The New York Herald Newspaper, May 5, 1873, Page 4

~ GITY CHRISTIANITY, - A Mild May Sunday Among the Ministers. CHRISTIAN DUTIES AND CARES. A Falling Off in New Members and Floral Offerings at the Plymouth Church Anniversary. The Foundations of the True Faith. Dr. Chapin on the Power of the Word of Ohrist—Astonishing Progress of Newspaper Oorrespondence—Tha Vienna Oorruption Scandal. SMASHING THE SOPHISTRY OF SUICIDES, The Farewell Sermon of Father Flattery in St. Teresa’s Church. ——++—__—. Watehing Against the Wickedness of the World—Dr. Wild on the Bible in the Public Schools—President Thiers and the Atlantic Bank Failure. MAY MUSIC AT ST. STEPHEN'S. ‘esterday was the first May Sunday of the yeare Contrary te the expectations of most of the people ‘who watch the coming and going of these annt- ‘vérsary epochs with warm, pious Interest, the skies smiled blandly upon the earth, or, at least, im the city, they smiled blandly on the hard pavements and the dull bricks and ‘walls of iron and stone, and the air was balmy with the breathings of the gentle wind of the south, who, one might previously have thought, had long ago forgotton his mission of tenderness and cheer. But he whispered wootngly to all ‘Vegetable creation, and even seemed to have @morous intentions touching the stern monu- mental piles of commercial grandeur on Our great streets; and the lampposts like- mse; for the early pedestrian felt his warm kisses carelessly falling upon his cheek, and joyed therein with a consciousness of the love of gentle mature for all her children. May verdure, in the genial sunlight in the parks, glistened brightly and touched in the heart a throbbing chord of de- light that had lain dormant fora year. May song- Bters, just arrived from their luxurious retreats in the South, sported on the branches of the trees, whereon the buds, just bursting, were tipping the rich brown of the myriad twigs ‘with the delicate tints of green fresh leaves that ‘were as ers only half born. May flowers glowed in their mild and their fervid hues in little door yards or flower pots along the streets, in the button- holes of sentimental young men, in the bosoms of roguish girls and unburdened their soit petals of intoxicating perfumes on the very altars of prayer in the holy houses of God. There is 80 close an association of thought between re- ligion and these tender blossoms that their pres- ence is a mute language, comparable in sweetness only to the ex te music of the grand old that David sung. The mingled impressions Made on the heart and soul bythe ee smiles of mature and soft awe that was inspired by the Perfect peace that secmed to cover the great city must have worked miracles of tender re- membrance in the minds of many, for old sinners, wild prodigals, hardened cynics and blasé men and women of the world involantarily drew mear the church portals yesterday and made inte- gral parts of the worshipping throngs. All of the city sanctuaries were densely crowded, and sketches of the ceremonies in many of them are given below. Elsewhere is reported one of the most important religious events that have happened in a long time, the consecration of the Bishop of Newark. e BC count of the impressive ceremonies and the elo- quent words of exhortation and counsel delivered on the occasion will be read with great interest. SEVENTEENTH STREET METHODIST CHURCH. The Duty of the Christian as a Member of the Church—Discourse by the Rev. W. H. Boole=Prayer for Mayor Have- meyer. The Rev. W. H. Boole, pastor of the Seventeenth Btreet Methodist Episcopal church, yesterday preached a discourse from I. Corinthians, xiL, 20— “But now are they many members, yet but one body.” The sermon was preceded by anearnest prayer, in which the pastor specially mentioned THE MAYOR OF THE CITY, and earnestly implored the Great Ruler of all affairs to scatter the enemies of his Honor and deliver him from the machinations of the plotters who might desire to advance their own purposes ‘at the expense of religion and morality. The ser- mon was quite an able enlargement of St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, descriptive of the diversities of spiritaal gifts, The Church, he said, ‘was represented in this igure of the human pody, and Christ bears the same relation to the Church as the head does to the body. He is the great Director of the Christian Church as the head con- trois all the ether members of the human body, ‘The minister spoke of the harmony and mutual co- Operation of all the members of the body and com- pared this union to that of members of the Chris- tian Church, THE CHURCH IS OUR BODY; ‘ ‘there are not two bodies, there is but one head— even Christ. As the body is not made for the mem- bers, but the members for the body, so the Chris- tian is made for Christ. There is’ but one life in the Church, he said, as there 1s but one life in the . We may try to galvanize the Church into a second life to suit the world; but the Church, like | the body, having but one life, it can have but one | purpese, What is that purpose? we ask. TO GLORIFY GoD, that ye may grow up in His taith. The pastor spoke of the necessity of harmony in the human body and in all affairs of life, and stated that there would be confasion in the Church of Christ as well as in business affairs if the members did not har. | monize with the great Head of the Church—Jesus Christ—and there should be but one purpose to jorify God and extend His kingdom. He dwelt at length upon the | RESPONSIBILITIES ATTACHING TO THE CHURCH MEM- BER, ‘and stated that work leit undone by any member | ef the Church is undone forever, Every man’s ‘business lite should be a Christian life, and when God calls for the first instalment of what is His due from the Christian we should not put itoff. Fora ready compliance we will not only obtain a reward here, but lay up profits in heaven, FIFTH AVENUE DUTOH REFORMED OHUROH. The Love of God—Sermon by the Rev. William Ormiston, ‘This elegant and commodious house of worship ‘was, a8 usual, exceedingly well filled yesterday morning by @ devout congregation, ‘The pastor, Rey. William Ormiston, selected as his text Romans, vill., 32—‘‘He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He | not with Him also freely give us all things?” The text, Mr. Ormiston said, contains the statement of | @ wonderfal fact, and such a deduction of God's | comprehensive purpose towards mankind that it | suggests more sacramental topics for considera- seems that if there had been kind of a struggle in the divine bosom, and that His love for sinfal men overcame His affection for His Son that they might be saved, and the realization ef this truth to our minds must bring us nearer to God. The full sur. render of His Son was given. True, God did not withdraw His ineffable love, bat He delivered Him up to much humiliation and shame and agony, and finally