The New York Herald Newspaper, November 16, 1874, Page 8

4 HE PREACHERS. Yesterday’s Pulpit Lessons of Duty Toward God and Our Fellows. ARCHBISHOP M’CLOSKEY AND THE POPE, Beecher on Man’s Fall, Frothingham on Char- acter aud Hepworth on Obligation. GROWTH OF REFORMED EPISOOPACY. A New Church in Hoboken—Bishop Holly, of Hayti. CHUBOH OF THE DISCIPLES, @ur Duty to the Church and Our Obli- gations to God—Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Hepworth. The services at the Rev. Dr. Hepworth’s church yesterday morning were, as usual, attended by a fashionable and attentive congregation, scarcely & seat in the commodious edifice being vacant when the strains of the organ pealed forth. The reverend gentleman, after the customary exercises, selected his text from Revelation, xxiL, 17—and the Spirit and the bride say, Come.” This rich Oriental metaphor, he said, was full of significance and suggestion, and from it one could weave the whole system of theology. As the man of science from a single bone could in/er the animal, 80 often- times from @ single word, @ clause or text one could look, as through AN OPEN VISTA, and see the truths that lie in the eternal distance arising from earth to heaven in all their grandeur and magnificence, If any invitation should come from the palace on high we should expect natur- ally to find embodied the interest and the affection ‘of Him who took the pains to sendit. Ifone prepares @ banquet board for his friends, and if there be no ulterior motive bebind it, but only disinterested- eas, then the invitation comes with all the higher ‘Welcome, and then the heart of bim who accepts is warmed mm deepest gratitude toward him who so bountifully extends his hand. The Church of Christ had been called since it was instituted by a gteat number of endearing and significant names. It had been called the wife of Christ, because as a true helpmate of her liege lord, who has gone ona Jong journey, she will get the household in readi- mess and make preparations for the welcome at Ris coming, So the Church, since Cnrist left the earth bas been very busy getting this house Feady for that second coming to which she was constantly looking with a joy that was ever great, even unto tears, Again, the Church had been likened unto a virgin, because of the pecullar heritage of the virgin—chastity of person and purity of motive. There was not in ‘her lise that Wuich would soil the garments ofanangeL What @he did Was done from THE LOFTIEST MOTIVES, regardless of self, and caring only for that truth and jusrness, iuat honor and purity, which, like gems of priceless value, had been grven into her charge and keeping. So the Church preserved the NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1874—TRIPLE SHEET. words, “Go on, goon, go on.” These the reverend preacher recited with great earnestness and made & profound impression on the congregation. It Was short metre, he said, but it was @ motto that would never fail and those who followed it would Teap their reward, The services terminated shortly after twelve o'clock, ST. PATRIOK’S OATHEDBAL Discourse by Archbishop McCloskey Description of His Interview with the Pope—How the Holy Father Feels His Position—A Subducd Calmness—Strong Hope for America—The Cause of the European’ Persecutions—A Sketch of Rome as It Is and as It Was—Apostolic Benediction. St. Patrick's Cathedral was yesterday the scene of what might be calied a religious welcome home to Archbishop McCloskey. This had been antici- pated since the announcement was made that the Arcabisaop would preach tn the Cathedral at the high megs yesterday morning. The love and esteem sO often manifested toward the distin- guished prelate oy the parishioners of the Cathedral could not have been wanting on the first occasion of his presence in his own sanctuary after so prolonged an absence, anc hence the church was filled in every pew. Strangers from other parishes also might bo sen among the congregation. The gloomy ar*imnal light of the morning may have had = > thing to do in giving an unusual lumination +o the sanc tuary, but some people might have easily imagined that the sanctuary looked brighter, and that the mass went on more solemnly because of the pres- ence once more on the Archbishop's throne of the aged gentleman who for a good ten years past, Sunday alter Sunday, has been giving this con- gregation the archiepiscopal bieasing. The Vicar General, Father Quinn, Rev. Fatner Farrelly, Rev. Father kearney, Rev. Father McNamee and Rev, Fatuer Saulter, wearing surplices and cassocks, occupied seats in the sanctuary during the ser- vice, the Vicar being on the Archbisnop’s right at the throne aud Father Farrelly on his left. The celebrant of the mass was the Rev, Father Kane, After the first gospel the Archbishop ascended the pulpit, wearing she oruinary archiepiscopal dress, and preached, the subject being tounded on the gospel of the day, which was taken fromethe thir- tenth chapter of Matthew. The following 1s a ayLopsis :— The parables read tp the gospel of the day be- long to a series Of similar Ones spoken at various times and on divers occasions by our Lord to portray the characteristics and teatures of that Church which He came on earth to estabiish. He likens that Church now to & mustard seed; again to tne leaven which expanded and difused itself; again to the grain saved from among the tares; again He presents it as @ little vessel on the waters, which ts tossed about by winds and waves, 80 that those on board are in terror and cry out for heip to the captain. who sleeps, but who awakes and calms the angry waves. Ail this our Lord con- firms and explains in clearer language when He tells His apostles to go abroad and teach all na- tions, He does not teli them of bright and glorious careers in store for them as teachers, but that they shall be as sheep among Wolves, who will be ready to devour them; that their mission would be in a world that bates them, and which, loving only its own, loves only those of this world. When He wrought the conversion of the persecutor Saul He did not tell bim what great things were to be avhieved by him, but of the sul- ferings through which he would go. Th prophecies and parables have been verified 1": "' the hisvory of the Charch. We can see th: compiishment in this day tn the persecuti. bishops, priests and peope. At no time bas wo hatred to the Church been so great as now. It is @ persecution, not perhaps anto blood, but more cooland more systematic, moving with @ craft and power amazing to vebold. It is carried ou in the hope that the Church must yield from an ex- haustiop of vitalenergy. Every blow is aimed at the centre of unity, the representative of its al. vine head, the Vicar of Jesas Christ. Kings, ° ut of the Holy Spirit. It worked not for its own | nefit, out ior the beneft of human souls, Its motives were personal purity and absolute disin- terestedness. ITS CHIEF CLAIM to the regard of the community Was its willing- ness to sacrifice even as the Master did that some souls might be borne out of the travail of douvt aud temptation ito the emancipated state of a higher existence. And again, as in the text, the | church had been called the bride of Christ. In their marriage service it was considered some- what inexpedient in the pledging