. There can be no interchange of subjects or predicates. What is predicated of one Class of the dead could not, without confusion, be predicated of tne otner. hereiore it follows that there are “two distinct resurrections.” In Revelations the resurrection of the just is termed the ‘1irst resurrection,” the other, that of the unjust, not taking place until aiter the expira- tion of “the kingdom,’”’ which furnishes the order in occurrence—one preceding @ certain event and the other subsequent to it. ‘Thessailonians gives the time of the occurrence of the resurrection of the just. “Kor the Lord Him- self shall descend trom heaven * * * and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain unto His coming shall be caught up together wich them in the clouds to meev the Lord in the air.” The just are raised at the coming of Christ, Kevelations reveals the time of the resurrection of we unjust, whch 1s at the settin; up of the throne of judgment and that is at the en ot the world. Before that throne noue but the un- Just appear; for to them and to them alone belong “the resurrection of judgment.”” “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection.”” Why? Becanse itis “the resurrec- tion of life,” for which there is no judgment, for the possession of Iife is a sign of perfection, while to be dead 18 a sign of failure, the consequence of which is judgment, A briet summary of the matter finds us possessed of the following facts:— 1. There shail be a resurrection of the dead. t & particular resurrection for the just and a 8. That thor resurrections are distinct, separate and con- \Pira-—As to subjects—jast and unjust. Sxond—As to character or kin¢—resurrection of lie and resurrectiun of judgment, Tivrd—Aa to time of ‘occurrence, the regurrection of the just occurring at the coming of Christ, which 18 prior to the up of “the kin ‘and the resarrection of the un- erring 3 the of the world, after the expiration of liom." Thus we have in as brief manner as possible given some few facts upon the important and interesting question :of “two resurreotions,” sufi- cient, we think, to clearly establish that fact. When once the fact of “two resurrecuions” ts fully apprenended then is the force and meaning in- voived in the language of the Apostle Paul brought out im all its richness and Gep? (Phil, ttt, 11), “Resurrection out from among the dead’ was what occupied the Apostie’s mind, clearly intimating that the resurrection spoken of left some of the dead + Maining within the confines of the grave. it —— life implanted in the soul of the godly at the time appointed, asse itself as not hoiden by a according to the wi of the Lord Jesus re- ‘Hig Olurch—“The caves Of hell (Or NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1871.—TRIPLE SHEET, Views of a Catholic Mechanic on the Bible Question. To THE Eprrog OF THE, HERALD:— As the Bible question, in connection with public schools, has of late veen agitated in different sec- tions of the country, I would respectfully ask space in your Sunaay’s issue for these few lines on the subject, There must evideatly be some reasonable solution of the question if a little good will and practical common sense are brought to bear on tt. In the first place the American public, being Protestants as a whole, and as such regarding their version of the Bible as the embodiment of all that is needed for their guide, are led to believe, from the Opposition of Catnolics to the reading thereof, that their religion must be a composition of ceremonies anda mummeries from bygone ages, which does not bear the light of the Bible vo shine thereon. In the next place, Catholics, being aware that Pro- ‘estants of ali denominations use tneir Bible to prove all their differing tenets or opinions, regard the reading thereof in the public schools asa retigious act, or intended to implant Protestant ideas into the minds of the children, ana tnerefore object to it a8 regards their own children only. Catholics belteve that the Bible or Scriptures are to be held sacred and their teachings practised, but that they are not to be misused, which alone is to be guarded against. Although there is no Catholic Bible Society to distribute such gratuitously, stilt any one can get one at a low price on demand, and, moreover, there 18 hardiy a Catholic doctrine but can be proved even from the Protestant version— some so piatnly that it is wondered at that Proves- tants should read it without believing therein; therefore it ts at least @ mistake to accuse Catholics of diregard tor the Bivie, What woula Protestants say if Catholics, although their children might orm the majority in a public School, insisted On having their version or some Catholic book read for ali? Would not a terribie cry be raised at once against 1t? It has been said that religion should be taught at home or at Sunday schools, which could be done if ail chilaren had homes as some have the great for- tune to have; but fa that case no public school would be required, as other branches would also be learned elsewnere, Must people will admit that rehgion is even more necessary than secular knowlege. Why not, then, apply toe same logic to that? Say, lor mstance, that arithmetic or