The New York Herald Newspaper, April 7, 1873, Page 4

THE PLANT: OF PRACE. Palm Sunday Ceremonies in the Catholic, the Episcupal and Other Churches. FROTHINGHAM ON THE PASSION FESTIVAL, References to the Ruin and Sorrow Caused by the Atlantic Disaster. PRAYERS FOR THOSE WHO PERISHED. The Conduct of the Captain, the Crew and the Company Criticised. ——_-—_—_—_. CONFIRMATION OF (CHURGH CANDIDATES, The Death Penalty and the Murderer Nixon Discussed by Dr. Wild. The Pastor of the East Reformed Congrega- tion Sanctifying a New Structure. THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE, zhe weather yesterday was not particularly con- genial to the tastes of individuals who were antici- pating enjoyment of the clear skies and sunshine characteristic of budding Spring, which did not ap- pear, The day was overcast and damp" and the churches were rarely full, notwithstanding that ‘the ceremony of the palm has for every one a strong interest and attraction. The subject of the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem engrossed the at- tention of the pastors of Episcopal and Catholic churches, and also that of the Rey. Mr. Frothing- ham, of Lyric Hall. The terrible fate of the Atlan- tic was referred to in many of the sermons and prayers of the day, and lessons of great moment ‘were drawn from the disaster. LYRIC HALL, Palm Sunday—The Passion Week—The Atlantic Disaster—Sermon by the Rev. oO. B. Frothingham. The services at Lyric Hall yesterday morning ‘were unusually well attended, considering the menacing clouds and chilly,winds. After the ex- ercises of singing and prayer came the sermon, ‘This is Palm Sunday, Mr. Frothingham commenced, and this week is Passion or Holy Week, one of the great feasts of the world. It existed thousands of years beiore Christ was born, This festival 1s of the dying and suffering God. The passion is of the Deity. The myth had its origin in the primitive worship of mankind. THE FIRST WORSHIP ‘was of the heavenly bodies. People adored the sun, and when its light began to grow dim as short (lays approached, prayers were said for the deliverance of that deity. When the shortest day came they setup wails and sung funereal sengs. Every year this Passion Week was observed as the light of the sun began to grow dim. We seem to see in the world a weeping, self-sacrificing Provi-, dence, The world is full of pathos. The poet speaks o1 the stars weeping over the wretchedness ofman. We think of the vast wealth hidden in the bosoms of great rivers, rolling across conti- nents, that no man can enjoy. We hear a great deal about man's being at the mercy of nature. There is iron waiting ey. in the earth for man. When itis found they forge it mto cannon for the destruction oi nature's children, See how despots have ruled the land by these forces of nature. ‘Truly the passion week of nature is very long. In THE FEARFUL WRECK OF THE ATLANTIC did the ocean desire to drink up ali those lives or did the wind want te make it impossible for those wretches to be rescued? The winds and waters are messengers of the Infinite Power, and the time will come when men shall see it. That the good and wise must die and give the sacrifice freely is the lesson taught by the death of the Son of Man, Trace it in the histony of material inventien. The story began when the first inventor laid his plans before the world. Social degradation, poverty and neglect attended him. Two hundred years ago, in France, a lady, noted for her great beauty and no- torious for her vices, was visiting a madhouse. While passing through a square she heard a voice crying, “I am not mad,” and turning saw @ pale face pressed against the bars, On inquiring for what reason ie was placed there she ‘was told that he had been interested in material invention, and thonght he had discovered the power of steam, He wrote a book and prepared Maps on the subject, which he took to the Cardinal, @ man of singular sagacity, but he would not look at them. As the inventor followed him he ordered him to be placed in A MADHOUSE, Consider how that man must have been agonized, He went down to the. grave with a conviction of the value of his discovery. See the passion of that wronged man. Inventors have trod the same patas and been hanged on the same cross, ‘They have been single-nearted and simple-minded men, wie trusted their fellows and = who received a legacy of sorrow and suffering in return. For the man who discovers a new idea, a new thought or a new princtple the Passien Week ts longer and sadder yet. We and ail the world are waiking by tue light of the great dis- coverers. There was Coulucius in China and Ma- homet in Arabia, both propiets and reformers; but for them the Passion Week was long and severe. etee win His cross on His shoulder we see the Son an, His sorrow could not have been more intense than His prether’s, childless and with few friends. THE AGONY OF THE CROSS was in its duration. His agouy was.a severe one, and He was laid to His rest. He was inventor, sage, reformer, philanthropist, ail in one. The ceremo- nies in the Episcopal Church represent nothing but sorrow and regret. The lights are extinguished and there is a silence of bells. SECOND He was wifeless, AVENUE METHODIST EPISCOPAL OHUROH, Universalism Demolished Without Con- , troversy, but by an Exposition of the Visions of the Apocalypse—Oxdination of Deacons by Bishop Merrill. Yesterday morning Bishop Merrill preached in the Harlem church in which the New York East Conference is holding its annual session. The church, though large, was crowded. The Bishop chose his text from Revelations xxil., 11—“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; he that is filthy, let him be filthy still; he that is righteous, let him be righteous still, and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” There are here, sald the Bishop, four specific classes, theugh in reality they comprise only two—the good and the bad, the saved and the lost, All the blessings ef the Gospel look to the producing of moral changes in man. This is ite design, so that the unjust may become justified and the filthy may become clean, And so long men are under the Gospel there must be the possi bility of this Mat through the abounding mercies of Ged. The Bishop then reviewed the several visions of the Apocalyptic seer, pointing out their peculiarities and their references to THE PROGRESS OF THR CHURCH and of the world, that his hearers might more fully compre from the contexts the important bearing ef the text, He briefly referred te the events which are to transpire under the several visions of seven seals, seven angels with vials, and geven more with trumpets; and the Apostie, having seen time ended and the affairs of tis life wound up, the Gospel ceased to be preached, the judg- ment set and the deati, small and great, standing belore Ged, and the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven, then he declares that “ne that is unjust let him be unjust still, and he that is filthy let him be filthy still; and he that is right- ous let him be rightous still; and he that is hely Jot him be holy still.’ The time to effect moral changes has then past, and the holy will be fixea in holiness and the filthy in their filthiness, Therefore, he urged that we should prociaim that this is the period for moral improvement and that the Gospel is the power of God in this life unto sal- vation. The Bishop aiso gave a few brief refer- ences to show the impressibility of chiidheod and the increasing hardness of the human heart as the ears by, 80 that conversions of the aged are Zomparative ly rare. For their characters &re formed. aud While the possibility of change is stil =] &: ‘NEW YORK HERALD, lem vo them the probabilities are against any change 88 men advance in years. ORDINATION OF DEAOONS. The Bishop, at the close ef his sermon, ordained Messrs. J. J. H. Grofut, H. 8. Still, W. ‘y, Roden, J, Ripper, C. E. Miller, E. Watt, F. belt, J. H. Batvel . Filmer, f. J. Lansing, J. H. Ham, P. Chandler and J. 8. ‘Wilson deacens in the Methodist Episcopal church, by the im ition of hands and the utterance oi the werds teeach, Take thou authority to perce the office of a deacon in the Church of in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. He then placed the open Bible in the hands ofthe deacons and said to each one, “Take thou authority to read the Holy Scriptures in the Church of God and to preach the same.’ The class was called up by Dr, Griswold, and stood around the altar, and was by him presented to Bishop Merrill as fit candidates for the office of the ministry. Some of the young ministers were deeply moved by the impressiveness of the solemn occasion, and many of the audience, too, were visibly affected. In the atternoon the sacrament of the Lord’s Sup- er was administered, and im the evening the issionary Anniversary was held, at which Drs. Rust, Reid and others delivered addresses. This evening the ladies of the church will give their pastor, Rev. W. W. Bowdish, a reception, in which the members of the Conierence wilt participate. OHUROH OF THE DISCIPLES. First Sabbath in the New Editice—The Aims and Duties of the Society—Ser- mon by the Kev. George H. Hepworth. The opening Sunday services tn the new and splendid church editice of the Church of the Dis- ciples, corner of Madison avenue and Forty-tifth street, drew together yesterday morning & con. gregation filling to its utmost capacity the vast building. The Church, using the word in ita cor- porate sense, starts out on its new career under the most favorable auspices. Everything went off finely yesterday. The music on the new organ was of the finest, the siuging uncommonly fine and the ser- mon, by Mr, Hepworth, one of his best pulpit efforts, The subject was appropriate to their entrance into their new church. His text was Acts, xii, 10—“The tron gate that leadeth unto the city.” The Scriptures, he began, are peculiarly suggestive, When we read that certain men went into the city the mind, by @ natural law, infers from this a spiritual fact. If one wishes to get to the Eternal City he must go through THE IRON GATE. The way to happiness is hard, but sometimes the harder the way the sweeter the happiness. If you can be only satisfied that you are not relying upon your own strength, but that you are constantly aided by God, nothing can daunt you. Though the, clouds are above you there is sunshine in your. heart. It seems to me when T look back on the last fifteen months that you and Ihave been travelling towards the iron gate. The roads have been sometimes heavy, but we have learned to feel that it was another hand than ours that was doing the work, We have learned to be- lieve that the Father had really something lor us to do, and in building OUR NEW CHURCH it was not to gratity our pride or ambition, but to listen to those words that might do us good and then to be up and doing. The sooner we are up and doing the better, After amplifying with marked eloquence the duties incumbent on them as Chris- tians he proceeded to discuss the question—What right had they toexistence’ No man has aright to speak unless he has something to say. What, then. is the purpose of their new movement? These walls symbolize its purpose. When the reapers are hard at work end some one comes in with a @ sickle, they do not want his help unless he goes to work with them in dead earnest, but let @ reaper come in with a keen sickle and help them work the better or work with the best of them, and he is received with a welcoming smile, do we prefer to be idle with this great sickle in our hands, or are we in dead earnest and have we jeined the brotherhood ef laborers? Pursuing this branch of his subject at some length went on to explain their Christian faith. We staud, he said, for A SINGLE DOGMA. The foundation of our structure is implicit faith in Christ; taith in Jesus, the divine Lord, With us Christ Jesus is the beginning and end of all things. The cross on the top of Calvary claims our allegi- ance. We have stood at its foot; we have heard the Saviour's cry and we have taken Him to our hearts and have no power except from him, and -but involves the fatherhood ef God and the sinfui- ness of humanity. If you are to find even the road to the iron gate you must find it from on high. This organization is a little peculiar because it is untrammelied by antecedents. We can do what we think is for the best. We have no standard but the cross. We are bound to those dogmas which are the foundation of the universai churen. Our duty is to save human souls. We profess to be A WORKING CHURCH. IfI can help it no one shall sleep during the ser- mon or be idle during the week. This church stands for honest, noble work all the time, Let us not be lazy Christians. God hates idlers, Let us bea working church. I want it to be achurch where there shall be no caste. I preach to human beings. This pulpit 1s devoted to God’s trust. Again, said the poner I want this to be a young men’s church, For there is ne class of people who need friends 80 much as young men. So, let us have good lectures and music, that they may spend their leisure hours under the guidauce and ap- proval of Christ. THOMAS’ 8T, CHURCH. Confirmation by the Right Rev. Bishop Potter—Four of the Congregation Lost on Board the Atlantic—Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Morgan—Implicit Obedience the Duty of All Christians. The loss of the ill-fated Atlantic, with four of the members of St, Thomas’ church, cast an air of gloom among the worshippers at that church yesterday morning, in spite of the gather- ing together of some seventy candidates for the purpose of confirmation by the Episcopal Bishop of the diocese, the