of each to the other to use the words “love, honor and obey” and for the best of reasons, perhaps, to wit:—That BO man should be obeyed at all times. But the Charch looked to her liege lord and master and ‘Was only too glad to emphasize those three words which bouna her witb a golden link to the person and character of Jesus Christ The Courch ioved Bin, for she was THE CORNER STONE ‘winch was laid to do Him honor, a testament of His glory and His grandeur, andit wae her delight 0 obey Him, for He was wise of mind, strong of ody and encouraging to ner, and always knew @hat was best to do, She impilcitiy yielded to «wi, enjoying the sunlight of happiness irom the Tavi.eut fir vow was recorded to that sublime Muinevt yan the angel of Death sounded the sumMUvuy to» higner sphere ahpve. The question arose tuen—to whom was thé invitation sent? The invitation was sent to every one apon the earth; not to me more than anotber, bat to every one alike; not to the peasant In ms weakness more than to the king in his power; not more to the king in his purple than to the pauper in his filth. Beiore the eye of God all men stood upon an eqnaiity. Rags were nothing—foe linen was nothiug, buf the heart and soul constituted the only aristocracy of which the Facher took any pote. The Almighty was NO RESPECTER OP PERSONS. His object was to save us ail, and there would be greai rejoicing on the last day u, when the roll Wat Called, every one answered to bis name and Mo one of all the millions of the earth should be found missing. If such might be the case thought God Himself would be more than happy, and glorious notes would come from the victorious and rejoicing spirits that minister unto the Most High. The iavitation, then, as mentioned in the text, was extenued to all, without distinction, and 4)i should yield themselves captive unto Him. if captivity was obnoxious, then let the people come like the disciple, who sat at the feet of his | Teacher, and was taught the words of life. One truth in the economy of religion lies in the fact ‘hat if the Chureh was an aristocracy, OR EXCLUSIVE IN ITS MEMBERSHIP, there would be a great desire on the of mankind to befong to it. The reverend gentie- man then went on to exp! as be: out the words of the text, that tae Almighty invited man- Kind to be participators in the joys He had pre- pared for them. He dilated at considerable lengtn on the goodness of God as well as on the ingrati- tude of the human heart. Ingratitude and the forgetfulness of gifta conterred upon us were | among our strongest peculiarities, and, a6 @ mat- | ter oj culture, we snould urge on an expression of cnr affection towards God and peer noe the. mecessity of giving thanks, not only for the bright Yeatures which marked our existence, but also for the misfortunes which might sh: wit. Every- thing we had in this world came m God, and temporary disappointment should mot create a feeling of ingratitude for past favors. In what way were we BOUND TO THE CHURCH and 10 God? First, we were bound to tnem by human | Bature, Science in these latter times had been playing “hige abd go seek” with religion. Science ‘Of its Jree will and accord had put itseif in antago- nism against the Church, and mot only argued against it, but managed tn some way to sneer at it, to laugh at our deepest faith as though it were the superstition of an earlier age. He was sorry | all the thieves from the provinces in Italy. princes, potentates are united in their powerful Opposition agaist the Ponti in the see of Peter. But as we look at this passing scene what moral grandeur, dignity and moral power do we see in the Holy’ Father! It was my privilege while in Rome to look upom the face of this oe- | loved pontid, to kneel at his feet, to | hear his kind, paternal words, so that I can bring you tidings of ms sufferings. It was my privilege tn fulfilment of my duty after holding this archiepiscopal gee ior tep years to make a yisit to Rome to report to the Sacred Congregation and to present myself to the Holy Father to ask for the apostolic benediction for my priests and people and for everything committed to my charge. [had not been in Rome two days when the Pope, through the proper source, invited me to visit him. I was received in the private cabinet of His Holiness, and after receiving his blessing, and while I was still kneeling, he in- vited me to a seat at his side, Asi looked at the face ot the Holy Father I was struck with delight and astonishment at the evidences depicted. When I had given expression to some thoughts he said he was in good health. He never looked more serene or bi sweeter smile than now, nor did he seem to be ‘subdued. in looking at him and listening to his woras my heart was filled with wondering reverence. Eighty-two years over that venerable head and with iis latter years of sufferings; and still he is caim, coliected, serene, as if a trouble had never crossed bia heart, aud as if his days were flowing on tn calmness peace. Whence this extraordinary repose, this peace? It is because the Pope sees in all things the finger of od. ‘Whatever trials and persecutions he 1s submitted to he endures, He rests in the confidence of Di- vine protection. He ta the Vicar of Christ, and is calm because he is thought by bis Master worthy ol suffering in His cause. So calm ia the Holy Father that when bishops and priests approach him to offer consolation the words fade from their lips as the first words of his congolation for taem fall upon their ears, and they leave him fall of his burning eloquence. I presented to him the ofter- ings oi the archdiocese, and he pocemed nis thanks and added his warmest admiration of the Catnolics of this country. He congratulated us on our being so far removed irom the trials in Eu- rope, and he rejoiced that here the Oop- tunity was afforded of worshipping God accord. ing to one’s conscience, He did not conceal the hope he felt of tue growth of Catholicity in America and for its ultimate triumph in our pros- rous country. The harvest, he said, was great, at the laborers few. He spoke of his dear Italy, not in the bitter spirit-of the persecuted, but with a love for{t that made his heart bleed for the mis- fortunes that nad come a8 it. How changed Rome is! Once it was the Holy City. Lacordaire gaia of it there was holiness in the air that sur- rounded it, and another eminent divine said Rome had the dialect of heaven. You might walk through the streets then and never hear a word uttered that would offend modesty nor that was a biasphemy. it was @ city living as a family, all worshipping God. Now you cannot walk through Rome without shuddering. Print snops flaunt in tueir windows insult, blasphemy and personal caricatures of the Holy Father. If you pass through the streets in ecclesiastical ress fa cannot help hearing mutterings of curses, ven the worst vices are openly paraded. And | ajl this ts devised ior the urpose of estroying the jaith. The haters of Catholicity knew that the surest way to destroy the faith was to procure bad morais, and hence immodest | books, and books tending to ridicule religion, and | representing ministers of religion in @ ridiculous | light, are freely circulated. Tne youthful femaie | is sought for to put of this work. Material prog- ress, ho doubt, Rome has made, but walls