The New York Herald Newspaper, November 17, 1878, Page 13

} | Inthe Free Baptist Church this morning, the Rev. FLIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE, he Methodist Itinerant Conven- tion in Brooklyn. HAT BY THE WAY. rogranne of Services To-Day---Syna- +. gogue Worship. & net J. W. Bonham will preach in the Lyceum is morning on “The Drunken Monarch,” in thelevening on ‘The Sudden Conversion of ul of Tarsus,” Dr. J. M, King will preach this morning and Dr, J. E. King this evening in Washington Square Methodist Episcopal Church. This m@rning the Rev. Carlos Martyn will preach In the irty-fourth Street Reformed Church, and this evenihg s memorial service for the late Bev. Isaac Riley, former pastor of the church, will be held, st which Drs. Schoff, Hutton, Chambers and others The an Sifting Christ’s Followers” and ‘Daniel Fierce Enemies” will be considered to-day by . F. Richmond, in Asbury Methodist Episcopal ev. 8. J. Knapp will preach in Stanton Street Bap- tis! Church this morning and evening, and on Tues- evening Rev. Matthew Hale Smith will preach. Dr. Talmage will continue his review of his mid- aight visits to the slums of New York with police officials, “Sin, Righteousness and Judgment” will be pre- sented this morning to Murray Hill Presbyterian Chiurch by Rey. George 8. Chambers. In the evening “Christian Facts and Christian Testimony” will be. given. The Murphy overflow temperance meeting will be held in Cooper Institute this afternoon and be ad- fressed by Rev. W. B. Affleck and Mrs. Somerby, M. D., of Syracuse, N. ¥. Rey. Edmund Guilbegt will minister to the Church of the Holy Spirit to-day at the usual hours. “The Bitter” will be “Sweetened” this morning in the Free Tabernacle Methodist Episcopal Church by Rey, W. N. Searles, who, in the evening, will consider “How Much Attention Shall We Give the Soul?” In Chickering Hall this afternoon the Rev. Samuel Colcord will discuss ‘‘Man’s Accountability to God.’ In Bleecker Street Universalist Church this morn- Ing ithe Rev. E. C. Sweetser will preach on “Christian Communion,” and in the evening on “How to Read the Bible. The Rev. J. Q. Adams will preach in the Berean Baptist Church this afternoon on “The Ritualistic Ditsciple,” and also in the morning and evening. ‘The Rey. Alexander McKelvey will preach in Canal reet Presbyterian Church this afternoon on “Influ- ces ;”” also in the morning. Dr. Deems will minister to the Church of the “ Btrangers at the usual hours to-day. Dr, J. F. Elder will preach in the Central Baptist Church this morning, and Dr. J. D. Herr in the even- ing. “Citizenship in Heaven” will be urged by Rev. J. D. Wilson to-day in the Central Presbyterian Church. The Rey. Dr, Shipman will officiate and preach in Christ Church to-day as usual. “Man and the Heavens” and “Heaven and Hell; or Retribution and Reward,” will be considered in the Church of the Messiah to-day bysRev. 8. R. Colthrop, of Syracuse, N. Y. “The Satanic Estimate of Human Nature” will be made by Rev. J, M. Pullman this morning in the {Church of Our Saviour. In the evening a discussion if “Sin and Punishment” will be held by Mr. an. “The Bright Side of New York,” in contradistinc- ion to Dr, Talmage’s dark side, will be opened up his evening by Dr. J. P. Newman, in the Central lethodist Episcopal Church. In the Church of the Disciples of Christ the Rev. . R. Van Buskirk will preach at the usual hours to- ‘day. Dr. C. H. Fowler preaches in St. Luke’s Methodist Episcopal Church this morning, and in the evening will talk about ‘The Millennium” and the late Con- | ference. “The Lord's Prayer” and ‘Christ's Second Com- ing” will occupy the thoughts of Rev. W. F. Hatfield } at the Eighteenth Street Methodist Episcopal Church | to-day. N. L. Rowell will prove that we are “Saved by Blood.” In the evening the Rev. W. H. Simpson, M. D., of Texas, will preach. The Rev. W. T. Sabine will preach in the First Re- formed Episcopal Church this morning and Mr. George C. Needham, of Philadelphia, this evening. Dr. Sheldon preaches this morning and Dr. Armi- tage this evening in the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church. “Solomon and Science” is the topic that Rev. C. D. Babcock, of Philadelphia, will discuss to-morrow evening in the chapel in West Fifty-fourth street. A Gospel temperance meeting will be held in the Mission Hall, West Thirtieth street, this evening, led by Mr. Thomas Maslin. Mrs, J. Tilly and Mr. 8. c. Haight will deliver addresses. “The Poor and Our Duty