geo- graphy should be learned at home or for an hour only on Sunday. Are most of parents more com- petent vo teach children their catechism, or have they more time for it, than to teach them any secu. jar branch? And if Catholic children can be taught their religion at home, why cannot Protestants ai30 read a piece or chapter from their Bible for theirs and leave it out Of the schools if others object to itt Insisting on the reading of the Bible proves that it is wished to teach children some religion, and a3 only their version 18 used, Protestants should not be vexed If Catholics look on it as an eilort to wean thelr children from tneir own religion, if not to make Protestants ol them, and theretore object to it. If a religious book must be read, why not make a rotation? For instance, one day @ Chapter from the Protestant version; the next Irom the Cataolic or the compendium thereof, used in Catholic schools; and vo please those Who want no religion, omit pow a third day. Where all musi pay ior the building and support of the schools there is no justice in one arty trying to override others. Although Catholics are mostly poor people, and thereiore not taxed for real estate which they don’t possess, they pay tneir tull snare of taxes, as the landlord charges to the tenant much more than he is taxed, and when it is considered how many parish schouls they erect and support trom their hard earnings it will appear at once that they are taxed sufficiently, When there are public schools located closely together Catholics would mostly prefer to have theirs separate and to teach Catechism with the ordinary secular branches, as is done 1n their parish schoois; but where schools are wide apart in thinly Populated districts that 13 not pracucable, and a common school is the only alternative for poor People’s children. it publishers of different periodicals would place the question before the puolic in its true light a fair solution of it would be hastened, aud that 18 ail Catuolics desire, Let good wil, a desire to do right and the usual American common sense prevail, and we will bear no more of bible wars. A PLAIN CATHOLIO MECHANIC. “Inspiration and Infallibility.” To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:— Very often controversies are cut short by coming to @ proper understanding of the terminology mu- wally empioyea, This ra applied to your cor- respondent “J. E.” on the “Two Great Revelations,” I think wiil settle the matter. In the first place, “quod gratis asseritur, gratis etiam negatur”— whatever 1s gratuitously asserted 13 also gratui- tously denied, “Catholicus,” I think, sbased bis tenets on prvofs taken from the Scriptures them- selves, Let J. E. only look at them and “answer! them. So far Ido not see that he makes even & slight attempt to do so, What does he reply to Luke £3? Vague generalities and high-sounding phraseology may do very well as poetic fights of the imagination, but are little calculated to dis- prove specific proofs. But let us come directly to woe point If I mistake not there is a great confusion of ideas in the article referred to. When ‘J, E.’’ says that “We have literally in the book of nature 3 manifestation of the aifec- tions, &c., of the Creator, even to the most minute particulars of form,” &c., he eviaently ought to mean, “God manifesting His goodness in creation; and, indeed, God equally mantiests His goodness and wisdom by creating the smaliest insect as well as in man, the crown of creation.” In this sense St. Paul says, “In Him we ive and move and are." Andif this be the meaning of J. E., itis only what common sense teaches. But he is arguing extra || rem. “Catholicus” never dreamed of controverting this, Nor would any biblical scholar of even mediocre capacity thus have understood him. From the Jact that God shows His infinite goodness and wisdom in creating the smallest’ as weil as the greatest, | ask any impartial reader does it iollow that the Holy Ghost dictated every word, nay, even every slightest particle of a word to St. Luke (1, 3), when the sacred writer confesses that he used great diligence in attaining all from the beginning? 1, for one, am at @ loss to see the logical connection, According to the first princi- pies of logic, the terminus medius 1s wanting. Hence the conclusion «does not follow irom the premises, But ‘J. E."’ admits iin- plicitly what he denies explicitly. He says, ‘The Lord has clothed His Word with human language,” &c. Why, that is all for which “Catholicus” ever contended; for if this be true, then the language it- self or eacn word and sligniest particle of a word 18 not always dictated by tue Holy Wnost, and there- fore inspired. He seems to take ‘‘word’’ for the idea or sense of the word, and in this he had simply misunderstood the whole state of the question. The “sense’’ of the sacred Scriptures, even in the least detail, is inspired, bat by no means the “word” or ‘language expressing it. This 13 the standpoint of “vacholicus,"’ Inspiration, a8 defined by Protestant as weil as Catholic exegetical writers, is the influence of the Holy Ghost upon the mind of the writer, influencing or moving him to write, actively assisting him and preserving Lim irom error