cantor hide the corruption that prevails. Well may the heart of the Holy Father bleed when he reflects over these things. Rome is to-day the Fetugy ce ‘0! beries are of frequent occurrence, and one cannot for this, but at the same time he was not atraid. | Despite ali science cowd accomplish, religion | would last to the end of time, it would last until | its great mission Ws accomplished, Just as in | diseases of the body, 30 ‘im diseases Of the | min ‘The patient on recovering trom typhoid | fever, for instance, was oftentimes as good in | every respect as he was before, and the same might be said of intellects that had become disor. dered. For some time past the community bad Doticed instances of acute TYPHOID BRVER INTELLECTUALLY; | but the physicians had prescribed for the patients, | and their iliness might tend to their spiritual ad- Vantage, So long a8 & Man was alive he would be instinctively and naturally bound to the Alupighty. re had never been an age in the world that | man had not by some type or some illustration | Aemplifled bis trust in God long before 1¢ became | matter of revelation. Man had irom all umes OWN an instinct to Worsnip in some form, and | ail the science in the world had never been able to dissuade mankind from @ dependence on God. | No matter bow bad a man might become he would Jee) at some time remorse of conscience, and that j ‘Was the joundation stone of bis theology. Every map had bis orignt side—every criminal had & spark whieh angels mignt at some time fan Into & ame. in the se a place we were pound by the ‘ace Of God, His yoodness, graciousness, His i+ rest in us. it was A GLORIOUS THEME, Hone more glorious in the world. Everything be donging to us we heid by His grace, everything that could contribute to our happiness—rel- atives, iriends, possessions, everything. The rev erend gentieman alluded in eloquent terms to the explanation of the words “By the grace of God [ am whatl am,’ a8 explained by the Rev. John Newton, and dilated at consideravie jength upon the goodness of God, His infinite mercy, Ais love and self sacrifices for mankind and the interest | @hich He took in humanity. We were bouna to God by the deepest obligations, COMMON SENSE told us that everything we have in this world ts the gift of God. Above ail, it should be remem- bered that »; the grace and goodness of | God we wore Ii higher and higher, ana in this | connection he could not resist the temptation | of calling to mind and repeatin what might seem ludicrous, but delivered as they were | @04 under sucn circumstances, they cowid Not tail of vbeir effect, They ail the poor Indian, He had been in great trouble. After his conversion be came in high glee to one Of the missionaries, stating that he had composed a | they possessed having been taken from them remember the verse of go outside of the city wails for any distance with. out belng accompanied by a guard on account of the brigande. Here is the boasted work ot civil- ization, @ Work worse than any that belongs to paganism. ‘Then the Archbishop paid a beautiful tribute to the late Bishop Bacon, who was his friend and | associate during the Ure ood across the Atlantic, | and who was spared only long enougn to die on ' was to teach what they believed to be » had to confront power in its u violent and oppressive form. It seems passed away, leaving no trace. Martin Luther appeared without the least idea of what was be- fore him; he spoke his word, and having spoken it was frightened, and hastened to make peace with His Holiness in Rome. fled, the man within him woke from its lethargy, ana HE BECAME THE GIGANTIC CoLossts, and Protestantism leaped full armed into exist- ence. Now, suppose the Roman Church had said, “Oh, well, it 18 of no consequence, let him alone; let him make a fool of vimself till he gets tired of it.” Uf the Roman Church had pursued that policy, there would have been no Martin Lather, no Prot- estantism, no new religion. has learned a lesson and heretics are not perse- cuted. They have nothing to Sght, consequently they cease to be fighters, Indi expensive, character is an exceedingly costly ng. for men to ventilate any ideas that come upper- most, | ter | to something like achievement, to be fait | the colored population of our city and a large Teaching the soti of his native city. He then went On to speak Of the storms that might yet ve ahead for the Church. But, no matter how apparently shattered we might de, the Church would rise up more glorious tuan be- fore. And we pad much to console us, These ersecutions had made Catholics more united; it ad given new force to an old bond and had freshened devotion. Especially was this so in France, He had seen whole congregations upon | whose countenances the spirit of true devo- | tion rested. The churches daily were filled | with people attending mass. God bad | sent them humiliation and the people ol that country were now, when bowed down, putting their trust in God and seeking mercieS, God's purpose in our recent persecu- tions, no doubt, was this, He knew that nations had to be afflicted in order to oring them back but we should rememoer that, though the hatred of the enemy only increased, still that God was | good and that the Church must triumph. A most remarkable sign Of our victory arose irom the that in the persecuted countries the visuopa and | clergy had proved iaithful, There had been no | bishop @ traitor. In all the schisms and reforma- | tions with which the Chnrch, from ume to time, had been angaiied, bishops and priests had been | implicated. ban! jaily in Germany the clergy hed | been acting wit! at unanimity, Neither prison nor snffering coula intimidate them. Everything they were now living on the charity of the people; but they were still at their posts and wiliing to die before surrendering their iaith. We must from the pondering Of all these things become the more attached to the Catholic Oharch. Parents especially should watch over the chil- Gren, We need Unity among us all. We should ace that no one sows the tares among the wheat. If Goa chose to try us our lives should be such that He would find us faithfal. At the close of the sermon the Archbishop an- nounced that a mission by the Jesuit Fathers would open in the Cathedral on Sunday next, advantages of which ne strongly urged. He then | told the congregation how grateful to God ne feit | jor DB kale return among his loving people and | Worse o' abort MeUE. and My ecsiasi¢s be read the how thankin) he was to them for their uray- vrs and good wishes, Finally, before leaving the Pp for the benefit ofthe diocese over which Bishop loley 1s to preside, vin nt polpit, he invited the congregation to kneel to re- Among the (i ceive the apostolic benediction, which he impartea [| were Kev. Dr. Patten, Rev. Dr. Dennison, . Dr. in the asual form. G. B. Cooke,, of Petersburg, Va., and Dr. Peters PANROREIs (colored). LYRIO HALL Character—Its Friends and Its Foes. Mr. Frothingham’s large congregation began to show signs of impatience yesterday morning, as be was even later than usual, it being nearly eleven o'clock before he took bis accustomed seat. The Service was opened by the reading of selec tions from the Hebrew Bible, Arabic Koran, and the Htndoo Scriptures. Mr. Frothingham announced his theme as “Character: Its