Right Rev. Horatio Potter. The following are the names of the four members in question:—Mr. Merritt, his wile and his sister, and Miss Scrymser. THE SERMON. The text chosen by the Rev. Dr. Morgan for his sermon was, “He humbled Himseif, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross,” from Second Corinthians. Obedience, said the vencrabie pastor, is the crucial text in a Christian's life, and inthe example of our biessed Lord and Saviour he had a noble example of implicit sub- mission to the Divine will, with its inexorable de- mands. During the coming week, my brethren, we shall have brought back to our memory the anguish @f the Son of Man in fulfilling the behests of His Heavenly Father, Christ humbled Himself that He might be ransomed from eternal death, and fownd for us in the Father what we could never find in ourselves—a Saviour of mankind. The law oi obedience ee eaten our Saviour must be followed by His discipies. God demands obe- dience. Contrast the bieeding victim on the accursed tree with the sacrifices made by the majerity of prolessing Christians, and ponder | over the difference between @ real and @ senti- mental recognition, and by the drops of blood which fell rom our Saviour’s body methinks I can hear Him say, ‘is it fer such offerings that I bore your sufferings and suffered an igneminious death upon the crossy’ Let the deep and incessant prayer be part ef your faith in Jesus Christ; let it ran through your retired life and be part and par- cel of your very existence, and in so deing you Will be strengthened and sustained by God's right arm, which wil help you fight the geod fight, CONFIRMATION. The venerable Bishop Potter then administered the impressive rite of confirmation to upwards of seventy candidates, aged from fifteen to sixty, up- wards of iorty being girls and women, GRACE CHURCH. H. C. Potter on Anointing the Feet of Jesus. There was @ large gathering of fashionable church-going people at Grace church yesterday morning to listen to the Rev. H, C, Potter, who preached a brief sermon on the lessons taught by the Holy Week. The usual elaborate services were celebrated, and the music was exceptionally fine. But a general gloom pervadea the church, owing te the dull,sombre character of the weather and the poor light which is always characteristic of that stained g! edifice. The fashionable wor- shippers are beginning to abandon the down town churehes, and while Grace church suffers with the rest, it is evident from the grand foi/ettes, and fine carriages belonging to the congregation, that there is still a highly aristocratic ele. meut clinging to the great Episcopal sanctuary, It aimost useless for the stranger to visit Grace church, if he go there in the hope of par- ticrpating im the services or of listening to the dis- cource, a8 it 18 dificult to obtain seats, and even when obtainable they are beyond the-reach of the reverend rector’s voice. Dr. Potter recited from St. Matthew THE STORY OF MARY anointing the te ot Jesus, and proceeded to descrive how this act of love and devotion exhibited that noble keart possessed by woman, It was an immortal exhibition of gratitude, of humility, before the persecuted and susfering Savieur. There was true fervor and sublime aifection in that act— in anointing the feet of Jesus—those feet which were nailed to the cross by His cruel persecutors in the midst of His matchless career on earth. admonished his hearers to derive from this inel- dent described by the Aposties the proper lesson— the lesson of gratitude for the blessings and com- forts vouchsafed tiem here below. What A GLORIOUS EXAMPLE it was in those dark days of the world to find this almost solitary act showing love for the Redeemer! The Rev. Let them apply tis history to thew own dauy Lives in order that they mighs prepare themselves for their meeting with their Maker. Let them it to their relations one with another; to their do- mestic concerns of their houagholds and to their dealings at large with the world. There was & fuvare opening for all of them, and it was proper 1d consider these in- and Meee! that they shoul cidents in the closing life of Jesus, in order that they might appreciate their importance in viewing His character and also the character of Mary. Gratitude was their duty, and the reverend gen- tleman urged his cengregation to remember it not only as a duty, but as the natural gift of every hu- man heart. OHUROH OF ST, PAUL THE APOSTLE. Splendid Celebration and Ceremonies ef Paim Suanday—Prayers for Some of the “Ailantic” Victims and Sermon by the Rev. Father Hill, O. 5. P. The Church of St. Paul the Apostle, better known as the Paulista’ church, Fifty-ninth street and Ninth avenue, was crowded in every available part yes- terday, at the hal!-past ten o’clock mass, by a large congregation of the parishioners, with a goodly number of the members of various other denomtna- tions, The festival observed being Palm Sunday, the ceremonies with which it was celebrated, being fully carried out, formed the principal point of at- traction, To devout Catholics the celebration was highly editving and impressive; to non- Catholics, interesting and calculated to gall forth study, comment and beneficial meditation, The altars, pictures, statues and paintings of every description were hid in deep folds of purpie, The priests and ecclesiastical students of the order filled the seats of the sanctuary, some robed in purple vestments, some in the usual attire—cas- sock amd surplice, Assisted by a large number of acolytes, the whole assemblage of sanctuarists formed the choir and sung the different portions of the maas tn a solemn and impressive manner, BLESSING THR PALMS, It 19 in accordance with the liturgy of the Church to bless the palms previous to the celebration of the mass, The palms on this occasion were pro- nounced genuime or at least similar in shape and substance to those used by the Israelites greeting our Lord as He entered the city of Jerusatem tn triumph. They were brought from Cuba and Florida by some of the members of the order specially for the occa- sion. They bear a strong resemblance to the com- mon corn stalk before 1¢ begins to unfold and ripen, some being as tall and round, others not ‘larger than the erdinary unfolded leaves of a datrodil. Alter the sprinkling of the holy water the ofici- ating priest, in a purple cape, but without a chas- uble, with assistants vested in the usual manner, went te biess the branches, which were placed at the epistie side of the altar. ‘Ihe choir meantime sung the untipnen, “Hosanna filio David,” alter which the apprepriate episties and gospels which constitute the oftlce while blessing were rectted. ‘rhen the palms were again sprinkled and tumed with incens D ‘RIBUTION AND PROOESSION, After the paims were blessed they were dis- tributed by the clergymen and ecclesiastics