in writing. Those who maintain verbal inspiration contend that the Holy Ghost not only 6 the matter in general, but reveals all, and dictates even the very words. Hence the writer would be simply an amanuensis, He could not use his own words or language. Now let ‘J. BE.’ answer the arguments brought by ‘‘Ca- tholicus" against this opinion. But let us come to soother point, “J. E.’’ says, ‘1t needs no in{allible Church to tell us that the interpretations are cor- rect,” &c. Again, ‘the intelligent reader intel- lecthally comprenends the interpretation so far ag to know it to be true.” So much in general. But “sn particular” ne would have us accept Sweden- borg’s interpretation. Well, well; let us see if there 1g any trath in this. If every intelligent reader can inteliectually comprehend the sacred scriptures why 80 many diferent and Cea at FEL ad tations? ‘But J. E.”’ may answer, Those differences are merely accidental. But is it a mere accidental difference when Swedenborg claims to have been josen Catholics contend that the words, ‘Inig body,” denote the change of bread into the body and blood of the Lord. Protestants, however, deny it. Is this difference of interpretation merely accidental? ‘Strange, indeed, that every intelligent man can compreiend what St. Peter calis diMcult, and ‘which many interpret to their own perdition! The pg intellects, such as Ambrose, Augustine and jerome, have been more modest in,their pretensions. But of course, tnese are old {i Swedenborg is the prophet of the Lutter are tis credentials? Where the miracles? Uniess these are better than those of Christ, the aoe, the bishops and popes of the Catholic Church, think no one can be offended if we think Sweden- borg no more than scores of visionaries found in the camp meetings held all over this country. In view of these things, | am inclined to think that “Catholicus”’ would not be convinced that the days of the Catholic Church ate fully numbered, iby roading the writings of the “rand old Sweal ¢ Swedenborg.” He would rather adimit the words of Christ—that the gates of hell shall never prevail againsc tne Church. She th the Fock, a8 Gh Jgidore aera acainat Ww! has given us a law, should Pay hae us some authority to interpret it? CATHOLIC! The Second Coming of Our Lora, and now fulfilling prophectes of the Holy Bible, sucht @n apathy 13 uncnristian, unpardonable, I would here offer a Scripwurally deduced proof. thas these’ are the “Last Days’—the generation that shall not Dass away till all be “fulfilled.’? Since the Ascen- sion there have been times that a widely spread ap- prehension of His coming obtained ground, only to result, atter an interval, in dleagpoemnee 1 accordingly as the event viewed. records many sucn times. To-day, if the blind may see, and he that runs may i) fact that the Lord is near, even at the dt judge heaven and earth, Among me “signs’? dae aneimiely receding fdas rd’s coming uately pi word's there are some that beara resemblance to time when wars and rumors and a state ov genera Wickedness prevail; but there is one sign gi' which, when it appeared in conjunction wish was to stamp the very tme itsell beyond the possi- bility of a doubt to ail true Christiang—namesy, the appearing of evil spirits or Antichrist, That Anth Christ is now reveaied 1s apparent to all who rever= ently study tne Bible and their own mental con- sciousne: ‘There is @ new element in the wore. for though the interference of evil spirits in uman adairs has always been point of belief, who, until within tne last five yi could say, “1see them with other than the eye fait?” ‘The present is a time of great 8) blindness and poverty io vital religion, Star appears in the firmament straigatway covery 1s wafted to the ends of the earth, and its in- fluence upon our earth sought to be computed, bat the far more wondertul phenomenon of of another sphere -being almost sensibly perceived calls forth not even a comment, even from thi Who call themselves the watchmen of the Lord, give warning of danger io the peo! Althougty We are not told the very ‘day and hour” of the Lord’s coming, yet God bas told us of a “sign” that sball immediately precede it, to warn the fal that they may be walking in fulness of light whem. Christ shal come, suently, as a thief, upon a devil- blinded world, A. WATOHER, The Church of the Strangers—To a Stranger \ Resident. In last Sunday morning’s HERALD I saw your note and commiserated your perplexity. You wished to know where you could nd a charets with free seats. 