friends | ™!20% and Foes.” Said he, by character I mean what is commonly meant by strength of individuals, force of being, power to stand alone. I don’t mean | P4*: goodness: I mean no combination of moral quall- ttes, This thing I mean by character is quite inde- pendent of what men call virtue or vice; it 1s what may be properly defined as disciplined wil, dniied | Of Much beauty, purpose, one whose impu‘sea and desires are his own; one whose impulses and desires are not hi ‘own are not expressions of his own will, but are borrowed, hag no character. When we speak of @ person’s strength of character we have no reference to his goodness or his badness, we mean simply persons who stand by themselves. Sometimes it may be nothing more than eccen- tricity; but still, so far as it departs from tne beaten way, itischaracter. Obaracter may belong to a philanthropist or a pirate; it is altogether in- dependent of moral qualities, In human affairs this thing eharacter plays a very Conspicuous part; we are inclined to think sometimes that it ts the only thing that does play a conspicnons part. No mere combination of qualities, however excellent, has power; on the other hand a person may be un- Just, cruel and oppressive, ana stiil have charac- ter, the independent will. And all these things be- come fascinating. There is no personage in the universe so FASCINATING AS THE DRVI1, simply because it was by his force of mind that Lucifer had the courage to rebei against Jehovah, and was thus enabled to carry off half the host of heaven. So high stands this thing (character) that all people feel a little insulted if not supposed to possess it. I took up an ad- dress of a strong Western man, in which he says every person shoud weign as much asa unit, every mind oula think and consider for itsel!; every soul should repel dictation, whether from bad or good, whether from men or gods. These are yery brave worda, but it 18 @ dream, a vision. We associate it with the millennium, For, consider we are born into a world already made, Every- thing around us ts the growth of time, Every idea that is spoken by people about os has been formed by the constant attrition of thought in the centuries gone by. Custom meets us at the cradle, accompanies us every inch of the way, and does not leave us till we draw our last breath, and we know nothing of it till it 1s too late to do any- thing aboutit. There is nothing arbitrary in this order of things; nobody made the world, tt made itself, and yet, although custom Is law, and tradi. tion is law, and law is law, there ts an Infinite variety of people. Take the Koman Catnolic Church, with a prince, AN ABSOLUTE PONTIFF AT THE HEAD, who orders exactly now they shali worship; still there are no two believers alike. It 1s @ good thing on the whole, the best possible thing, that individuality should be so girded about and pressed as itis. it is a law of mature that it snould be go, We read with astonishment and pity of past persecutions ; how men whose thoughts | urned in words, and whose strong purpose ng to us that men should face death in order to secure the power o! {ree utterance Of their own gonvictions. A generation before Luther there were men and women who thought just as Luther did afterward, but not having aracter they As he was repelled and de- The modern Charch Vidualism is very Is it any too costly? Suppose it were easy what would result? Why the surface of soctety would be full of loose and lazy people of no account whatever. Some people speak of character as il it were a live thing, already formed and fashioned, ready to come out as soon as tt has permission; but it has to be worked tor and earned. These are the friends of character, WHAT ARE ITS FOES when these are its friends who beat and buffet Mtabout? Its toes are inertia, sluggisbness, love of ease, dislike of toil, disposition to slirk all re- sponsibility. We live in the most independent spot on the planet. The conditions of life in New York are so easy shat character becomes difficult from that very reason. There 1s no despotism, no Testrictions, mo authorities that a willow wand cannot pierce. Touch it with your littie finger and it is broken. There is no necessity for men of steel; men of ywter or lead will answer the purpose of break- ing through any conventionalities we have. So in politics, men speak of the despotism of party. ‘There is no such thing. There is no tyranny, tuere are no dungeons, no fires, men may belong to any party they choose. In a déspotic form of gov- ernment characters are created by the score, but here it is hard to find anybody who bas a mind thoroughly his own. This awful thing we read about as THE WORLD, THE FLESH AND THE DEVIL has gone, there ig no such:thing as the world that we are obliged to assert ourselves against. Even Teligion, which used to be the despot of despota, is despotic no longer. It used to be as much as ‘our life was worth to assert your own opinions. low is it now? You may be anything you like or nothing. We wonder that men ever thought it worth while to oatile for an opinion. It used to be that apostasy was the sin of sins; now we scarcely know what it means. This fleld of battle isa eld of battle no more, but a pleas- ure ground; and yet, though there may be ad- vant: on the score of kindness and peace, there great disadvantage. Wnat would the world be without character, and if we are to have it Ir MUST BE EARNED; it is not forced on us. It should be stimulated in every way. Study that the child may be a manor woman when it grows up, not a mere parasite, It is hard work, and requires thought, attention and patience. If | were a conventional person I shoulda Bay it requires prayer. Individuality is a gilt, it is true, and yet something may be done to rescue even the smali ‘ains of charac- from obliteration, Let each man and woman set fully in view the fact that there are such things as duty, responsivility, op- portunities, aspirations, that must not be allowed to drag in the dust. By doing this, the thing we call purpose, character, individuality, is slowly built up and matured; and when called by the word duty, we shall not say it is the idle tram- ig] 2 Spiritum Sanctum” and | 8T. STBPHEN’S CHURCH, Sermon by the Rev. Father McCauley— The Birth of the Christian Church— Her Miraculous Propagation. The high mass at St, Stephen’s yesterday morn- img was celebrated by the Rev. Father Carroll in presence of & large and attentive congregation, Toe music of the mass, Meiner’s No. 2 in D was given in & creditable manner. The “Christe Eleison,” a duet for sopraro and alto, was rendered in excellent style, “Et interra of the “Gloria,” @ trio tor tenor, alto and basso, which is considered the gem of this mass, was done full justice to by the singers. In the “Credo” the “Genitum non factum,” a tenor solv was @ pleasing performance. “EG resurrexit.” “Et “Qni locatus," noticeable compositions, and received treatment at the hands of the choir and organist. The ‘Sanctus’ and ‘Agnus Del,” arranged from preceding numbers of the mass by the organist, Mr. Daniorth, seemed to tmpress the audience very Aeronenly: In the altor- noon Mercadanti's vespers, G, Montinino’s ‘Salve Regina” and Mercadanti’s “Tantum Ergo” were Go in presence of a crowded audience, many of hom do not belong to the Catholic