to an ignominious-death. The paster then sketched the life of Christ on earth, great suf- ferings, and eloquently appealed to his hearers to remember the fact that this sacrifice was a terrible reality, a fearful period, wherein He was tempte scorned and mocked by wicked men, but wil hout muttering; and God delivered up His own Son that we might be received with Hina into the kingdom of heaven, A love that can make such a sacrifice as this can make any other. If God did give up His own Son for our sakes He can save us. He bas opened our prison doors and beckons us to enter the gates of the palace. We are restored and re- admitted into the favor of God by this sacrifice. Mr. Ormiston then made the application of his text. It was Sacrament Sunday in the church; and, after reference to the great love of God and His not withholding it from any seeker after the Rent prize, said the invitation to the table of the Lord was free and the welcome sincere. No past sintul- ness, no present unworthiness, if there were only a penitent heart and eye on God, who forgiveth all sins, could debar any one from partaking. What- soever the hungry, ing, Mae Ba fod possibly desires here it could te found, The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was then administered, most of the congregation remaining to jein in or witness the impressive ceremony. 8T. TERESA’S OHURCH A Congregation in Tears—Farewell of the Rev. Father Flattery. The Rev. Father Flattery, assistant priest for the past six years at St. Toresa’s (Roman Catholic) church, corner of Rutgers and Henry streets, has been appointed, by Archbishop McCloskey, pastor of a new district, and is about erect @ magnificent religious edifiee. at the corner of 105th street and Second avenue. St. Teresa's was crowded at the services yesterday, when Father Flattery, after delivering an eloquent sermon, announced his early departure to the congregation. His allusion to this fact was most touching. During the de- livery of these remarks all in the church, both male and female, wept petit and the sobs of many mingled with the voice of the distinguished clergyman. The Rev. Father Flattery was educated in Rome and is considered one of the most eloquent and learned of eur Catholic divines. He is much re- spected and beloved throughout the entire city. CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES, Foundations of Christian Faith—Uni- versal Diffusion of the Influence of Christ—Sermon by the Rev. George H. Hepworth. Out of the depths of May moving tribulations and the late rain storms everybody greeted gratefully the smiling sunshine of yesterday, and Spring cos- tumes, gay and gorgeous, were in keeping with na- ture’s changed and happy mood. Such a large and brilliantly dressed congregation has not been gath- ered in the new edifice of the Church of the Disci- ples, corner of Madison avenue and Forty-fitth street, a8 Wag convened there yesterday morning. The Rey. George H. Hepworth preached another in his series of discourses on the “FOUNDATIONS OF CHRISTIAN PAITH.’? There is, he began, one great peculiarity of the New Testament, and that is its great practical common sense, It is a wonderful book in this re- gard. Itgives us an exact rule to measure the value of every thought and scheme in life. Ifa thought or scheme tends to make our minds go up- ward it is divine. If it tends to make them go downward it is devilish. I intend in my present discourse to measure Christianity, as far as I can in my short time, by its own rule, and to discuss the question according to the standpoint it fixes for itself and others. What associations cluster about the very name of Jesus! Whenever you breathe that name it is with a heart filled with gratitude. The influence which He has is not to be measured. Itis to be found everywhere. There is no country or nation where His name has been preached but it has lifted up the people. That power has taken hold of all our appetites. There is no department of art or science or literature in which Christ is not found, and being there, He has changed all. Painting and sculpture and music have been raised and elevated by inspiration from Him. The undying pictures of Raphael and Angelo, adorning the church walls of Italy, are the embodi- ment of scenes in His life. MUSIC IN CHURCHES is now one of the most powerful instruments of good. What is the great iopae which generation after generation urges People to climb up the moun- tain side that they may get a better and better sur- vey of life’ It 1s the same impulse that drives bad laws from our books, drove slavery from the South and Is driving away intemperance. It is the power of Jesus. No longer can we be in dread of the great to-morrow. I often think of this when I remember the difference between a pagan and a Christian mother on the death of her child. It is a differ- ence as great as between heaven and earth. The pagan looks into the biack darkness and sees noth- ing. The Christian mother says, ‘She is not dead, she sleepeth."’ Wherein comes this faith ? It comes from Christ, Then, I say, that Christianity is the ELECTRICITY IN THE AIR; that vivifying, intangible substance which no scales can weigh. It is the gravitatien that keeps everything in order and binds particles together. There are two aspects in which Christ presents himself to us. The first of these is as our friend and brother. And is not this a wonderful conde- scension? Itis the great truth of the New Testa- ment that when you pray the words go straight to the heart of Jesus. en you are in trouble, when friends desert you, when dear ones die, then Christ is there. Wherever He ts needed He 18, Did you ever walk through the woods with one who knew the name of every flower and shrub ? He tells you things you never dreamed of. So itis when you walk with a geelogist by the seaside. All you hold in your head is changed. Everything 1s A PICTURE BOOK. Your mind must be extended. Your friendship In the second with Christ has the same effect. place, Jesus is your teacher. Another pecuitarity oi the New Testament is that it demands implicit obedience. Tne logic of God 1s the logic of events, When a good general goes with his army he gives his eommands without answering any questions. Yours not to reagon why; Yours bat to do and die. But when the battle has been won you see that the general's orders were wise orders, Christ is like that general. Man must die, and it only needs ene thing and that is to come under the banner of disciplinship to the master of heaven and earth, TWENTY-FIFTH STREET PRESBYTERIAY CHURCH. Is Dancing a Means of Grace t—Its In- jurious Effects Upon Man's Physical, Mental and Moral Nature—Sermon by the Rev. S. J. Stewart. At the regular monthly evening service, held at the West Twenty-filth street United Presbyterian church last evening, the Rev. S. J. Stewart, pastor, preached upon the subject—“ Is Dancing a Means of Grace?” He selected as the text of his dis, course the passage from Matthew xiv., 6—“Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.” He opened by explaining his reasons for devoting his entire sermon to the subject of dancing. Any sin which is worth attacking at all is worth attacking well. Audiences at the present day are too intelli. gent to accept the mere dictum ofthe priest, and I do not oppose anything unless I can show it is Wron| He deprecated any interference with legit d prope® amugements. Ag sng as ope te the young can sing and laugh and love and let them doo, There may be RELIGION IN LAUGHTER, in amusement, in work. In considering dancing he proposed to speak plainly; and if any were shocked let them blame the subject and not him- self. He admitted that the mere act of dancing in itself might not be sinful; but this was not the question. Is dancing, as it exists, wrong—pro. miscuous dancing of both sexes and of ditferent families? In considering it he first referred to those ages in the Scripture where dancing 1s alluded to, Irom which was shown that there was such a thing as dancing among the Hebrews; but they do not favor the idea that it was for amuse- ment, as, first, their dance was only 4 measured tread; second, it was only used 4s an act of wor- ship, and third, the two sexes never engaged in it together. In the New Testament it ts referred to but onee, and that in the text. It resuited in ADULTERY AND MURDER. | And the advocates of dancing are welcome to the support they derive from 1% He described the tien than any statement inthe whole sphere of | dance referred to as one of the most libidinous and God's wonderful goodness and mercy. God and the gift of His own Son were a guarantee of our own salvation. At times God is pictured to ag ag exalted high above all terrestrial atfairs; a Being that accomplishes all things by His own will; of great understanding; of terrible power; sitting in impressive state; regardless of the jove or hate of His creatures, Such views, removing God very far from us, whether or written, are nothing but evil carica- ‘This is net the case. Ged commends His and it is an eternal and unanswerable trath He is love. His affection is like that of & father. No parent was ever s0 induigent, so i The love of | depraved, derived, as it was, from the Grecians, | and said the Christian nations had borrowed their dances from the most ungodly people of the world, He then proceeded to show that, as it is practised, | itis deleterious to the physical, mental and morai nature of man, It is destructive to the body, be- cause it keeps us up until twelve, two and three o'clock. It turns night into day, and the character of the exercise, THE CONSTANT WHIRLING, is not beneficial. To piace yourself in a elose room, Whirling till the brain reeis and youare in a profuse perspiration, and then run to a window to get cool, and repeat the operation for hours, cannot be healthy; and the condition of illness which follows the next day shows that it is not. He referred to the popularity of dancing vender- #0_ long-suffering and so jorgving, ‘was the greatest est waste ec ts ola Be went, It wa the sacrifice, and Of it, sometimes, it ee fd showed ignta bad Oy upon them in keeping them up ni and destro! heaithrat fondenctes of childhood, making thea aa before thelr ume, Tuat itis injurious to the mind | Will be readily admitted, if the character of the conversation at dances is considered. The waxy mustached young men who loaf on the street and smoke twenty-cent ego and the elegantly attired female figure, which don’t walk, but struts on Broadway, are the best dancers. In regard IMMORAL TENDENCIES he argued at great length. He showed that the pleasure of dancing was purely animal; that it was ‘he amusement of the rudest races; that 1t showed @ want of that cultivation which would prompt to more intellectual pleasures. He denied tl it min- istered to the msthetic in man’s nature, as did music, said it shocked the truly refined taste and pure love. You have a sister. She is as pure as a child. For any man to approach her with undue freedom would cause your anger; and yet what familiarity 1s indulged in under cover of the dance* Men as unpure as Lucifer use the dance as a cover for impure indulgence, Dancing destroys religion in the soul, The great creed of Jesus is embodied in “blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” 1t was a temptation, andyas such should be avoided, It was always connected with strong drink, even in the most refined circles, He insisted tnat from its tendencies the true Christian could not indulge in it at any time, and prophesied that the day would soon come when dancing would be lett where it started, among the low and de- praved, and Christians would learn to live for the spiritual and the holy, LYBIO HALL, Is it Better to Die or to Live t—Is it Right to Throw a Present Away t—Sermon by the Rev. O. B. Frothingham. The sweet smiles and fresh breath of the Sabbath had @ salutary effect upon the Sunday worshippers- Lyric Hail had its usual large share of the élite and fashion of our city, The subject of Mr. Frothing- ham’s sermon was, “Is it better to die or to live ?” The story in the old legendary book, he began, was about Jonah preaching to the inhabitants of Nineveh, who were pagans, Jonah fees from Nin- eveh, and after passing through a great many adventures he returns and preaches to them and the Lord forgives them. The prophet sits down in sorrow and discontent and cries, “It is better to die than to live.” As he sits beside the seainthe sun the Lord raises a gourd which shelters him from its burning rays. A little worm penetrates the stem of the gourd and It falls withered to the ground. The prophet ts discon- tented because the gourd has withered, First he was tired of life because the people of Nineveh were forgiven, and then because the shade was taken away. This is the way of the world. More than half of the complaint comes from people who do not have what they want—because THEIR LITTLE GOURD WITHERS. To multitudes life 1s a weariness and it is about as well sheltered as that of Jonah, A short time ago a singular discussion arose in England concerning suicide. They wished to decide whether, under some circumstances, it was not admissible tu put anend to existence; and whether if lite became intolerable it was not right to throw it of? The question came up in relation to physical pain. Other causes beside pain make life Intolerable. Disappointment, persecution, sorrow and loss of fortune will drain all the sweetness from the lives of hundreds. Is it right to throw away lite when it has become worthless or useless? Life is @ boen, something given to use, and therefore to be accepted. Suicide is the act of a poltroon, a cowardly thing. Resignation and sub! 10R are IMMORTAL VIRTUES, It is. very old