Toward Them” will be presented to the Church of the Disciples this morning by Rev. George H. Hepworth. In the evening Philip Phillips will give a Bible reading and praise service. “Murphy Revivals and Revivalists” will be phre- nologically considered this evening, in Science Hall, | by Mr. Graham. Mrs, Van Cott, the revivalist, is to open her cam- | paign against the sinners in Eleventh Street Metho- \dist Episcopal Church on Wednesday evening. ( Rey, E. A. Reed preaches this morning and evening fst the usual hours in Madison Avenue Reformed ichurch. | “The Solitary Sorrows of Jesus” and “The Philoso- ‘phy and Purpose of Dreams” will be considered by Rev. William Lloyd, in Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, to-lay. \ Dr. Bridgman will minister to Madison Avenue Bap- ist Church this morning and evening. shyt the Pilgrim Baptist Church the Rev. F. M. Van yke will preach morning and evening to-day. ! / Mr. C. W. Sawyer will conduct s Gospel temperance Bheeting in the Park Theatre this evening. | “The Nature and Power of Prayer” will be explained | Ny Rev. W. P. Corbit to Fiftieth Street Methodist | Ejpiscopal Church this morning, and “The Eternity of Future Punishment” will be proved in the evening. , Rev. Dr. M, Hutton will preach this morning in Sixth Avenue Reformed Church and Rev. W. B. Mer- /ritt in the evening. Dr. 8. H. Tyng, Sr., will address young people in | the cn reh of the Holy Trinity this afternoon on “The Mountains of Israel.” Dr. H. W. Knapp will preach this morning and, svening in Laight Street Baptist Church. “God in His Church” and “Dgstitution” are the topics to be considered by Rev. B, H. Burch to-day in Twenty-fourth Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Dr. Kt, Nelson will preach thi« morning and Dr. A, 8. Hunt this evening in St. James’ Methodist Epiaco- pal Church, Harlem. ‘The Rey, Dr. Remington and Judge Gedney will ad- dross the tamperance gathering in Olerendon Hall this afternoon. The Rey. R. B, Hull will tell the Tabernacle Baptist Church something about “The Christian Race” this | morning and about “Absalom, the Fast Young Men,” this evening. In the Thirtieth Street Methodist Episcopal Church Rey. A. P. Lyon will preach this morning and Rev, J. M. King. D., this evening. Rey. Samnel Colcord isto inaugurate a serios of tvangelistic services this morning in the Spring Street Presbyterian Church. The Rey. A. H. Moment will preach in the morning and Mr. Colcord in the even, ing, and services will be held every evening in the week except the last. Dr, B. H. Chapin will preach this morning and even- sng in the Chureh of the Divine Paternity, The Rey. J. H. Hartzell will preach in the Church of | the Good Shepherd, Jérsey City Heights, this morn- ing on “The Coming of the Morning, ing will lecture on “Snow,” i The Rey, G, H. Mandeville will address the York- u | surprised at it, because in England no man ever goes NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1878—QUADRUPLE SHEET—WITH SUPPLEMENT. ville Young Men's Christian Association this after- | noon. “Reverence for the Aged” will be enforced by Rev. D. B. Jutten in Sixteenth Street Baptist Church this | morning, and “Earnestness # Condition of Success in Seeking Christ” will be encouraged in the evening. | “A Call for Laborers” will be made this morning | in Macdougal Street Baptist Church by Rev. J. J. | Muir. “The Empty Tomb’ will be opened and its lessons extracted in the evening. ‘The Rev. George H. Hepworth will address Jerry McAuley’s Water Street Mission this afternoon. Mr. Florentine will organize » free singing class in Mr. Hepworth’s church on Thursday evening. CHAT BY THE WAY. « Laziness travels so slow that even poverty can easily catch and keep pace with it. It is easy to teach virtue by theory and difficult to teach it by example. Happiness closely resembles s very popular disease—one bright day with a day of chill and fever on either side. : You can get on witha man of hasty temper by keeping out of his way when he is ruffled. His mania may be dangerous, but it is spasmodic, and in the intervals of lucidity he may be kind and friendly. But sullen»man had better be let alone. He was taken ill when he was born and he won’t get over it till he dies, g Some of the so-called pleasures of life: are like a piper who plays badly. You give him a dime to be- gin and you would gladly give him a quarter to stop, but he won’t do it. If a man is too fiuent with his promises to pay, you may as well put down the loan