Church. Aiter the first Gospel of the high mass the Rev. Father McCauley preached from the Gospel of the Sunday—Matthew Xiil., 31-36—on the miraculous propagation of Christ’s kingdom on eartn. In the day's Gospel our Lora compares the Church to A GRAIN OF MUSTARD SEED, ‘which 1s, as He tells us, the smallest of all seeds, ana from which ascends a tree, in the branches o1 which “the birds of the air’? find shelter. What @ true and beautiful gure is this of the humble beginning and propagation of the Christian Church. ‘Aa we consider the tiny mustard seea, whicn the slightest breath may blow out of sight, and behold so small and insignificant an object develop into a large tree with far outstretching branches, the wonderful result excites our admi- ration, Like it, the Church was insignificant and humble in its birth. Like the first creation, it sprung from nothing, Ita Founder was born in a stable, then driven into exile, led a life of poverty and reproach and suffering, and died as a reputed malefactor, nailed to across. His disciples were, without an exception, poor and illiterate, and the first converts generally of the humbiest class and their preaching opposed to all the wisdom, elo- quence and power of the world; yet that grain of The other themes, are Within a quarter of a century from the death of our Lord the Gospel was generally diffused tnronghont the vast Roman Empire, and the tidings of faith told throughout tne whole civitized world, This rapid propagation of the Churcn isa strong proot of its divine origin. ALL SOULS’ OHUROH. Bellows Upon the Old Law and the New. The Rey. Dr. Bellows preached yesterday morn. ing at All Souls’ churcn from IL Corinthians iii, 11-14—“For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious, Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: and not a8 Moses, which put 4 veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished, But tneir minds were blinded; for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the ola Testament, which vail 1s done away in Ohrist.’” The reverend Dogor said that God had tenderly and fatherly let us Know here through Paul the fate of the old dispensation, and He had spoken in unmistakable terms of the future of the new order of things. The old order of things had been glorious, but was now superseded by a new, which was infinitely more so. A primary school 18 glorious, because it 18 a neceesary preparation for the academy, which was in turn glorious, but only awaiting the better step of collegiate lie. So was the chrysaiis glorious until tne !uller being of the butterfly was reached. So was man glorious until the better life beyond this world, which was in- finitely more 80. The Mosaic law was done away with, spite of 1ts glory, and when Christ appeared 4 was only doing away with tt formally. The law which had been that of centuries, and was stated by the Almighty to be the law which he had given, was received by tne early Christiana as His word and has never been totally done away with, as slavery after the proclamation of our great President still continued to exist and will ive yet in the minds, at least, of many for years to come. The true theory, then, is that of relorma- tion instead of evolution, accepting the past in order that it may benefit us to know what to do in the future. na bane {8 not alive, but it hag life. It nas leit seeds of what !t was, which are still springing up in our midst, argue from opinions and from certainties. Some things exist incontrovertibiy. We cannot, for instance, deny that London exists, because we know it does; but we can doubt whether London or Paris would be good places of resi- dence, because that 13a meré opinion. It does not follow that because two people take the op- oo of a question One must be right. It may be at Rev. Dr. Men of science BOTH ARE WRONG IN PART. Things of science are things of certainty, and it is only when we are positive that fact begins, Now the nature 01 God, for instance, 1s one of those mysterious indefinables which one may challenge, and even to the word everlasting, when applied to punishment, we may doubt its meaning. Language has andergone so many modifications since the Bible was written or its words spoken that words which have long since changed their meaning are taken by some to mean the signification of the present day, and we are wrong in always having the same opinion as our father. MADISON SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN OHUROH. Glorifying God in Death—Sermon by Rev. E. P. Parker, of Hartford. Yesterday morning a very fashionable congre- gation filled the Madison square Presbyterian church to listen to Rev. E. P. Parker, of Hartford. The music at this temple of worship was, as usual, very fine, the quartet choir of the church render- ing the services here very attractive. The first prayer offered by Mr. Parker was as follows “On, Lord God, our heavenly Father, unto Thee we bumbly direct our prayers. Without Thee we are as nothing. Merciful Father, grant that Thy Holy Spirit move and direct our hearts in all things. Let Thy mercy rest not only on this congregation, but on all congregations, that Thy people will have rest and communion in Thee, and that Thy Word may be glorified. Graciously hear our sup- plications and plenteously answer tuem is our fer- vent prayer.’? ’ The thirty-third hymn of the collection was then sung With fine erect, commencing as follows :— Saints, with pious zeal attending, petting of fools, but it is the call of God, cal. us ful servants in @ good cause. 8T. PHILIP'S CHURCH. Sermon by Bishop Holley, of Hayti— Man’s Insufficiency Without God. St. Philip’s church was crowded fast night by number of white people, to listen to the farewell sermon of Bishop Holley, of Hayti. Bishop Holley is the first colored bishop of the Protestant Epis- copal Church ever ordained in this country. He is & native of Hayti and in every respect a most in- telligent man. He is well educated, speaking fluently the French language, and under- standing English perfectly. In color the Bishop 1s rather light, with a benevolent face and @ finely moulded head. He scemed thoroughly to understand the high calling he had entered upon, and, as fay as one might jadge, was just the man to sway his race in the island that he is to preside over. The Bishop took his text from II. Corinthians, parts of several verses:—‘‘Who is euMicient for these things!’ “Our sufficiency is of God,’ “Tuen I am-weak, then | am strong,”’ The theme of his discourse was that the law of God was so much higher than man could compre- hend that it required an interpreter, and that interpreter was Jesus Christ. He had united His life to ours in such & way that He could make us understand the higher and perfect law of God, and without Him we could do nothing, There was no grace for man except through Christ Jesus. And He had wild us plainly that God was absolutely necessary in ail our undertakings. We could conquer nothing without faith in Him. The Bishop pointed our clearly, then, how necessary it ‘Now'a gratetul tribute raise; Joytu! songs to heaven ascending, join the untversal praise. The eighteenth chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew was selected for the Scriptural les- son; At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, say- ing, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven!” ind Jesus called a little child unto him and set him in the midst of them and said, “Verily I say unto you, ex- cept ye be converted and bécome as a little child ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heayen.” A collection was taken up for the New York Bible Society and for the Female Bible Society, after which Mr. Parker selected as lis text the nineteenth verse of the twenty-first chapter: of the Gospel of St. John—“Then spake he, signifying Dy what death he snould glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saivh unto him, “Follow me‘? The preacher said tt was partly to prepare Peter for the revelation of his deatn that Onrist an- swered him in this wise, and espectaliy did it so seem when he asked him so often, “Do you love me, Peter?’ “Peter, do you indeed love me?” and which evoked thé answer, “Lord, thou knowest all things, thon knowest that I love thee!” And 80 we have the ancient legends to prove to us that Peter was indeed crucified, “with bis head duwn- wards.” Behold what a faithful Unristian life and service means! [t invi ‘he utmost patience and self-sacrifice. The Lord’s simple instructions stand there:—“Lovest thou me? teed my sheep.” How truly Christ turns us away from all sentimentality in serving CORNELL MEMORIAL M. B. CHUROH, Christ’s Mission on Earth—Sermon by the Rev. Aaron 8. Akin. The anniversary of the largest Methodist Sun- Gay school in the city was celebrated inthe chapel corner of Seventy-sixth street and Second ave- nue yesterday morning. Rev. Aaron 8, Akin, of the Alabama Oonference, occupied the pulpit, He Was tnat we love and serve and jear the Father, and try to come to Him through His Son, who re- deemed the world, We gould at all times have Christ on our side, and THEN WE NEED FEAR NOTHING. Jesus Christ alone had fulfilled the laws of God, and (¢ was our duty to foliow as closely in His foot- steps a8 Our Weak and sinful natures would | £3! permit. The Bishop closed his sermon by a beautifal an 4 Pathetic appeal to ail present to love God with all | Of thetr strength, and, taking Christ for thelr exam- Die, to foliow alter Him. He haa borne His trial Jor our sake that we might live; let us learn from Him and pattern after Him, that we might fnaliy when he was far away, and pray that God would give him strength to his duty. At the close Of the sermon a collection was taken 6 | reat ineverlasting peace and glory. ‘Ike Bishop | songsters, Now, ‘ed that the congregation might remember him | wii proceed to my sermon. ehose ag his text II, Corinthians, vill, 9~ “For ye know the grace of our Lora Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he be- came poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” I have mot veen accustomed, he be- to addreas @ congregation like this; neither e 1 been accustomed to preach in a hall this descriptton. My preaching has been done in cabins; and sometimes 1 Rave preacic in the open air with an old gray stone for my pulpit and often the birds for my having made my excuses, I We have in this vext the original riches of Ohrist, His subsequent pov- erty and the richnoss of the Ohurch, We find Ho Ki universal He was not only rich ta Cominlos rich m proprietorship. By Him consist, Gravitation governs and way or ap estate tn the country, but what ts such wealth to the riches of Jesus Cbrist? Mary, His mother, Was poor, and 80 was Joseph, His father. They were compelled to do manual tabor. Two ‘oung pigeons and a turtle dove were all that ‘a sda yoseph could offer as @ sacrifice for the piri of the world’s Saviour. There was NO ROOM FOR HIM IN THE INN. ‘There ig never any room for Him in the inns, He was not laid in a silver cradle. but in a manger. He was poor in His life, houseless and very nearly friendless. He was, besides this, poor in His repu- tation, He was called a carpenter and was em- ployed with His father, The term carpenter was ‘D8ed BS AD opprobrious epithet, They accused Him of drunkenness, gluttony and famiharity with the publicans and sinners, They denounced Him asa egy nog He who owned the universe had no place whére He could be buried at His own expense. What a life on perenne and suffering was that for our Saviour! Was ever poverty so deep through a life of labor so great! Here ts aseem- ing paradox. How can the poverty of one prove the wealth of many? He links humanity to His divinity, Jeaus proposed to wed humanity and divinity, and place it within the range of mercy. Hence our Saviour became our elder brother. He isin heaven to-day as our mediator. Christianity has an experience, and it embraces salvation by grace and justification by faith. I would not give much for @ religion that had no experience ; for one that consisted of grand music, the burning of incense, splendid cathedrals an many theories, BROOKLYN CHURCHES. PLYMOUTH CHUROH, Mr. Beecher Preaches on the Fall of Man—The Orthodox Notion of Evil Disavowed. ‘The pleasant but novel spectacle of a house that ‘was filled, but not crowded to overflowing, greeted the early attendants at Plymouth church yesverday morning. Before the sermon began the entrances Yo the doors and aisies were crowded aa of old, however, and there was the same eager, bustling, crushing groups at the entrances that disturb the feeling of serenity in worship to those whose pews are near the doors. Mr. Beecher preached one of his characteristic sermons, on the “Fall of Man,” im which was expressed views that have @ tendency to discomfort the orthodox. The text selected was the eighth verse of the second chap- ter of Ephesians:—‘For, by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Mr, Beecher commenced by stating that the institution of divine revelation or teaching has 108 limitations, and these go far to determine the method of instruction in every age. ‘There can be no other teaching except such as 1s in accordance with the faculty, conception and moral con- Gition of those to whom the teaching is sent. The experiences, the volitions that attach to men in their ideas, their institutiuns and their customs, that run with their philosophy, will have much to do with the manner and the form of the mstruc- tion, We see thie not only to be so philosopii- ity bus historically; thas this is the mode in whic! MODERN TRUTH has been developed. It has reformed itself a8 to methods and as to habits, The truth has received power in each of the ages in which it nas come to mad, and that in the ancient time which obtained during the period of the prophets the instraction derived trom them 14 very different in its adaptation and methods to that which was given by Jesus Christ. When the apostle of the Gentiles went forth taking the great substantial trutos of Christ and teaching them whea he preached to theJews, he adapted Limself to the use of figures in the illustrations of manners and customs that the Jews understood. Bat when he went to Athens he formed his moae of address to the intellectual conception of the Greeks. Hence has sprung the institution of the adaptation of great truths that have been desired to be taught in the Christian church, The iaw of development, therejore, is that we begin at the bottom and not at the top. It 18 this which makes preaching necessary. ‘Then as to this question of evil. 1 belteve that gil mankind are sinful, and yet I can not accept the terminology of the Charch. Men say that man- kind is totally depraved. 