teaching, but it is entirely thrown away. The struggle goes on for the life, not for the intellect, ut for the goods of this world, pleasure and money. We live with our faces towards the ground and our backs towards the sunbeams, What marvel is it that lie is tiresome and disgusting? When the upper region is taken away 1s it wonderiul that life should seem cheap? If success is not given, a sense of utter futility opp ener the man, Another cause of weariness is due to the rage of pleasure. It is the violent reaction from the extreme rigor of pase ages. Now our faces are turned in the direc- on of amusement, and there is a great desire for recreation and entertainment. THE OUP OF LIFE won't be filled with champagne, always brimming over, and all the books must be picture books, There is Ge tee for all that is dull, and a demand for study. There must be perpetual changes, or we are wearied. We could not live as our old ancestors did in the simple pleasures of love and affection. The young girl looks back with regret on her short season of pleasures, The young bride thinks life scarcely worth living for when the honeymoon is over and no more daa The difficulty is that this disposition aifects the education of the young. THE PROBLEM is this, how is this sense of life’s weariness to be met? All that a man has received is a gift he may sores but the pleasure of giving clings forever to his memory. The wheels of time are forever tarning and each to-morrow is something new. Some are always enveloped in a mist, while all sround the sun is shining brightly. There never Was a battle that could not fought through. Who can say that his life is not profitable to him- seif? We are happiest in sunny days. We love God and are more amiable. Those who value themselves wili not complain that life 1s weari- some. 8T, STEPHEN'S CHURCH. The Music of the First May Sunday— The Dangers of Trusting in a Death- bed Repentance, The first Sunday in May was celebrated in this beantifal church with all the pomp, solemnity and splendor characteristic of the Catholic Church. The sanctuary was ablaze with lights; the grand high altar, with its rich background of magnificent paintings, and the altars dedicated to the blessed Virgin and the protomartyr aiter whom the church is named, glowed in the wealth of their decora- tions, and through the stained-glass windows the sun poured in lances of light of every hue, adding fresh glories to the frescoes and pillars of the interior, At high mass the spacious temple was crowded, and devotees of the goddess Fashion forgot for the moment their admiration or criticism of May-day suits in their attention to spiritual subjects. Rev. Father McGurk preached from the Gospel, enlarging in a most eloquent man- ner on the danger of trusting to A DEATH-BED REPENTANCE, He explained how it was against even the dictates of common sense to expect thata lifetime otf sin should be explated ina few moments when the body was racked with mortal agony and the soul, terrified at the prospect of being summoned betore the judgment seat o1 its vifended Creator, was t- capable of entertaining any thought but that of fear, He earnestly called upon his hearers to take warning in time and become reconciled to God while the opportunity was atforded them. The music consisted of Haydn's Mass No. 2, a work which is considered one of the most popular of the composer's Church works. The choir consisted of a doubie vocal quartet, the prin- cipal singers being Mile. Feretti, Mle. Meunier and Messrs. Beruard and Colettl The organist was Mr. Danforth. With all the splendor and evi- dences of taste and unstinted liberality displayed in the appearance of the church truth compels us to say that the rendering of Haydn's beautifur mass, which every choir should know almost by heart, was UNWORTHY OF EVEN A VILLAGE CHOTR. The tempo was wrong in several of the move- ments, and there was anything but unanimity in either tone or expression. The solo quartet is sin- gularly constructed, no two voices being alike in either style or conception of a composer's ideas. The lovely bass solo “Qui Tollis’ received hard treatment, the sioger’s voice consisting, it seemed, tremolo ofa and a trumpet stop, THE ORGAN PALE HREM hele ke Ripa ot one proceeding from the eight singers, evident trom the manner in which this well known mass was performed that a leading spirit in this choir was sadly needed. ‘ime was when the music at St. Stephen's acquired a fame and reputa- tion that extended beyond New York city; but, judging from yesterday’s performance, that time exists no longer. The church should be first in music, as it is in every other respect. 8ST, JAMES’ LUTHERAN CHURCH. Sermon on “Faith,” by the Rev. Dr. At terbury. The radiant sunshine of yesterday brought a fashionable and large audience within the cool and solemn precincts of St. James’ Lutheran church, in Fifteenth street, near Third avenue. The Rev. Dr. Atterbury, who acted officially in the absence 01 the pastor of the church, preached a sermon on THE DIVINE VIRTUE OF FAITH. He selected his text from St. Luke, xvii., 5, where the Apostles say to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” After explaining in full the meaning of the text, according to various interpretations, and showing the numerous reasons why it was necessary for the Apostles to make use o! so significant a phrase, the reverend gentieman alluded to a letter written by GENERAL SHERMAN TO GENERAL GRANT on @ certain occasion during the late civil war, in which the former expressed his feelings towards the latter by reminding him of the explicit faith which his soldiers placed in his words and the rev- erence with which all felt like carrying them into effect. Although the preacher aid not intend to disparage in any Way either the character of the hero or the sincerity of his words, he had still to Say that faith in Jesua was a diferent thing, Jt was an entire trust, confidence, unbounded love in God, the Saviour of men. It was SOMETHING INEXPLIOABLE to those who had never felt His power and werk- ings on their own spirit, As one who has never felt the pain and agony of thirst cannot under- stand the delight and satisfaction to be found by those who are really thirsty in a glass of cold wa- ter, 80 those who are not disposed to receive the warming influence of divine faith feel not its gen- uine sweetness and beauty when bestowed upon them, Again, as the sympathy and succor of a friend ts to one lonely and deserted by all, so is the influ- ence of faith to the soul of the sinner, It lifts him up into A HIGHER SPHERE, a broader plain, a more genial atmosphere, where his life becomes a joy instead of a burden, and where he is enabled to commune with God and his myriads of saints and angeis. How is faith to be obtained? Not by cold and listiess indifference, not by being puffed up with an idea of our own