to profit and loss. He spends so much time in talking about his debt that he has none left to earn the money to pay it. Men generally get what they give. Love me and I'll love you, is a good old rule; but it is no more true than its converse—Claw me and I'll claw you. An instance of the ruling passion strong in death is afforded by a man who used to bet at every opportu- nity. The doctor came and told him he could not live two hours, The poor fellow thought a moment, end then brightening up said, “Doctor, I'l bet you a bottle of champagne that I'll live three hours;"’ and summoning his strength he just won the bet by five minutes, and then died. Some emotional people think they have religion, and are ready and willing and anxious to dic when in reality they don’t even know how to live well, When- ever we see one of these daft folk, who have a bad habit of rolling their eyes toward the ceiling and say- ing that they wish the Lord would come right away and take them, we begin to have our doubts, It may be our carnal mindedness which induces this state of incredulity; it may be that we do not appreciafé the situation or the individual, but still we have our doubts. We always recall the words of the poet who wrote “Little Billee:”"— Oh, Billy, we're going to kill and eat you, So undo the button of your chemie. When Bill received this information He ftsed his pocket handkerchie; and we more than half suspect that when a man says he is just good enough to die and is anxious to flee like a bird from this wicked world he really thinks he is just good enough to live a long while yet and hopes to do it. People onght to be careful how they ask questions. A gentleman who suffered terribly from the heat died. His minister was not aware of the catastrophe, and, meeting the daughter of his former friend on an August day and thinking to have a little banter, said:—“Well, my dear, I hope your mother is well, and your father—by the way, how does he stand the heat nowadays?’ She was compelled to confess the truth, that he was dead, and then the question seemed to the clergyman to be a singularly inap- propriate one. 3 ‘A good Scotch answer is generally worth remember- ing. A little company of Englishmen who went for a hunt to the northern moors said to the guide, John, “Are there ahy pheasants here?” “They are just in thousands,” he replied. “Any partridges, John ?” “They are just in thousands,” he again replied. “Well, John, are there any gorillas?" “No, there is not many g@rillas here. They comes and goes in twos and threes—just like yoursels.” William Black adds, “And it was a ferry good snswer to the young man.” Somebody who signs himself “Indignant” takes ex- ception to our statement that “there is hardly a church in Europe that has carpets on the floor or any other seats than rough pine benches or coarse straw-bottomed chairs,” and would like to know “what part of Europe was visited,” since he hit “never walked on @ bare floor.” We P ito give the necessary information. If he m ed on a bare floor in a European church or cathedral, he never visited the Madeleine or Notre Dame in Paris; never, went into the Cathedral of Cologne, where the accommodation is simply execra. ble; nor into that of Strasbourg; nor into the Daomo at Florence; nor into St. Mark’s in Venice. In England he never visited the cathedrals of Chester or Durham, or went into St. Paul's or Westminster, not one of which is carpeted, and not one of which has any other than what an American would call very riide sccommodation. Perhaps “Indignant” will, in turn, give us a few illustrations of well upholstered cathedrals in Europe. The truth remains that no country in the world is so careful to make its religion like a sugar-coated pill, or pays greater attention to the means of an easy Sunday morning nap, than America. ‘The manner in which chickens will most persist- ently come home to roost is very inatructive at times. It is also @ curious fact that the little instrument known as the boomerang is so ingeniously contrived that when it is thrown at an enemy it not only hits him a hard blow, just as we expected, but is very apt to fly back and hit the thrower a blow, which is not expected. England is pondering on these two facta, and Disraeli is growing more grim than ever as he re- calls them, Russia has not, it seems, kept her part of the Berlin Treaty. As » member of the Greek Church, in good standing, she ought to be ashamed of this, However, she is not so very unlike the rest of the