to the members of the congregation, who leld them up ostensibly during THE PROCESSION and remaining portions of the celebration, ‘The following order was ebserved in the proces- sie First, the crogs-bearer, with tue figure itself encircled with purple and palm leaves and an acolyte at elther side; then followed the choir, ecclesiastica! students, attending priests and oili- ciating clergymen in their purple vestinents. They moved from the sanctuary, While the deacon chanted aloud, “Procedamus in pace,” the choir auswering, ‘In nomine Christi.” All bore large palms in thew hands as they proceeded through the centre hisle, singing the well known hymu, ‘“Uleria, laws, et honor,’’ as they passed out,through the church entrance rep- resenting vividly a real, living scene of tle multi- tude with waving palms who greeted the Saviour’s entrance into the Holy ity. At the return of the procession two of vie choir went into the church, and, shutting the door, stood with their faces tow- ards the procession. Alter this the sub-deacon knocked at the door with the foot of the cross, which, being opened, the processien went into the chureh singing “Ingredlente Domino in Sanctam Civitatem,” after which all returned te thelr places in the sanctuary. The following clergymen officiated and assisted during the celebration of the mass he Rev. Father Scerle, celebrant; the Rev. Father Bodiish, the Rev. Father Dwyer, sub-deacon; the Kev, Father Young, master of ceremonies, and the Rev. Fathers Brady and Simmons, assistant masters of ceremonies. THE PASSION. The singing of the “‘Passion,”’ or Gospel of the Sun- day, Was by far the most impressive portion of tie celebration. It was taken from and com- prised the twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh chapters of St. Matthew. The parts of the awiul and memoravie tragedy were weil per- sonated by the Rev, Father Kkosenberg as our Lord, the Rev. Father Young represeating the multitude (turda), assisted by the choir, and the Rev. Father Elliot personating the part of the Evangelist. The chanting of the ‘Passion’ occupied thirty-five min- utes, interrupted only by an interval of two or three minutes’ silence, which occurred during the pros- tration at the words “emisit spiritum.” Aiter the conclusion of the gospel the Rev. Father Bodfish made the following ANNOUNCEMENTS :— On Wednesday, at hall-past seven P, M,, the office of Tenebrw and chanting of the Lamentations and Miserere will take place. Meundy Thursday, at nine A. M., solemn mass; procession to the repository; denudation of the altars, &c.; ball-past seven Pb, M., Tenebra and sermon. Good Friday, at nine A. M, sanctified, with adoration of ing of the passion; half-past seven P, and sermon, Holy Saturday, at eight A. M., solemn blessing of the new fire, the paschal candle, with chanting of the Exultet, the benediction ef the baptismal iont and solemn mass. Easter Sunday, at half-past ten A. M., solemn mass, with sermon, and Vespers at three o'clock Prayers were effered up for the repose of the souls of the Powers family, who perished in the Atlantic,disaster. The Rev, Father Hill preached a very able dis- course ae evening, explanatory of the ceremo- nies and Bervices of the day, the substance of which was that all the rites of religien as preserved by tne Church have their especial and significant meaning, and as such should be adhered to, re- spected and loved. BROOKLYN CHURCHE:. PLYMOUTH OHUROH. Mr. Beecher on Conflict with Sorrow, and Its Use for This World and the Next—A Slight Implied Reference to the Wreck of the Atlantic—What was Ex- pected by the Congregation. Mr. Beecher preached yesterday morning to the usual large congregation of Plymouth church, ‘There seemed to be an anticipation that he might refer to the great disaster of the week—the loss of the atiantic, This anticipation was considerably encouraged by the selection of the preliminary hymns, and by a very touching allusion in the prayer. The sermon, however, did not point that way directly, although there were here and there marine iilustrations thatshowed that the preacher ‘was in sympathy with the universal sorrow of the world, Mr. Beecher, recognizing Mr. Bartlett, of the Plymouth church cengregation, Chicago, in his congregation, at the close invited him to occupy his place in the evening, and, as this was accepted, Mr. Beecher’s intention to improve THE ATLANTIC DISASTER in the evening was averted, ‘The subject of the morning discourse was the dis- cipline of trouble in this world. The text selected was from Hebrews Xii.,11—“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised ea A The confused metaphor of the sentence in St. Paul's epistie was referred to in the introduction and was explained as the out- come ef Paul's surcharged mind, that was eager to express its thought and gave forth a cluster of metaphor, There were various characteristics in men Which enabled them to meet TRIALS AND TROUBLES, and the tendency to blend circumstances in har- mony With those trials and suiferings was never made so manifest as with men whose religious training had been developed by rola born, as it , close to the kingdom of God, With such men the struggle was not very powerful. Sutrering was not necessarily punishment; sometimes it was, but most times in this world it was not. Penalty was tie result of law; yes, but it was a sign to the man, sent to him to show that he was out ot the way. It was not the fault of nature that he should stambie in walking; it was nature training him to walk and was part of the education of man, There were lessons that were indispensable to manhood that did not come to us by nature, bat were part of our education. Men are thrown into the world, as it were, without any endowment of Lote | for meeting this description of life, Provi- dence, in the circumstances that surrounded us, worked out for us that which we could not do jor ourselves, Tears are the alphabet by which God teaches men chapters of wisdom that poetry and philosophy have never taught. Then there was the conflict of sorrow with conceit, Men learn something generally; but conceit abides to old age, and is generally strongest then, Gener- ally @ man strikes bis roots in his riches, Of such men you never think, Whenever you hear their name you think of their riches, but never of the man himself, Where @ man represents nothing but banks, railroads and ships, he takes with him nothing that could be recognized at the entrance to heaven—an eutrance that is large cnough to the mass of the pre- the cross and chant- . Tenebrae MONDAY, APRIL 7, 1873.