greatness; that we Know ail that is requisite; that we need no further instructions for our sal- vation; but by struggling to increase our friend aip with God; by placing confidence in Him. and rua- ning to him with outstretched arms, as children who are beginning to walk rush in fear to the bosom of their parent. Here the reverend preacher defined faith ac- cording to his interpretation of the word, and thought it was a trust—a perfect confidence in God, rather than a divine virtue, by which we firmly believe what God has Saute. He concluded b; king Ged to infuse the spirit of true faith into the hearts of his audiences; some of whom frequently, during the conciusive words of the sermon, used their handxerchieis freely and were apparently moved to tears by his words. FOURTH UNIVERSALIST OHUROH. Sermon by the Rev. E. H. Chapin—His Allusion to the Herald and Its Enter- prise=The Power of the Word of Christ—Our Corrupt Kepresentation at Vienna. Tne Rev. Dr. E. Chapin began the first sermon of his twenty-sixth year as pastor of the Fourth Unt- versalist church, yesterday morning, with this text, Luke, iv., 32—‘* And they were astonished at His doctrine, tor His word was with power."’ The reverend gentleman said that these words had a deep meaning. There were words which were but woras, and there were words which were formal; words which were sentimental, and words which were bad, because their utterance was not sincere. But the words of Christ had in them a marvellous power, all the force and eloquence of His great per- sonality, There were persons who were fond of depreciating Him and of calling for proof that Christ was the Divine Being we adore. THEY WERE DESTROYERS, and the preacher said to sueh “if we are wrong show us the right?’ They did not believe tn con- stantly fighting error, in perpetually recalling all the heresies of the long and forgotten ages, The way to enforce truth and triumph by it was to as- sert it and always proclaim it; it was by such a course that all error was swamped. Science was constantly doing something to clear up the mys- teries of the hidden universe. Yet science could not doall. He was reminded of a painting exe- cuted by the great French artist Doré, A partially obscured tigure was represented ascending THE STAIRWAY OF SCIENCE, sweeping away the emblems of chivalry, battle axes, bucklers and armor. Science had obliterated many odious errors; yet science could not do all— it was the partially obscured figure, and to follow it toa solution of divine problems would be but leading us to nothingness. The word of Christ was necessary to cemplete the edifice, There were many who contended that the New Testament did not contain prohibitions against social delinquen- cies. Where Christ did not specify evils which have sprung up since his origin on earth they were comprehended in the general probibition against selfishness, for selfishness was the root of many evils, It was urged as argument that slavery was not a sin because the New Testament said nothing against the institution; yet that very institution feil because it was Christ who taught justice and humanity as broad principles in the universe. ‘Truly “His word was with power,” because it had been heard by the greater portion of the civilized world and was at the foundation of Christianity. It was to be regretted that Christianity had been the cause of so many wars. He remembered well, when the first World’s Exhibition was held in Lon- don, the impression obtained that THE MILLENNIUM HAD DAWNED. What terribie wars had taken place since that day! How many nations had been torn asunder! He hoped that @ new era was opening. It was certainly an _ encourag- ing spectacle to witness the arts and industries of the world gathered by the shores of the mighty Danube, & stream linking Asia to Europe; to find kings but yesterday foes to-day friends and patrons of peace under the same rool; to witness the aston- ishing progress of newspaper correspondence and the messages of peace and amity flashed under the mysterious waters of the Atlantic Ocean (evidently referrihg to the HERALD). Lndeed, it seems as if the day might come when the SWORDS WOULD BE MOLTEN into ploughshares and the spears beaten into prun- ing-hooks. He hoped that these exhibitions wouid have an influence in correcting the amazing po- litical corruptions of the United States; indeed, that seemed to be the only article by which we are fairly represented at Vienna (Profound sensa- tion). BROOKLYN CHURCHES. PLYMOUTH CHURCH The May Anniversary at Plymouth Church—The Annual Display of New Members and Flowers—A Falling Off in Both—What Mr. Beecher Intends To Do About Baptizing Children—A Sere mon on the Limitations of Human Thought and Experience. Yesterday was the May anniversary at Plymouth church, and this circumstance, united to the genial sunshine that burst in beaming rays upon all chureh-goers, again filled the house to its utmost limits. It has bees the custom for many years past to signalize the first Sunday in May at “Plymouth” by the reception of a large number of members to the church and by an in- crease of the usual floral display. Both tn members and flowers there was this year a falling of. The former only numbered seventy-four— twenty-three by letter from other churches and fifty-one by profession of faith—as against 120 the corresponding Sunday of last year. ‘The knots of flowers and buds and garlands gay” that Tenny- son’s May Queen so exultantly expected to gather were denied by the unfriendliness of the season to the May queens of Plymouth church, and conse. quently the garlands, the knots of flowers and gay buds did not extend beyond the confines of the platform, instead of buritening the gallery circle and sending their perfume over the house, as on previous years, The seventy-four candidates were admitted as members in a short, solemn, dedica- tory service, and thelr dedication was witnessed and endorsed by the rising at the commence- ment of this service of all the members of the church then present. In the notice that preceded the singing of the hymn be- fore the sermon Mr. Beecher announced that should next Sunday prove fine the children of members of the church and of all believing parents desiring baptism would have an opportunity afforded them, “If it is asked,” said Mr. Beecher, “ifthe children of parents who are not believers ‘will be baptized if they come, 1 SAY, YES, but I say so of the authority that Is within me, and not of this church, which, by tts rules and regula- tions, has laid down the distinction that] had just alluded to. if achild were nigh unto death, and the parents would feel happier if the child were baptized, why should I not doit? Ifthe parents did mot believe in Christianity, but wished their child to be baptized, I will do it. Ido not regard baptism a8 a saving grace, but it certainly would not do the little child