world that any of us need pick up the first stone to throw at her. England suggests that the Powers of Europe combine and com- pel Russia to do her duty, which, in con- sideration of the general European rumpus that would ensue, the Powers rather hesitate to do. But, like a bit of magic, Gortechakoff, all clothed in Russian sable, rises in his place and tells England that he himself asked the Congress of Berlin to demand guarantees of faithful fulfilment, but that Disraeli, for fear they would injure his precious peta, the Turks, scowled upon and defeated him. Now, however, when it is not Turkey but Russia that is at fault, Disraeli is having an attack of hysteria, and wants all Europe to combine and just wipe Russia off the map | of the Continent. In determining to make every- | thing easy for Turkey, right or wrong, he unwit tingly made everything easy for Russia, So the little chickens homeward fly, and so the boomerang returns to the hand that flung it, with a right hand rap on the knuckles, Woman is, of course, the cause of all the trouble in the world, This is a fact which every man in the world and no woman in the world will admit. A sur- geon in the United States army discovered that nine- tenths of the men in his regiment enlisted in conse- quence of some female difficulty. It waa not patriot- ism; it was the all-pervading fact of domestic trouble that won our battles, The army was made up of re- jected lovers and unhappy husbands, The English Papers commented on this statement and were duly into the army except from a pure and irrepressible de- sire’to die for his country. But Mr. Thackeray quietly hinted (alas! he couldn't rest in Westminster Abbey, but had to put up with a common grave in @ common cemetery, because he was always hinting at some- thing) that woman's sway is the same among our kin beyond the sen as it is here, He said, or sang— ‘Thus always it was ruled: And when # woman smiled ‘The strong man was s child, ‘The sage a noodle, Aleides was befoolo And silly Samson shorn, Jang, long ore you were born, Foor Yankee Doodle, ‘There are very few men in the world to whom you | I can give carte blanche, A tramp—i.¢., a gentleman of | leisnre, who labors under the delusion that the world owes him aliving and who spends his time in collecting the debt—went into a grocer’s the other day and said, in a broken voice, @ voice so full of wretchedness that it would make his fortune asa tragedian, “I'd like you to help me @ little, if you please,” The grocer was ® man who had no bow | qovements that have taken place within a year or els of compassion, and gruffly replied, “Help { yourself.” Any but @ philosopher would have regarded this as an invitation to move on to greener fields and pastures new. Not so our prodigious tramp, however. He only said, “Thank you, sir,” and literally helped himself to nearly everything that was within reach. The grocer had to confess that he didn’t mean what he said, after which hasty explana tion he assisted the tramp to find his way into the street. Mr. Talmage has certainly succeeded in his desire to get agreat deal of advertising “free, gratis, for noth- ing,” as he elegantly expresses it, He strikes us, how- exer, as being more fluid than fluent of tongue. Elo- cution is not eloquence and talk is cheap. People com- plain that he only talks about reform, but doesn’t re- form, and the poet indignantly Give us no vagrant flights of oratory, No bugling and no. Dewitticianis; but it should be remembered that to preach and prac- tise both is almost too much to ask of any one man. ‘The sermons which are being delivered in the Taber- nacle must be very exhausting. We are always re- minded, when we read an extract from them, of the story that is told of Sam Johnson. A lady who badly sang an aria saitt to the Doctor, “That is a very diffi- cult piece, sir.” The gruff old philosopher grunted, “I wish, madam, that it had been not simply difficult, but impossible.” We sometimes wish the same thing concegning Mr. ‘Talmage. It is a pity that a man should strain himself so much and to go little purpose. METHODIST ITINERACY. CONVENTION OF METHODISTS IN BROOKLYN TO- MORROW—WHY METHODISM DECLINES IN CITIES—THE LOVE OF MONEY THE ROOT OF THE TROUBLE. Aconvention is to meet in Washington Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Brooklyn, to-morrow evening to consider the relation of the present limita- tion of the pastoral term to the condition of Method- ism in that city, and to take such action with