1 can understand that tp the language Oo! poetry and emotion 1 may say that “1 am vile; but when I come to exact and philosophic statement J cannot say that men are polluted. Suppose J were to come into this house and address you solemnly and say, “You're worms! you’re worms!” you could mot believe it. In the presbytery, and when a man’s charac- ter is under examination, it is generally the course to be very orthodox in regard to this, Bus I cannos believe that a pair were placed in a garden, and because they craved the food that their senses ree quired and did eat thereof that God for this act has stretched a polluting and garage upon all the nations, and that all mankind is to be eternally lost therefore in the wortd to come. But it is said 1f you set aside the histarical origin of man’s sinfulness, What have you to putin its stead? Ihave nothing to put in its stead except tue testimony which history gives. I think that Will show that man was created at the very mini- mum poipt of humanity, and that historically the unfolding of man kag been very gradual. Look at the actual condition of the race to-day, Beiore the sun goes down to-day there wil) be born in Airica one thousand children. These thousand children are started in life without conscience, with little faculty. They bring with them the cul minated tendencies of their parents. These chil- dren have not had the advantages of orthodox preacners. Dtd these children {fail in their orig- inal righteousness? When they were created they were simply A BUNDLE OF CAPACITIES, and that ts the condition of ninety-nine children out of every hundred. Men are born not only without original righteousness, but they are born without anything. They are at zero when they are born. They can cry; they can suck: they can sleep, and that is about the extent of their accom- plishments. Mr, Beecher, iu referring to the conditions in which men are born, described the luxurtapt growth of the oak in the temperate clime of Virginia and the oak born tn a Northern clime. The shriveled oak, no matter what caused lt, Was there, and had that condition. Mr. Beecher closed by describing what salvation was, and gave an illustration of how imperfectly the Esquimaux would form @ conception of a warmer and more civilized state of existence in more temperate latitudes, Salvation, then, was found in the ability of the soul to feed on God and to to communion with the feeder. He closed by the inquiry as to what his congregation had done to earn this salvation. If they went back to the text it said that God was rich in mercy, and that “it is by grace we are saved.” BEDFORD AVENUE REFORMED OHUROH. Twenty-fiftth Anniversary—Commomo- rative Discourse by Rev. Dr. Porter. The Twenty-fifth anniversary of the Bedford avenue Reformed church, in Brooklyn, was cele- brated yesterday. Rev. &. 8. Porter, the esteemed and able pastor, preached an eloquent discourse appropriate to the interesting occasion. His text ‘was taken from 1. Vorinthians, iv., 20—“for the kingdom of God 1s not in word, bat in power.” In his onening remarks he said that the Greeks were great lovers of the art which may be displayed in speech. They found in mere rhetoric a charm for their refined tastes. They were keenly alive to the subtle spirit of eloquence. In poetry they dis- cerned a semi-divine force to which their sensibili- ties moved as readily as leaves to summer winds. Bat, above all, the Greek mind delighted in the mysteries and labyrinths of philosophy. The various chiefs of the several schools, Platonic, Aristotelian or Stoic, each had many disciples, who were ever attempting to solve the problem of human destiny by abstruse and abstract reason- ing. The resuct was weakness, confusion and doubt. Paul was unwilling to have the Gospel classified among the popular philosophies taught by the Sophists in all the chief centres of ancient civilization. There were not a few even in Athens, the city of Minerva, who would readily have ac- cepted the fundamental principles of Christianity could they have been recognized as the latest dis- coveries of human reason, but were oflended when told that all these principles centred in Christ as the tncarnate revelation of divine wisdom, In the text the apostle virtually says, ‘In- agmuch as the Kingdom of heaven ts not in word, butin power,I shall not come to beguile you with sophistries or dispute with you after the manner of the schools.” The Word of God ts identical with the power of God. The tmperisha- ble truth or the Gospel ts the life and substance of the divine kingdom. view of the matter is justified 35 ie Paul elsewhere says in this epis- tle—‘‘And I, brethren, when I vame to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom (philoso- phy) declaring unto you the testimony of God, ri determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Ohrist and Him crucified. To the Same effect, he speaks, in his second letter, to the same church—“for we preach not ourselves,” not our own opinions, nor for our own advantage, “out Christ Jesus, the Lord, and ourselves, your servants, for Jesus’ sak @ have this treasure in eartl vessels, the exceliency of the power may be of Goa Not of ua.” S80, then, let us iundersand that the kingdém of God or the Church visible on the earth has a,life distinct and anda power exceptional, on foundations auterent om thone of other institutions. The king- den rogress wer, While, indeed, tt has oftem Been burt and hindered and corrupted by an une welcome alliance with arms, still, it is this divine kingdom outlasts, outtops and is ever eclipsing other kingdoms and subduing them to THE SCEPTRE OF A SUPREME AUTHORITY. Tt ts grateful to think that, despite all cone flicts and controversies into which the Church has been drawn, it is constantly eme! the aun pee ee verse clouds. It a nignant light than apy pre~ ceding century of our era has if r4 tt wil on conquering an it stands “not in word, but in power.’7 In conctusion, Dr. Porter recited some interest- orative service was beld at the church in the even- ing. Rev. Dr& Ganse and Ten Eyck were an~ nounced to speak. The anniversary will be con- tinued this (Monday) evening, when. Dr. Talmage and otvers will address the meeting, OHUROH OF THE INCARNATION, The Progress of the New Church Move= ment—Confirmation by Bishop Cume- mins. Yesterday forenoon about 450 persons assembled for worship in a small ‘rame building on the wess wide of Cumberland street, between Lafayette and De Kalb avenues, The structure is known as the Reformed Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, and was opened in the early part’/ofthe present year by & few dissenting members of the Protes~ tant Episcopal Church who saw fit to follow the teachings of Bishop Cummins im rejecting the following doctrinest:—First, that the Church of Christ exists only in order or form of ecclesiasti- cal polity; second, that Christian ministers are “priests? in another sense than that ip which ail believers are a ‘royal priest hood; third, that the Lord’s tableis an altar op which the oblation of the body and biovd of Ohrist 1s offered anew to the Father; fourth, wnat “the presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper is @ presence in the elements of bread and wine, and that regeneration is inseparably connected withy baptism.” The rector of the congregation is Rev. W. H. Reid and ex-Lieutenant Governor Steward L. Woodford 1s senior warden; Thomas H. Stevens junior warden; and James L. Morgan, John Hy Edwards, Herbert B. Turner and Charles H. Bwam vestrymen, The announcement made that the right of confirmation would be administered at this church by Bishop Cummins naturally had the effect of attracting a larger congregation than usual yesterday. After the rector had read the lessons and litany a8 prescribed in the Book of: Common Prayer, he announced irom the readingy desk the names of about twenty men and women, chiefly from the Episcopal and Presbyterian de- nominatioms, The new members, two-thirds of whom were females, rose up in thein places. Bev. Mr. Reid then extended to them che fellowship ofthe Church, assuring then of the blessings which would attend their action: in thus declaring their principles, “At the same time the Ohurch expects irom you,’? he said, “your prayers, your energy, influence and 7 port to ouild it up ae far as Tays in your power.’ He assured them tbat the Christian life was nos. one of ease, but of constant, earnest action, and they should labor accordingly for !ove and glory, that they might reap the joys of overiasting Mt He then called upon the candidates for con! i tion, who by profession of faith had attained to the rite thereof, to present themselves at the chancel. Eight ladies, middle aged and young, divested themselves of their bats and took pogi- tion as directed at the chancel railing. Bishop Cumming then came forward and said in sub- stance that, if there was one point in the reforma-- tion of the Protestant Episcopal Church which, im bis opinion, was more essential for trath an® purity of religion, it was to be found tn THE RITB OF CONFIRMATION, Is was wrong to bring children of twelve or thirteen years of age, who could nob’ comprehend the tmportance of the nature ot the act, to receive confirmation. at @ period when they did not understand the so- lemnity of consecrating their faith and labors. therein to God, but simply went through a matter of form, because it had been the erroneous prac- tice of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Eng-- land since its foundation, We protest against the doctrine that there is no regeneration except by: water, and assert that regeneration is found only in the Holy Spirit. You come here to receive the rite of confirmation in the faith which you com- prehend and to which you will adhere. You come to acknowledge your Divine Lord and Master be- cause you have been converted, and you desire to- testi to splendor and glory. » Right monti ago, the Bishop said, He appeared first amoung them and preached when the: Lumber of persons present was not more numer- ous than were the candidates for confirmation to- day. Now he found that the little church which had been then established was built upon a rock, ‘and though they worshipped in & bumble building, did not Christianity in & much bumbler building than this? The spirit of the men and ‘women who were present to-day told him that the: Church would grow and increase rapidly. The first fraite of the flock so short a time since assem- bled and organized were to be received into the congregation to-day. He charged the candidates. at the Chancel as to what was expected of them, ‘They were to go out and work for Christ; to find those who are less happy than they are, and bring them to the Saviour. After the ceremony the Bishop satd that hehad: but just returned from a visit toCanada, where he’ found the Reiormed Episcopal Church taking root, with wondertul rapidity. In British Columbia am entire congregation, including the Dean of the; Church of England, had joined Reformed Church. There are seven Reformed churches im. Canada Lag rear ad and had they the meang he felt sure that by the end of January, 1875, thi could have filty churches in the Dominion. The work in SO a ‘Was grounded on a sure foosinge) and he thanked God that He had permitted him hive to see it, ST. JOSEPH’S ROMAN CATHOLIC. CHURCH. Dedication of a New German Catholic Church in Hoboken—Sermon by Bishop: Cerrigan. The new church of St. Joseph, which has been im: course of erection for some time past in Monroe: street, between First and Newark, was formally dedicated to the service of God yesterday by the Most Rev. M. A. Corrigan, Bishop of Newark. As. the edifice was intended chiefly for the use of the German Catholic residents of Hoboken, it was crowded yesterday by persuns of that na- tionality, although there were many non-Germans- in attendance, The usual impressive dedicatory cerémonies were performed. Many priests, robedi in surplices and soutanes, joined the procession. and assisted at the foot of the altar in chantung the appropriate prayers, A solemn high mass was: celeprated, Rev. Father Betton, of St, Mary’s, officiating as master of ceremonies, and the pas- tor, Rev. Father Alphonsus, a8 assistant at the bisbop’s throne, The musical arrangements were admirable, the splendid choir filling every portion of the structure with a rich melodious atmosphere. ot harmony, such as only the German trame can senda forth. The scene was an imposing one, as the sacred service went on. The sitar was hand- somely decorated with wax lights interspersed: with flowers. BISHOP OORRIGAN’S SERMON, After the ‘Ita missa est’? Bishop Corrigan as. cended the sitar and sald that before he should. close by giving the espiscopal benediction to the congregation, he thonght he should address a few words to them, regretting, however, that be could not hold forth in their mother tongue. He chose for his text the words of the royal Psalmist :—‘‘Lord, 1 have loved the beauty of Thy house and the pla @ where Thy glory dwelleth.” These words, @ said, had been uttered by David when he was. in exile, whither he had been driven by the enmity of saul. In them could be seen the venera- tion which David entertained for the temple of Jerusalem, which at that time was the only one wherem worship conld be eat to the true God. If David had such profound reverence tor that. temple, how much more shouid not Christians of our REVERE THR TEMPLES in which God really and substantially dwelt, and | in which men could receive the great graces con- ferred in the sacraments. In the first place the sacrament of baptism was tuere administered, whereby the children of this world were made the children of God and heirs of His kingdom. If men ould deem it honorable to be heira of Kings and jperors, Why should they not esteem it 6 vastly eater honor to be made heirs of God’s kingdom yy the waters of baptism. Again, when men fell from grace they could have recourse to God's ministers within that temple and regain the divine friendship by means of the sacrament of nance. There, too, the God of the Kucharist welt continually upon the altar, and was the food of sinners, Why should they not have frequent recourse thereto; why not make it a house of prayer worthy Of its object, and why not contribute according to their means in order that by liquidating the debi they might make it, indeed, the house of God, to Gar’ human creature could lay the smalies!