any harm and it might do the parents a great deal of good.”’ e sermon was on the limitations of haman know- ledge and experience and their expansion in heaven. The text selected was the second verse of the third chapter of the first epistie of St. John—“Beloved OW are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear What we shali be; but we know that when We shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as He is. “That must be a very poor heaven,” said Mr. Beecher, at the outset of his discourse, “and that must be an ignoble capacity that was capable of being fairly compassed by man’s thought. What woula that mind be that @ child could only understand’ How large would that mind be that was no larger than the child's mind? L should be sorry to have no grander God than that which I can hold in my own poor conception.” The bountifuiness ot God in the fulness of His creation and the helps to our knowledge here that He had given us were then illustrated, in the course of which the preacher said that Mr. Tyndall, in one of his lec- tures, had said that light, when it was noticed by the spectrum, had beams that were BLACK TO OUR EYE, and rays, too, that were formerly unknown. light been coming to us and had existed for age: id yet we had only just discovered tt. When his ‘tar, Beecher’s) dog greeted him with evident signs of affection, ne longed to break up that film that debars the dog from a higher knowledge of him, He would be sorry not to be more than the dog could understand. All that the dog knows is by the antmal in him answering to the anima! that ba recognizes in the one Whom he greets, It was This quite reasonable to su; that men can be wit- Messed by those in the. other tite with as much pity at their helplessness as we pity the dog in ita Capacity to understand. The . Was representattve of all final states was this, that man.is not complete, but is & corn ina Progress. The resources and capabilities of all the elements that centre in man as they affect even this life are little understood, If this, then, be true of his physical condition or his lower nature how much more dificult must it be to form a concep- tion of the nature of man in his higher develop- ments! Consider how ttle we know of his moral faculties, Then we must distinguish between the Knowieiae that comes to us irom the excessive riches of our endowments and that which comes to us from the limitations and the poverty of our ignorance. Heaven would not be a place {i which we shouid stand like fore wax les, twenty on each side, @ bright-burning and a shining light. Heaven was not a place for the peri vr genuflexions. It wilt be peHrormanve of A PLACK FULL OF LIFB, of noblest powers and of enduring affections, This also raised the question so much asked and so lit- tle answered, “Shall we know onr triends there ? Shall we know our children ¥”” How dear and in- tense was this inquiry to every parent's heart! God will not keep my children babes to please me. They must live; they must become princes in heaven; but all that | ask is that they the place in my heart that they did here. Iam sure they will do that. ‘The same answer was applicable to the filling of the void left by departed friends, Friendship was indestructible. Voluntary and in- voluntary forces were at work upon us to prepare us for this newer life and fit us for its appreciation and enjoyment. Let all, then, take courage. God ‘was with us, and our pathway through lile was still upward and onward. TRON TEMPLE. What it is To Be Watchful—What We Are To Be Watchful Against—Our Re- ward—Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Scud- der. Yesterday morning the beautiful Spring-like weather invited throngs of people to attend divine service. Dr. Scudder’s church was filled, and it seems a church that ts rapidly increasing its num- ber of members. Yesterday twenty-two members Were admitted. After the services the Holy Com- munion was administered, The text was Revela- tions iti., 2—“Be watchful.” Whatever method of explanation may be edopted, the fact is indisputable that we are encompassed with peril. It is evident in the physical constitu- tion of things, No one will say that the laws of na- ture are bad laws, and yet those laws, good as they are, bring only destruction and ruin to the care'ess. If you violate the rules of digestion the law which God has given to give health will come upon you like a demon in the shape of dyspepsia, Not only are we called on to watch against me chanical agents, as wind, water, fire and elec- tricity, but we are to WATOH AGAINST OUR FELLOW MEN as our greatest enemies. A man who ceases to watch on this earth might as well cease to live. We are constituted in body and mind with refer- ence to this thing, Man is built vertically, like a watch tower, and in the very top are these watch- ful agents. The defensive weapons in man are in- ferior to those of many animals, but he has reason, and, though swords and lancets don’t grow in his body, he can make them. Ihave thus shown you that man has a@ watchful nature. Be watchiul. In the old classic fable it was said that Argus had 100 eyes and that only two slept ata ume, and man needs to be ARGUS-EYED and always watchful. All this is very real, but it is only a type of higher moral things. Tha text says, “Be watchful.” Watehfulness involves activ- ity of mind and bedy and involves looking out with a purpose, I shall notice but two forms of watching—first, against excursion and incursion of evil. Men tempt us as well as devils. Men must keep their hearts as men in the olden times kept their cas- tes. But there is something more dangerous to our souls than assault from devils and men, and that is the corrupt moral sentiments—corrupt in politics, corrupt in trade. The atmosphere becomes tainted; it loses the oxygen of honesty. Tiere is greater danger in this than tn the assault of man, simply because it is impalpable—instdious. We breathe it without knowing it. A man is called on to watch the WEAK PARTS OF MIS NATURE. Every man ought to analyze himself and find his weak spots, anu then watch them as the Hollanders do their dykes. Watch well, therefore, against the incursions of evil, whether they be the attacks of men or an im- palpable attack. Watch, also, against excursions of evil. Our passions are like horses, easily break- ing from the steady, swinging trot into a gallop. Break them in when they are colts. Never leave them unhitched. Watch ist these excursions. Keep thy heart with all ence, says the wise man. Be heedfal in regard to your heart. Watch for the second coming of our Lord. The revival of the Greek literature, leading to a search of the Scriptures, was a veritable advent of the Lord; but He is to come literally on THE LAST DAY. When we die that is the last day for us, Watch for Him as the virgins, with their lamps trimmed, watched for the coming of