regard to memorializing the next General Conference as may be deemed best for the interests of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The call for this convention origi- nated in the Quarterly Conference of the Washington Street Church, which sent out formal notices asking the co-operation of all other Quarterly Confer- ences in the city. The responses were sufficiently large to justify the gathering of gepresentatives. Each church has chdfn five lay delegates. The pastors of the several churches will probably be present also as exofficio dele- gates. The itineracy has become the great burden of Methodism within the last fifteen years. Previous to that rarely was a word heard against it. But now the efforts of pastors chiefly are directed toward the congregationalizing of the entire Methodist Episcopat Church. They don’t say so, to be sure. Their de- clared purpose is to advance the interests of Meth- odism in cities. The itinerancy is good enough as it is for the country, but not for the city. The public cannot now associate the tiame of any Methodist minister with the Church which he serves as the Presbyterians, Baptists and Congregationalists aro associated. Dr. Hall’s church, Dr. Talmage’s, Dr. William M. Taylor's, Dr. Thomas D. Anderson's or Dr. Armitage's churches are better known by the names of those worthy pastors than by any other name or sign. Few, if any, persons spesk of Dr. Tiffany’s or Dr. Davis’ or Dr. King’s Methodist churches, because the people scarcely have time to recognize them as pastors when the itinerant wagon is driven up and they are carried off to another fi of labor. The MU grass and some oI the churches think this triennial change hin- ders the growth of Methodism as well as interferes with their own personal and social comfort. The severance of the pastoral relation comes often, they say, at critical times in the history of the churches, the fruite of faithful labors being thus lost to the de- nomination. But why should a church properly in- structed in the things of God fall to pieces when the teacher is removed? Benevolent and social and com- mercial societies change their heads annuslly without any such dread of disintegration and with no such experience. Pastors leave churches also of their own free will, regardless of any such consequcuces, And indeed there is less danger from this cause in the Methodist er Church than in any other, for no individual church need be pastorless one week under the polity and government of Methodism. But it is said further that the disaffection is growing and that it will in time become a fruit urce of loss to the churches, both in its minister d lay membership, and hence the necessity of a ipt consideration of all the issues involved. WHENCE THE CLAMOR FOR CHANGE. Now, two or three ee ae be said on this sub- ject. First, the cry for enlargement or removal of ral limitation comes almost exclusively from high-priced churches and ried ministers. The man ee $250 or $500 a year is satistied with the present order. He can change at the end of » year, as indeed all Methodist ministers can, for the appointments are made from year to year, and only for a year at a time, and there is a prospect before him that he may get an $800 or $1,000 appointment from the ensuing Conference. But the man who re- ceives from $2,000 to $4,000 a year and a furnished house does not want to take his chances of getting $1,000 or $2,000 less at the end of three years, as he must now. The itineracy was designed to give the whole Church a share of the best as well an of the poorest ministerial talent. The money value of preaching in former days took a sec- ondary in the economy of Methodism. Now it stands first and foremost; so that the minister's first question to a church committee who seek his services is about the salary. And where the highest salary is offered there the call is loudest. priced ministers are transferred year after year to dif- ferent conferences, wherever the largest pay and the least service can be combined. In a former article in the HERALD it was shown that some ministers spend almost their ministerial lifetime in one city or alter- nating between two cities, and often between two churches. That the itineracy has many excellent points when considered as & system for pioneer work, or that it is well adapted to sup- ply ‘the needs of weak and es] of rural churches, must be conceded. But the advo- cates of change are satisfied that it is not applicable to large cities. The