—TRIPLE take in all the was continued bee on the need of iy of mankind. The sermon soliving that there should be beginning of eternal life planted here. EAST REPORMED OHUROE. Dedicatery Services of a New Church in Bedford Avenue—An Ornate and Florid Ecclesiastical Structure—Sermon by Dr. Ormiston and Address by the Pastor. The East Reformed church, Bedford avenue, corner of Madison street, Brooklyn, was dedicated yesterday. At the morning service the attendance was so large that hundreds were unable to get nearer the building than the sidewalk, and alti- matey left for other churches in the neighborhood, The style of architecture adopted by those who have been instrumental in the erection of this house of worship is, strange to say, after the style known as that of Louis the Fourteenth. It is @ brick church, with stone dressings, highly ornate. It is slightly elevated from the ground, with basement, and has nave, transepts and chancel, with a tower on one side in the angle made by the transept and nave. Behind the chancel arch is an elaborate screen, behind which are vestries and offices, robing rooms, parlors, &c., with gallery above for organ and choir. ‘The nave frents on Bediord-ave- nue, Entering the vestibule, twe doors are found to open into the body ef the church, to tne right and to the left, through a black walnut partition, | panelled six feet frem the floor, thence to the ceil- ing glazed in stained glass of many colors, Two alsies run from these entrances through the princi- pal part ofthe auditorium to the side ot the raised pulps Platierm opposite. Black walnut pews, with arm sides extended, range both sides of the aistes, those the cross sections facing, at a slight angle, the speaker. Directly over the doors # gallery from side to side stretches, Over- head the ultra-marine ceiling is traversed by arching supports of black walnut, joining in & keystone support at the highest point, descendin, to gold-touched vlack wainut brackets, extender from the walls, elaborately carved and orna- mented, In a niche behind the platform, above the head of the speaker when standing, is THE CHOIR GALLERY ; further back, against the wall, the organ is built, Two immense chandeliers, resplendent in gold and blue (said to be the only ones of their kind tn this country) are pendent from the ceiling, Although by using camp stools an increased number cam be accommodated, 1,090 can comiortably worship in the church. Yesterday morning far more than that number teok part in the service. A quartet choirsang the opening anthem, which was fol- lowed by the reading of the Oemmandments, the singing of the “Giorta” and the reading ef Scrip- ture lessons. The tirst hymn sung was the one commencing— Glorious things of thee are spoken. Dr. Ferris offered prayer, and then notices con- nected with the church were announced by Dr. Carroll, the pastor, who, in the course of which, sald tiat ground was oroken lor the clurch edifice March 20, 1872, ‘The Rev. Dr. Ormiston preached the opening ser- mon and selected his text trom Zechariah vi., 12— “And speak unto aim saying, thus speaketh the Lord of Hosts, saying, Behoid the man whose name is the Branch; ard he shall grow up out of his place and he shail build tae temple of the Lord.’ Dr, Ormiston said that the members oi the church would remember that about twelve months ago he addressed them, and tried to speak words of com- fort and cheer, although his pulpit was the curb- Stone, agd that now it was with great pleasure that he looked round on this beautiful edifice and saw it so near its completion and privileged to take part in that interesting service. In the course of the sermon, in which the werds of the prophet were adapted to modern instances, Dr. Ormiston strongly bre upon the congregation and the members of the church the duty of thoroughly dedicating this church to the Lord, so that not a brick or stone in its construction should belong to any one but the Lord of Heaven, who had done such wondrous things for them. After the sermon the church was formaliy dedicated to God by the pastor, ail the congregation rising. The address was of a Very solemn character, and enjoined the Church to the rendering of personal service to God and the dedication of their powers to extending His kingdom here on earth. The doxology was sung and the benediction pro- nounced, after which the large assembiage dis- persed, In the aiternoon and evening the services were continued, VENTH AVENUE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The Rev. Dr. Wild on Capital Pun- ishment—Nixon’s Condition and Ap- prehenston—The Ocean Shipwreck. Dr. Wild, of the Seventh avenue Methodist Episcopal church, Brookiyn, preached a sermon yesterday morning from John vili., 32:—“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” After a brief introduction the reverend doctor proceeded in substance as follows:— Men often fail to appreciate what they have not earned, or put a proper estimate upon that which cost them nothing. Suffering frequently leaves the victim clothed with mercy. Struggle and conquest are apt te beget faithfulness, and human experi- ence enables us to judge righteously and deal mercifully, Our own failares and short-comings bid us be charitable with others, while a knowledge of selt-rectitude prompts us to be swift and true witnesses against our neighbors whe commit any grave or heinous offence. Liberty should 1ollow IN THE WAKE OF TRUTH as naturally as light in the path of the sun. To catch the drift of an author’s meaning, to perceive after wearied labors the solution of a problem, is like the first streak of light upon toe horizon. Used in @ spiritual sense, the very fact of kuowing truth is Jight and treedem, while ignorance of it is servile bondage. Uniess we know from Scrip- tural knowledge how God regaras offences to man, and how in consequence - He suffered fer it on Cetra we cannot be con- scious of their greatness. Out of Christ one cannot comprehend it. There are people who take pieas- ure in unrighteousness. What do men feel whose consciences are hoofed over by wreng-doing ? People are wont to think in these days that almost the worst calamity in this werld is poverty, and yet, comparatively speaking, men are almost as much cramped and restrained when rich as their poor neighbors. ~ “THE POOR MAN BORROWS TROUBLE about the wants of to-day, and tae rich man is worried about bank notes and stock exchanges. It is the spirit ox the man, after ail, that deter- mines his condition, What trath will heal a breken heart like this verse: ‘All tiings shall work to- gether for good to them thatlove God?” The legion of aching hearts whose idols were shattered IN THAT TERRIBLE WRECK, the many desolate homes that are mourning for “their loved ones, have found, methinks, their only gleam of comfort in that blessed promise. Not only they that mourn, but those led captive by i aad find ireedom if they will, The weapon which NIXON carried did not prove a iriead, but an enemy, and there are more crimes and diicuities occur from that practice than from any other, It is a low stock ef trust that needs to defend