the bridegroom, We are to watch also as stewards. The first watchfulness is for love, but in the service of the Lord we are to em- ploy puede , and this is the watclifulness of delity. Watch for the coming of our great Master, 1or we know not when He will come; if we do that it will all be well with us, The marriage of heaven and earth, the marriage supper of the Lamb, the palm branch, the crown, the home and all the beatific vision of Christ is for us, if we do one thing, and that is be watchful. SEVENTH AVENUE OHUROH Dr. Wild on the Possession of Faith— Forcible and Striking Allusions to the Question of the Bible in the Public Schools, President Thiers and the Atiantic Bank Failure. After an exquisite voluntary on the organ and the concluding preliminaries which followed, Dr. Wild, pastor of the church, opened his discourse, selecting his text from Romans, xlv., 22—Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.”” In explanation of the passage Dr. Wild proceeded to speak as follows :— This is an intelligent age. The accumulated forces of centuries have gtven birth to liberty, cul- ture and religious choice, The darkness of the past has become the light of the present. The ak ot the fathers has become a crown of weal to the sons; we inherit much. The extravagance of the sire was tempered by his struggles, and a knowledge of hisown indigence taught him to be charitable. The hardships of the fathers are not imposed upon the present generation, but the spirit of their charity is. We inherit power in our wealth and freedom which are but the projected fruits of their charity. But the times portend trouble. The faith that belongs unto God we are bringing to bear upon men, and the liberty claimed for ourselves we are not willing to allow unto others. 1 desire to speak this morning about the use of the BIBLE IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Iam not ofthe popular belief that it should be retained. The faith of the Protestant Church has arraigned for trial her charity. To the query “Shall the Bible be taught in our common schools?’ Faith answers yes, Charity no, Which shall we abide by. True, it is a matter of con- science ; but only individually so, for, when another man seeks to make his conscience ina religions matter mine he errs; if he enforce it, then he does violence, Because the majority are in javor of its retention dves not make it right. Rights or wrongs are neither made nor unmade by majorities or minorities. Godliness, truth and charity are a ma- Jority at any time. THR OPPOSITE LINE OF ARGUMENT is tyrannical. To support its theory the Greck, Roman and Mohammedan Churches, all of them larger than the Protestant, might Pier us, ar- guing that majority was right. Our Fathers fought just this argument, and it is the force exer- clsed by & bmg on that theory that we are branding the Catholics with. The State cannot support liberal Hd Free aoeitton and consciences e tho} aking truction of the common i Foot tiapartiee ‘A theory that a man would not trust his neighbor with is unfit for himself. See President Thiers, of France. No wonder the late election went against him. He upheld a doctrine for fifty years; but when he had the power to practise it he was afraid to do 1. Some are of the opinion that because they are Christians they should be held above sns- picion. Beware of @ man who wishes to do busi- bess with you on his profession. Look at tie re- cent failure of THE ATLANTIC BANK. Its insolvency is attributed to the men who were at the helm, standing upon their dignity of char- acter to avoid investigation. If the president has a right to question, so has the depositor. Honest men court investigation, and he who cannot bear scrutiny is a rogue, The Doctor concluded his remarks by strongly urging his congregation to be strong in universal liberty, and yield to the Catholics the privilege we would wish them to grant to us, that they might live in the fullest faith and unity. CONFIRMATION IN BROOKLYN. The congregation assembled within the hand- some and spacious edifice of St, Ann's (Protestant Eptscopal), corner of Clinton and Livingston stree Brooklyn, was numerically greater than usaal evening. |The occasion was the administration of the rite of confirmation to seventy-three members of that church. Bishop Littlejohn officiated, as- sisted by the Rev. Mr. Schenck, the rector of St. un'8. xtsnecehiniceletiaaaea Yesterday morning John Hoy, a man sixty-five years of age, of very intemperate habits, lefs his home, 141 Mulberry street, for the purpose of taking @ walk and ng & drink, bat bein taken suddenly ill fell to bre pereny nt and expire goon afterwards. The remains were removeu to he Fourteenth precinct station house and Coroner Rossier Dounad'ta hay an inquest. FUNERAL OF JAMES BROOKE The Obsequies at Grace Church Yesterday—Inwe Premive Ceremonies and Touching Tribute of Respect to the Deceased Journalist— Distinguished Citizens Taking a Last Look at the Remaine—The Inter ment at Greenwood Cemetery. The funeral ceremonies over the ,remains of James Brooks, late editor of the Zventng Express, and for many years the representative in Congress from the Eighth district of this city, were held yea- terday afternoon at Grace church, in Broadway. As Mr. Brooks had been almost universally known in this city, and esteemed by a large portion of its citizens, it was not strange to find that as early as one o'clock a crowd had begun to gather in the vicinity of the church on both sides of Broadway. A long line of carriages ex- tended up the thoroughfare on the east side, and the entrance to the church was kept open by Cap- tain Byrnes and a strong body of police from the Fifteenth precinct. Hundreds of persons of both sexes, among whom were many of our most prom nent residents, passed into the chuurch to take A LOOK AT THE REMAINS of the deceased journalist. The handsome rosewoed casket, containing the body, was placed in the southeastern naive of the ehureh. The upper part of the coffin was open and the lower surface was Profusely covered with floral ornaments, the gifts of the friends of the deceased, presenting a most touching and beautiful picture. Anchors, crosses and wreaths of immortelles, lillies, camelias, japen- icas and tuberoses, most artistically formed, cev- ered every inch of the coffin and hung down on the Sides. The face of the deceased presented a natural @ppearance, although the features were comprease® and pale with the stamp of death. A square silver Plate attachdd to the lid bore the inscriptions— avnesenceres. JAMES BROOKS, Born Portland, Matne, November I Died in the Oity of Washington April ONAN OORT DO EE OIE ODODE OE. Many of the personal friends of the deceased stood for a moment to gaze on the face they had known 80 well in life. Then the police kept the crowd moving in single file, ané thev passed to the altar and around into the main