Methodist voices in the opinion of this class, and says the term ought either to be very considerably lengthened—and it presumes that is all the Brooklyn Convention proposes—or the ‘torate ought to be adopted. It does not, however, expect a very rapid growth of the move- ment nor a very unanimous acceptance of the change proposed, but it nevertheless thinks the change is ne 4 METHODISM DECLINES AND DOFSN’T. Another thing that may be said on this point fs that, whenever the Hxnaxp or the Independent or any other paper ioe, anything concerning the de- cline of Methodism in cities, Church, press and many of ita preachers feel bound to contradict the statements, Last spring, when the Hxratp pub- lished something of this character, s minister in this city and another in Brooklyn and many more throughout the land felt a special mission thrust upon them to reply; and yet a year ago, at the Metho- dist reunion in Brooklyn, the editor of the Christian Advocate presented facts and figures to prove that Methodism was advancing in the cities instead of de- clining; and Chaplain M » in his before the New York and New Jersey and other conferences, made his most effective points in contradiction of the HeEnawp's statements. Dr. John Atkinson, of Chicago, has written column upon column of contradictions of the same or similar statements. But now comes a convention in one of the largest cities in the Union, declaring beforchand, as no doubt they will declare to-morrow, that Methodism is a failure in cities, and that the only hope of saving it from wreck and ruin is to congregationalize what is left of it. If the disease exists, and as we have shown the doctors differ on that point, the remedy pro} is not the best. There is a more excellent way, but it is a way that will not be adopted by very many high re preachers. That the money valuc of sermons is the basis of the failure of Methodiam in cities, if failure exists, is very evident from certain ministerial two. The Revs, T. Slicer, R. R. Meredith, J. L. Holl, E. Tinker, W. Lawrence and others from this city and vicinity, and many more from the cities of the land, have left the Methodist Episcopal Church and joined Calvinistic organizations. A few of them have given the Methodist authorities their reason for changing the itineracy, while to the minations into which they entered they assign change of doctrinal views. Both may have been correct, but it was at least a remarkable coincidence that in the major- ity of cases reported the change of doctrinal views came about the time that the change of pastoral rela- tion which brought smaller salaries came, There may have been no connection in the minds of those good men between the loaves and fishes and the Master's service in one church or another. But the changes involved are certainly among the strange coincidences of ecclesiastical lite. HOW BROOKLYN METHODISM SUFFERS. The Rey. Joseph Horner, of bisgredg! haa pub- lished a couple of articles to prove that Methodiem is not adapted to foreign populations, and that there fore it does not xteceed in cities where foreigners most do congregate. He would deduct all foreigners from his popular —atatietics, and, counting on every American, would demonstrate beyond. question” the success of | Methodism in’ cities, He also attributes the — alleged or actual failure to laziness of ministers and churches. | In a very sarcastic vein he utters a lament that Method- iam ix to conquer no more, It has already ceased to conquer, It is vanquished in the etties—utterly 8, effete, inane. Its fate is sadder than the aoleful and lamentable exit of poor “Cock Robin,” It was killed * the sparrow, with its bow and arrow.” But this great body is dying of its own incompetent tness, Ite lovers must wail more bitterly than they of old over ‘the beautiful Adonis, de: “slain by the tusk, the white tusk of Our beautiful and symmetrical Methodism upon | he will resign as pastor in January next. some facts relating to the condition of the Episcopal Church in American cities, and then gives some of these facts. For instance, there are about forty Methodist Episcopal churches in that city; three of them are strong, perhaps seven more are in fair conditions of pe with manageable debts. The other thirty are struggling with difficul- ties of @ somewhat serious character, and a few of them are in a precarious condition, Stating the case in general terms, Brooklyn Methodism will look pretty well in a table of statistics, and, measured by | eneral standards, it is not a subject for grave appre- ensions. But if ou measure it by the plans of tx best ministers and laymen—if you take account of the liberality of the latter and the devotedness of the former—a careful observer would be compelled to regret that, for some reason, the odism of that city has not attained the success it deserves. The fact which has most significance in an explanation of the difference between plans and re- sults is that there are probably not less than one thousand Methodist families in Brooklyn who are now connected with other than Methodist churches, These families probably contain 3,000 church mem- bers, and that is not an exaggeration of the loss which Brooklyn Methodism has sustained. And one of our city exchanges very pertinently asks how long Method- fam can yo on giving off such colonics and yet main- tain itself at all? But the Methodist’s regret is not 80 much that the Church has lost 3,000 members as that it has lost more than the equivalent of financial and social stre1 . It could easily spare 3,000 of its poor members who have little or no money to give, but can ill afford to lose men with long purses and well filled. If the Methodist doctors who are diagnosing for the disease of Methodism and the convention which is to meet to-morrow would give a little atten- tion to this feature of the case they might get more light on their subject. No Church is or can be suc- cessful that practically ignores the poor aud meas- ures a man’s piety and standing in the Church by the size of his contributions. But our contemporary adds that if Eps converse with these ex-Methodists you will find that ninety-eight per cent of them give but one reason for changing their church relations. That reason is the changeableness and uncertainty of the pastorate. ‘We may add that some who remain in our communion, and usually attending our services, have been known to take pews in other churches in order to establish connections with a permanent pastor. It does not now matter whether their feeling is right; it is the fact that is important, "They have a feeling that a family pastor and a family physician are about equally necessary to them. But why should either necessary? Why should a healthy Christian church have a family pastor or a healthy household a family physteian? Methodist pastors taught their people to think more of Christ and less of Paul or Apollos or Cephas, a change of pastors once in three years would not effect such ruin as it is claimed it does.” THE *ENTIMENTALISM OF ITINERACY. So far as Methodist doctrine and usages are con- cerned the dissatisfied who have gone and the un- easy who remain are as loyal ax any Methodists any- where—with the single exception that they noncon- cur in the maintenance of the custom of changing pastors at fixed and near periods. One of them re- cently said sharply to the Methodist editor:—“If you were really Methodists, as willing as the fathers to be taught by Providence, you would have dropped the limitation when you dropped the circuit system.” Another man, when told that he ought to have stayed in and fought for “reform,” replied:—'I did think to do that; but one day a minister told me that ifIdid not like the Church I should leave it, and thinking he might be right I left.” Another man who was expostulated with for leaving the Church said, ‘I have waited a long time— some twenty years—and my family are tired of wait- ing for this change, Ido not believe that Methodism consists in changing pastors every three years, but the vast majority of the Church do, and how can two walk together except they be agreed? The for change is not kept down by management. It is recognized everywhere as @ proper subject for loyal Methodists to discuss. If individuals repress dis- cussion with a charge of treason the Church does not do that, and her leading ministers do not. But those who come to feel the need of change rather keenly have in this case, as a rule, quietly gone out of the Church. As soon as this matter assumes personal importance to any one—minister or layman—he usually ceases to advocate change.” Another thing that shows that ‘‘the root of all evil’’ is at the basis of the agitation is that editors, agents, secretaries and college professors who are not affected. by pastoral limitations yive their pulpit services during vacations more readily to other denominations than to their own. The Churgh is a good deal to blame for taking out of the pulpit some of its best