itself in that way. Look at the criminai since the law has con- demned him! The streng man is reduced to the weakness efachild, He trembles in every joint, and it 1s but liquid that he can sip now. Say that there is no restraint in capital punishment! If he Was sentenced to State Prison for life he would want beei every meai and relish it, too, Nothing Hut the fear of going into the presence of a living Ged could so unman him. And yet for him there is pardon beyond the death that awaits him, if he will but believe that God can save to the utter- most ail those that come to him, §T, JAMES’ CATHEDRAL. Celebration of Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday was, doubtless, appropriately cele- brated in every Catholic church throughout the length and breadth of the land yesterday, but in none perhaps with more fitness than at St. James’ Cathedral, Brooklyn, and thither hundreds of devout worshippers wended their way to partici- pate in commemerating our Lord@ and Saviour’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem from Mount Olivet, five days before the crucifixion, Every ene seemed deeply imptessed with the solemnity of the occa- sion, and listened with marked attention to the words of wisdom and eloquence which jell from the lips of the officiating clergymen, the Very Reverend Fathers Kiely and Turner. Sprigs ef evergreen, in imitation of palin, were distributed among the congregation, in accordance with the time- henored custom. The Rey. Father Kiely preached the ser- mon. After briefly sketching the history of the Passion, he cnontiued: In body anq mind did eur Lord suifer for us, and we are called upon in our prayers an meditations to think of these things aud beceme better men, detter Christians, Where is the heart so devoid of feeling that upen which this picture of Nhose dread days would haye noefect? Think of the triumph of to-day and the ignominy of the next five days. The same streets that witnessed His triumph wit- nessed his ignominy, The same windows from which palms waved Were lifted as He passed in the midnight hour, and the occupants, satisfied that it ‘was some criminal going to his just doom, retired to their sleep. ‘‘his is a picture of the world, This it is that should teach us to distrust the world and even to doubt those whom we have no reason to donbte Think of Jesus as He walked in the garden ot twilight ‘ UNDER THE OLIVE TREES, praying that his mission might be felt by every one. Abandened by. his friends, yet, wnen He discov- ered that it was the will of His father He was re- conciied, We will leave tim there till Good Fri- day; but remember that our sins have prostrated Beg Him to pardon us; beg Him to remem- SHEET. ber usin His father’s kingdom. Seg of Jesus soften your heart, and meditate on the dread events sion. sibilities, in oe world and brighten our prospect in the next. TALMAGE AT THE AOADEMY. The “Atiantic” Calamity—Another Re- buke of the Critics—The Whale of Mod- ern Scepticism—Huma' iders—Theo- logical Pugilists and Fierce Religion- ists—A Compliment to Prize Fighters. “God forgive those,” said Mr. Talmage yesterday morning in his opening prayer, while referring to the Atlantic disaster, “who have wickedly brought this calamity upon this nation and othef nations. Have mercy upon all the bereaved. Have mercy upon those emigrants who are tossed upon our shore, bereft of even the few treasures that were allotted to them. May they find a comfortable home here, and may the arms of Christian charity be extended toward them.’ This was the only ref- erence that the Tabernacle pastor made yesterday morning to the terrible calamity of last week. Mr. Talmage’s sermon was upon the Scriptures and the democracy of Christ's religion, from the text—‘Where there is neither Greek nor Jéw, circumcision nor uncircumecision, barbarian, Scythian, bend nor frée; but Uhrist is all and in all,”’ setting forth the idea that men of all nation- alities and history may stand upon one great gospel platform, In the first place, the preacher said, Christ 1s everything in the Bible. 1 don’t care whére I open the Bible I find Jesus. 1 kuow there are @ great many who find no Christ at all, I want to tell you some ways of studying this Bible by ‘which you cannot flad Christ and some ways by which you can find Him. For instance, here isa man who comes and studies the Bible as a histo- rian, If you come as a historian you will find in this book how the world was made, how empires were established, how nation fought with nation until the earth was GHASTLY WITH THE DEAD. It is a wonderiul history, putting te the blush all others in the accuracy of its recital and in the stupendous events it records, There are others who come to the Bible merely a3 antiquartans. If you come as an antiquarian you will find a great Many odd things in the Bible, peculiarities of man- ner and custom, and marriages and apparels and dress, There are a Ca many people who come to it first as you would go to a cabinet of curiosi- ties and the Bible to such becomes & mere British Museum. Others come te it and find nothing but thepoetry. It is @ wonderful poem, and a great many read it as they do “Lalla Rookn” or the “Lady of the Lake,’? and it does them ao more good, They are so absorbed in eehng atthe shells On the shore that they forget to look otf on the great ocean of God’s mercy and salvation, the great objects tor which this book was written. Then : there are others who come to this book as sceptics. Thoy marshal passage against passage and try to GBT MATTHEW AND LUKE INTO A QUARREL and would have a discrepancy between Paul and James about faith and works. These men—these spiders, I will say i flowers. They tatten their infidelity upon those truths which have led thousands to heaven, and in their distorted vision prophet seems to war with prophet, and evangelist with evangelist, and apostie with apostie; and if they can tind some in- accuracy of character, some bad trait ef character in aman of God, mentioned in that Bible, these modern crows caw and flap their wings over the carcass. Because they cannot understand how the whale swallowed Jonah they attempt the mere wonderiul feat of swallowing the MONSTER WHALE OF MODERN SCEPTICISM. They don’t believe it possible that the Bible story should be true which says that the dumb ass spoke, while they themselves preve the thing possible ef their own utterances, (Laughter.) am amusec beyond bounds when [ hear one of these men talk about the iuture life. Just ask a man who rejects Uhat Bible what heaven is, and hear him befog your soul. He will teil you that heaven is merely the development of the internai resources; it is an efflorescence of the dynamic forces into @ state of ethereal and transcendental lucubratien in close juxtaposition to the ever-present “was” and the great “to bel’? (Laughter.) Considering