aisle, and s@ through the main entrance of the church. THE MANHATTAN CLUB, of which deceased was a member, the Tamm: Society, the Typographical Union, the Press, ‘Board of Aldermen, Arcadian Cap, and the National House of Representatives, ha® sent com- mittees to attend the funeral, all of whom were im the church, which was densely crowded, at a few minutes belere the beginning of the services, The diferent New York daily journals were repre- sented by some of their attachés, and the entire editorial and reportortal force of the BY press, the latter wearing appropriate BADGES OF MOURNING, also attended the services. The choir consisted of S. P. Warren, organtat; Mrs. Oliver, soprano; Mrs. Barclay, contralto; George Simpson, tenor, and Mr. Pickett, of Onrist church, basso, . The remains of the deceased were brought from Washington in the special charge of the Doorkeeper of Congress, Mr. O. S. Buxton, and Mr. John T, Chauncey, an old employé of the House, The Hon, Samuel J. Randall, of Pennsylvania; Governor Me- Cormick, of Arizona; Hon. J. H. Sioss, of Alabama, and Hon. Mr. Merriam, of New York, came on as@ committee from the House of Representatives te attend the funeral, ‘The remains were brought trom the Jersey City depot on Saturday ev to the VESTRY OF GRACE CHURCH, where they remuined during the night, and were then placed in the southern nave by Sexton Brown and his assistants, The seats on both sides of the main atsle were reserved for the pail bearers, the family and relatives of the deceased, and for the delegations from the diferent bodies who had resolved to sttend the funeral. Ameng those present in the church were Charles O’Conor, Augustus Schell, Arthur Leary, Benjamin F. Manierre, David Dudiey Field, Erastus Brooks, Dr. George W. Brooks, George W. L, Israels, Justice Dowling, John Fox, William R. Roberts, R. J. McMillan and other well-known citizens. The pall bearers were as follows:— THE PALL BEARERS. 1810, 1873, William Tracey, Richard Schell, Cornelius Du Bois, Royal Phelps, Horace F. Clark, Francis Skiddy, George Opdyke, John D. Skiddy. Ata few moments after two o'clock the bell of Grace church began to toll solemnly, as the Rev. Henry E. Potter, the rector, and the Rev. Robert Holden, attired in white surplices and having white scarfs fastened across their shoulders, marched up the main aisle te meet the re! then in charge of the pall-bearers at the southern end of the church. Then the procession was formed—the eight pall-bearers, with linen scarfs, the casket containing the remains, and Mrs, James Brooks, weeping and sup- jorted on the arm of her eldest son, james Wilson Brooks, @ fair-faced and handsome lad of eighteen or nineteen years; Miss Vi ia Brooks, leaning on the arm of her uncle, the Erastus Brooks, Mr. Charles H. Neilson and his wife, Mrs. Mary Neilson (a daughter of Mr. James Broeks) ; and several other relatives of the family. Then followed the different bodies and committees in their order.— THE RECTOR AND HIS ASSISTANT chanted as follows: “[am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet snall ke live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.”’ “I know that Redeemer liveth and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, whom I shall see for pedis and mine eyes shall behold, and not another. “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out,” &c. ‘The coffin was placed AT THE FOOT OF THE ALTAR STEPS, on a trestle, and the clergymen stood inside of the chancel, facing each other, while the organ burat forth into the resonant and grandly-swelling Thir- ty-ninth psalm, beginning with the line: “Lord, let me Know my end anc the number of my days, that I may be certified how long I have to live, “Behold, Thou has made my days as it were & 8 long, and mine age ts as nothing in respect of thee; aud verily every man living is altogether vanity. At this moment the scene in the church was @ solemn and beautiful one. From the glowing rose window above the altar darted LANES OF FIRE, the sun beaming aud making 4 brillant back- ground, and {from the lozenge-shaped panes of 1a8s in the nave and chancel, which sparkied with he hues of sapphire, royal purpie, emerald, jas- per, gold and amber, to the bowed heads in the congregation, the eye glanced to the organ loft and to the casket covered with flowers, and finally rested on the surpliced clergymen, the pecture be- ing one in {ts ensemble that could not have been witnessed in any other metropolitan edifice than Grace church, The assistant clergyman (Rev. Mr. Holden) then read the jesson from the fifteenth chapter of the first Epistie of St. Paul to the Corinthians and twentieth verse :— “Now ts Christ risen from the dead and become the first traits of them that slept. For, since by man came death, by man also came the resurrec- tion of the dead. For asin Adam all die even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” The ceremony OF CASTING A HANDFUL OP EARTH on the coffin was then performed by the minister, and the hymn was sung as follows :— Just as am—without one plea, But that thy blood was shed for me, And that thou bidd'st me come to thee, 0, Lamb of God, I come. A PRAYER WAS SAID by the rector, and then the choir sung:— “Theard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, write, from henceforth blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; even so saith the Spirit, fo rest from tneir fabors.” The solo was sung by Mr. George Simpson. The Lord’ ‘was ti and the relatives and fi at the features of fect “Having "be nm paid to spect having James Brooks, his mortal remains CARRIED DOWN THROUGH CHANCEL AND NAVE: to the main door as the mournful tones of Beeth- oven’s funeral march were played. They were laced by reverent hands in the hearse, taken Ponrtne church, followed by @ long train of sor- rowing friends in carriages, and were finaily in- terred in Greenwood Cemetery, where now the journalist may rest from his labors forever. Hi cainbrocdbre maith MURDEROUS AFFRAY IN JERSEY OITY. At one o'clock yesterday morning an inoffensive man named Patrick Cushing was passing the cor- ner of Monmouth strect and Railroad avenue, when he was set upon by two roughs, r beating him brutally, hacked Whe with knivese indicting seven fright ful stab wounds and causin, injuries that may result in death. The manly straggle made by Cushing for life attracted three policemeg to the scene, who secured tho would-be murderers and lodged them in prison, The wounded man wag conveyed to the hospital. He knows nothing of hig assailants, who give their names respectively as David Sullivan and McGoyern, A DECK HAND DROWNED, Crry or Kingston, N. ¥., May 4, 1878. Gilbert Decker, a young man about twenty years of age, deck hand on the steamer Baltto, felt over« board, near All 1 On pages as A and was drowned, Deceased was the only support Of & wid~ Owed Mosher, Who resider hero.