1 have the pleasure of informing you. The ‘Church of the Straugers” 1s what you are looking for. It 1s @ Christian communion on ’ the basis of Christian unity and charity. Itis com. posea of Episcopalians, Bapusts, Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, people trom all sections of this country wud from loreign lands. ‘The symbol of their faith is the Apostles’ Creed. Those who are resident look after strangers. There are no pew rents, The churca is supported by voluntary offere ings. The richest people in New York assembie there to worship with the poorest. Not only are all the seats free, but gentiemen (not hired sextons) % meet you at the door and suow you toapew. The only thing requisite 1s to arrive early, a8 the charch is generally crowded. The service 18 at hall-past ten A, M, and half-past seven P. M. ‘Tne pastor w the Rev. Dr. Deems, who visits strangers as they need him, The church 1s 1n Mercer street, betweem Waverley piace and Eignth street, See the advere. tisement tn to-day’s HERALD. CG. B Very Good for Toombs. (From the Warrenton (Va.) Clipper.) A few days since General Toombs was expressing his opinion of a few public men in Georgia, espe- cially that class Known as ‘democrats, so called,” to a few friends at the Kimball House, and he alluded to Joseph E. Brown in suoh severe terme \ that an entnustastic religious friend of Joe’s re- marked to the General— “Ah, General, Joseph E, Brown 1s a Christian, an@ when the great day shall come, in which the carta suall give up her dead and all mankind shall be ‘summoned before the great White Throne, 0 aa- Swer for the deeds done in the body, J Brown will Lead a larger column than Toombs." “Yes,” replied the General, ‘and when God Al- mighty sees that columa, Joe Brown at ite nead, approaching, He will give chis command— Head of columa to the left. The Protestant Episcopal Cbarch. The following is the general statistical summary ofthe Prctestant Episcopal Church io the United States for the years 1870 and 1871:— Di0ceSCS..eeree0..-000 Missionary jurisdictions Bishops... Priests and deacons. Whole number clergy. Parishes, about... Ordination—deacous, Ordination—priests. Candidates for orders. Churches consecrated. Baptisms... CONLUTFMAUONS..e66. Communicants, about. Sunday school teachers. Sunday school scholars. Contributions ........ # No pce Agi bs ae the Diocese of Al- any, nor from the missions Dakota, Colorado, Nebraska, &c. ie How Wicked Are the Heathen Chineel—A Moral. (From <he Virginia City (Nevada) Enterprise] A day or two since a couple of ladies, who were out collecting money for.charch purposes, stopped at the Piutte House, Lower Gold Hall. After calling upona number of persons for contributions they asked “Joho,” the Chinese cook, to give a dollar. “Waat tor you wantee me give dolla?” asked Jona. you to give us & dollar to help the a@_helpa cnurcha !”’ cried Jonn, Ing tus eyes: poor; it needs money. Can’t you give me a dollar?” “Me no sabe cnurcha; me poor, too, you call churcha—wnat him namee?” “Christ's church,” was the reply. “No; me nogive dolla,” answered Jonn, decidedly. ‘‘Me no likee Klist; Klist wantee too trypan money, all tme money for Kiist ! Dea io the Lord. Rev. Dr, Osman C. Baker, Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died at his residence, at Concord, N. H., on the 20th inst. Rev. Herman B, Stryker, a soldier in the war of 1812, one of the oldest ministers in the Reformed Church on Staten Island, died December 11, m the seventy-eigiith year of his age. He was son of the late Rev. Peter Stryker, pastor of the Presbyterian church, of Rome, N. Y. Rev. J. C. Cooke, for many years a zealous Mora- vian missionary in the West indies, died on the 20th inst., in Philadelphia. Rev, J. H. Wingfield, D. D., rector of Trinity church, Portsmouth, Va., died on the Sth inst. Rev. Horatio T. Wells, who for many years hag been engaged in educauonal work in tl piscopal church, died suddenly a iew bi S6o He estab lished the flourishiog college at Andalusia, Pa. twenty-five Rev. James B. Taylor, for the past years Corresponaing Secretary of the sion Hoard of the southern or eg Convention, died im Richmond, Va,, last Friday, aged sixty-nine years. Fifty Yeurs a Pastor in One Place. Rev. J. B. Ten £yck, of the Reformed (Dateh) Church, at Berea, Orange county, recently com pleted his fiftieth year of continuous service as pastor of that church. ‘rhe reverend gentiéman te seventy-five years of age, having been bormat Troy, N. Y.,1n 1797, On the death of his father, im 1812, the family removed to Kingston, N. Y, Having attended for three years an academy in that place he entered Union College in 1815, graduated i= 1818, entered Princeton Theological Seminary in the fall of the same year, and in 1821 waa licensed the Classis of New Brunswick, In 1821 he ~ in the acallto the pastorate which he still holds semt-centennial of the accepted call Priately celevrated a lew days ago by services church. Though the day waa rainy there was & attendance of brother clergymen and friends venerable pastor, The only other clergyman Orange county who has officiated continuously or of the same church over half @ century Rev. Jonn Brown, D. D., rector of St, George’ Episcopal churco, Newburg, Religious Notcs—Personal and General. There were fifty-turee Sundays in the year just closing. Rev. Joseph M. McNulty, formerly of Winona, Minn., has accepted a cail from Claremont Preaby- terian church; his adaress is Bergen, Jersey City Heights, N. J. ‘The elders of the Presbyterian churches In this city will noid @ mecting at Rev. Dr. Hale’s chutol: on Thursday evening, January 4. ‘The American and Foreign Christian Union has appointed Rev, Mason Gallagher as tv Distriot Secretary fur New York city an We, d, Bennet Tyler, who has been so long and favor ably known as a Secretary of tho American Sunday ohool Union, has accented tie peattion of Bupaciie Hay sak a 4 }