them- selves wise, they are tools fer time and eternity. Then there 1s another class of persons who come to this Bible as controversialists. They are enor- mous Presbyterians, or flerce Baptists, or violent Methodists, They cut the Bible to suit their creed, instead of cutting their creed to suit the Bible. The Bible is merely the whetstone on which they sharpen the DISSECTING KNIFE OF CONTROVERSY. What do they care about the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ? I have seen some such men coming back irom an ecclesiastical massacre as reud of their achievements as an Indian warrior is of the number of scalps he has taken. I have more admiration fer a man who gves forth with his fists to get the championship, of a Heenan or a Morrissey, than I have for THESE THEOLOGICAL PUGILISTS, who make the theological magazines ring witha horrible outcry, They are the men who seem to think that the only use of the sword of truth is to stab lathsayase: 4 with it. (Laughter.) There is one passage of the Scriptures that they like better than all others, and that is this:—‘Blessed be the Lord, which teacheth me hands to war and my fingers to fight.” Wee to usif we come to Ged’s word as controversialists, or sceptics, or fault- finders, or merely as poets. These only get into the heart of God’s truth who come and seek for jesus. Mr. Talmage further raised the points that Christ is everything im the great plan of redemption, and everything to Christians in time of trouble, upon which he dwelled at some length, THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE. The Grand Conference in October Next— The Preliminary Meetings. A meeting in behalf of the Evangelical Alliance was held in the South Reformed church, corner of Fifth avenue and Twenty-first street, last evening, and, despite the inclemency of the weather, a large congregation was in attendance. The services ‘were opened by the pastor, Rev. Dr. Rogers, with the usual religious exercises, after which he intro- duced Mr, Wm. E. Dodge, President of the American branch of the Alliance. He said that the Execu- tive Committee had thought it important, before the meeting of the General Conference to take place in October next, that a series of preliminary meetings, of which this was the first, should be held, in order that the attention of the peeple might be aroused, Addresses were also made by the Rey. Drs. Prime and Crosby, but no definite action was taken. APPOINTMENT OF CATHOLIC PASTORS, The Most Rey. Archbishop McCloskey has se- lected the Rev. Jeremiah GrifMn, pastor of the Church of the Assumption, Peekskill, Westchester county, to succeed the late Father John Breen in the pastorate of the Church of the Annunciation, Manhattanville. Father GriMin is a distinguished graduate ef Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmets- burg, Md, He was ordained in 1865, and soon after his ordination entered on his missionary labors as assistant pastor of the Churchf the Nativity, Second avenue. In 1868 he was transferred to St. Stephen's, East Twenty-eighth street, where he soon attained a high reputation as a pulpit orator and proved an efficient assistant to the zealous young pastor, Dr. McGlynn. He was promoted to the pastoral charge of Peekskill. pastor of the Chureh of the Annunciation, Manhatianville, Father Griffin will exercise spiritual jurisdiction over Man- hattan College. ‘The Rev. William P. Flannelly, assistant pastor of the Church of the Holy Cross, West Forty-second street, has been promoted to the pastorate of the Church of the Assumption, Peekskill. DEATH AT THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE. Fatal Result of a Terrible Accident. On Friday last Peter Cope, a German, only twenty years of age, while at work on the Brooklyn Bridge, foot of Roosevelt street, had one of his legs caught in a rope attached to the ma- chinery and terribly fractured and lacerated., The injured man was forthwith removed to the Centre Street Hospital, where Professor Hamilton, and Dr, Flubrer, surgeon in charge, amputated the limb, ‘The shock to the system ‘from loss of blood resulted in death, which occurred at half- ast ten o'clock yesterday morning. Corener lerrman was notified, and will hoid an inquest on the bedy this morning. Deceased lived at No, 941 First avenue. A FOREIGN MINISTER'S TROUBLE. {From the Washington Lg On the ist of January Jast a Foreign Minister in this city, who has am American wife, and who Tepresents one of the “eifete monarchies” of Southern Europe, rented a handsome residence on H street for a year, agreeing to pay therefor the sum of $3,000, Adjoining the house rented 1s a vacant. Jot, owned by a Philadelphian, whorecently concluded to build, and with that view engaged @ number of workmen to excavate for the founda- tions. In so doing It Was necessary to run a fence between the mimister’s residence and the vacaut lot, and this seems to have so annoyed the minister that he notified the agent from’ whom he nad rented the property that he considered the con- tract violated, and shouid vacate the premises on the 1st proximo, When he would pay feur months’ rent, first deducting a bill for damages which ne proposes to make out on account of the injuries he has sustained from the building operations adjoin- ing his residence. The upshot of the matter is that the agent from Whom the minister rented the property will be forced to allow the latter to act as judge and jury in the matter and accept whatever he is olfeved th the way of rental, as no civil pro- cess can issue against a representative of a foreign governmeny MUSICAL ANB DRAMATIC NOTES. ‘There are to be few changes at the theatres this* Week, At the Union Square Theatre a sketch, called “Micawber” is to be produced this evening, in which Mr. George Fawcett Rowe will turn up as the immortal Wilkins, This, with “Cousin Jack,” makes the bill ofthe week, after which Miss Ethel appears in “Frou-Frou.” At the Fifth Avenue Theatre “Old Heads and Young Hearts” will be played to-morrow evening. At Wallack’s “David Garrick” and “Dundreary Mar- Tied” will continue to satisfy the patrons of both high and eccentric comedy. Fox remains at the Olympic with “Humpty Dumpty,” but some im- portant changes in the pantomime and the variety business are meditated; the Buffalo Bill inanity continues at Niblo’s; “Daddy O'Dowd” ts still the attraction at Booth’s, and ‘Uncle Sam” is on his last legs at the Grand Opera House, “Under the Gaslight” replacing the French piece next weer, and keeping the stage till Fecbter’s appearance, on the 28th inst. Within afew weeks we can see to the ead of the season, but it is not likely that many surprises remain for us in this dra- matic year. 7 “Uncle Sam” is to be produced at Mrs. Conway's theatre in Brooklyn before the close of the season, with Mrs. John Wood and some other members of the Grand Opera House company in the cast, The Jubilee singers of Fiske University give twe fareweH concerts— one at Steinway Hall this even- ing and one at Plymouth church to-morrow even- ing—previous to their departure for Europe om Saturday. Mr. Lester Wallack’s engagement at the Brook- lyn Theatre continues one week longer. He haa been very successful, It ts still a question whether Tamberlik wil! bring his Italian opera company to the Academy after Easter. One of the latest stories aboat American actora going to England is a rumor that Edwin Booth makes @ professivnal tour iu that country next season. It is principally due to the care and exertion of Mr. W. Oakes Hunt, who recently died at Stratford- on-Avon, that the Shakesperean relics there have been properly preserved. He contributed many gitts to Shakespeare’s house and did much to orna- ment its grounds, Miss Anna Mehlig gives two piano recitals at Steinway Hall on the afternoons of the 1zth aud 16th inst. At the first she plays a Mendelssohn prelude and fugue, a Haydn fantasia, a Weber scherzo, Chopin’s sonata in B flat minor, two Liszt works and two morceaut by.Schumann and Schu- bert. Tausig’s ‘‘Soirées de Vienne’ closes this fine programme. The festival week at Steinway’s, beginning on the 22d, promises to be one of rare musical inter- est. Three nights will be devoted to oratorios, in which the Boston Handel and Haydn Society and Thomas’ orchestra will take part. One night will have a miscellaneous bill, the feature of which will be the performance of a work for three pianos; by Rubinstein, Mills and Mason. : Gye apd Mapleson have two bran new tenors ready for the coming season in London, Great ex- pectations are formed of them. Rumor speaks of the early appearance of a col- ored opera troupe in this city. They give the “Doctor of Alcantara,” and other works of the English school. The entertainment arranged by the friends ot Mme. Le Vert tor her benefit, which was given at the residence of Mme. Mears, Madison avenue, on Friday evening, was remarkable both for the num- ber of fashionable and “egant dressed ladies who attended and the excellence of the performances, Mme. Le Vert read from her own published work an interesting account of her interview with the Pope of Rome and of a bull ight she witnessed tn Spain in a natural and graceful mannér, Mrs. Ellet created a great deal of amusement by recit- ing a scene from the ‘School fer Scandal” and another selection full of humor. In addition te these performances there were songs, music declamation and ventrHoquism. Altogether the evening was a most enjoyable one and afforded an excellent opportunity fora reunion of fashionaole society. The performance is to be repeated Apral 14, at 45 Park avenue. LITERARY CHIT-CHAT. M. Hirreav has completed his old French gloe sary, of which the first part was published .in 1866. “SLAVE CATCHING IN THE INDIAN OCEAN, & Reo ord of Naval Experiences,” is the title of anew work in the press by Captain Colomb, R. N, LonGMANS have nearly ready @ new work by Lord vunsany, entitled ‘Gaul or Teuton? Consider. ations as to Our Allies of the Future.’ Mr. JoHN Forsrer isin bad health, and the third and last volume of his “Life of Charles Dickens” is likely to be delayed some time. DR. GEORGE SCHWEINFURTH, the celebrated tra. veller, will shortly bring out his new work, the re- sult of three years’ travel and adventure in Cen- tral Africa. It will form two volumes and will be illustrated by about one hundred and thirty wood- cuts. THE Atheneum says that there is some prospect ofarevised edition of the Encyclopmdia Britan- nica. This is good news, as the information in the last edition (the eighth) is a quarter of a centary old. THE FOLLOWING large prices for French books were obtained at a Paris auction gale last month:— “Essais de Montaigne,” first edition, 1580, £87; “Alain Chartier,’ 1629, £44; “Champion des Dames,” 1530, £36; “(Euvres de Bail,” 4 vols., £57 165.; ‘(Euvres de Pierre Corneille,” 2 vols, 1644-47, £154; the same, 1648, 2 vols., £84 48; “Molitre, Le Mariage Forcé,”’ first edition, £36; “Cuvres de Racine,’ 1679, 2 vols., £36 88.; “‘Chro- niques de St. Denis,’ 1514, £62; “Froissart and Monstrelet,’ 1505-'12, £34; ‘(Euvres de Moliére,” 1606, 2 vols., £89. Lorp Macavay thus wrote to Henry S. Randall In 1857:— I never uttered a word nor wrote @ line indicat ing an opinion that the supreme authority in a State ongit to be entrusted to the majority of citi- zens told by the head. I have long been convinced that institutions purely democratic must, sooner or later, destroy liberty or ctvilization or both. Your constitution is all sail and no anchor. Either some Cwsar or Napoleon will seize the reins of govern- ment witn a strong hand, or i Republic will be as fearfully plundered and laid waste by barbarians in the twentieth century as tne Roman Empire wag in the fifth, with this difference—that the Huns and Vandals who ravaged the Roman Empire came from without, and that your Huns and Vandals will have been engendered within your own coun- try by your own institutions, And this man was called a “liberal” thinker and historian ! VIOLENOB IN WILLIAMSBURG, Sanguinary Fight Between a Father nd Son—An Attempted Parricide. At about three o'clock yesterday afternoon, while Oficer Teaie, of the Fifth precinct, was passing the residence 226 North Sixth street, Williamsburg, he heard cries of “Murder!” fasuing therefrom, On entering the house he found a young man covered with bicod and acting in @ violent manner, and an old man standing erect flourishing a hickory cane, as if in self-defence. The*oficer took both men to the Fourth street station house, where it was ascertained that the prisoners were father and son, Robert Mailer, St., and Robert Mailler, Jr. The house from which the prisoners were removed was the residence of the father, and the gon, while crazed with liquor, broke into it and assaulted him with a knife, threatening to kill him. The old gentte- man, fearing bis life to be in danger, seized the hickory cluv and withit struck him several blows ‘on the head, inflicting severe scalp wounds, from which the blood flowed protusely. The would-be parricidg had his wounds dressed by a surgeon and was detained by the police. His father was allowed to depart on his parole, his action being evidently justifiable. AMERICAN PACIFIO COAST SURVEY. (From the Panama Herald, March 28.) The United States steamsiip Narragansett, G, P. Dewey, commander, has been ordered to proceed to the Paciiic coast to make a survey from Laguna de Jerminos to the northern boundary of the United States, This expedition is expected to be of great service to navigation, inasmuch as that coast is very imperiectly known. Skilied hydrographic oficers will accompany the expedition. After coin- pas this survey the Narragansett will join the ortsmouth in the West Ludiem “~