preachers, and once out the men are ieft to. preach where and as they can find opportunity. And this is a part of the uneasiness of city Methodism. But the fact is that churches cannot afford to pay the big salaries that such men demand. There are more high-priced preachers _ thi wealthy churches, and the latter can always command the talent has! want from evi of the country. A few weeks ago one of the leading pastors of Brooklyn resigned his pulpit on account of ill health, and immediately the church, which is one of the wealthiest in the Conference, gota man from Ealtimore. Now, nobody, and certainly no Methodist, supposes that if that church was a 3400 charge instead of 8 $4,000 one it could call its pastor from Baltimore. But'“‘pone; es the mare go” in the Methodist Episcopal Church as well as out of it, and bishops and pastors are only too susceptible to the golden influences. While nominally the bish- have the snpointing ywer over all preachers, re- they havo it over only the poorest preachers and pits, except, however, a8 in some instances when an al preach is conscientious enough to hold to the old sof Methodism and does not bar- gain beforehand for place and salary with church comunittees. The knows eo eae who have brought fictitious ‘‘calls” \- aries to bear upon churches so as to secure higher than the latter could afford and their retention To? three yourn whem the church did not want them more than one year. The trouble with the itinerant system is not in the pastoral term so much as in the partiality and inequality with which it is adminis- tered. And until appointments are left wholly and as of old with the bishops or are taken in hand by all the churches, rich and poor, without regard to Episcopal oversight or approval, dissatisfaction must ensue. What is sauce for the goose ought to be sauce for the gander. What is good for a rich church reese to be for # poor one, and es) lly since in the sight of God piety and not pounds counts, It is to be hoped the Convention will not be afraid to con- sider the subject in all its bearings and give a deliver- ance that shall be clear and unmistakable on the great question. CLOSE OF THE PRAYER WEEK. The week of prayer for young men closed last evening, but the results cannot be counted up so soon, if, indeed, they ever canbe. Meetings have been held in the Presbyterian Church in Lexington avenue and Eighty-sixth street, and in the Young Men’s Christian Association rooms on Fourth avenue and Twenty- third street. In the former the Revs. Dr. Bevan, J. Hyatt Smith, the Rev. F. Courtney and other emineny ministers of this city and Brooklyn preached nightly. In the latter committees of the association took charge of the services, which were the ordinary prayer meetings simply directed toward the topics suggested by the international committee. The sub- ject considered and prayed about yes , the clos! day, was, “Christ the Pattern for Young Men.” In ‘Brooklyn special services were held dur- ing each afternoon of the week, but with little or no regard to the week of prayer for young men or to the topics ee ape -in their behalf to be con- Stiegl ee ceecaie eerie ip) gave readings to cong ions com more largely of tate than of youny men. in the regular prayer meetings ie evening prayers and exhortations had reference to the tem ions and dangers and powers of young men. In New York and New Lots, L. L, subu of Brooklyn, the Protestant churches and the young men of thoso towns united in services observing the week of prayer. | The Rev. Charles Coleman, int, Rev. T. M. Terry, | Methodist; Rev. M. Pierce, Ret d; Mr. 8. Gifford Nelson and others have addressed the meetings dur- ing the week. The services have been held in the Baptist Church in East New York and have been well | attended. The observance of the week of prayer has led many churches in this city and Brooklyn to start extra meetings for ives, and these will be in- creased this week in both cities. The Misses Smith, ~~ ~~ ite from ten ll R. a a Grace Church, Brooklyn, fat week, snd this week Sire, Van Gott, snother moved e list, ins in this city. An almost limitless num! le evangelists are here or on the way, | so that if the young men of those cities are not | crowded between Dr. Talmage on one side and the | evangelists on the other into the Church it will be very strange. | or reform, are either 1 DR. ANDERSON'S RESIGNATION. | Rev. Thomas D, Anderson. D. D., pastor of the First | Baptist Church, corner of Thirty-ninth street and | Park avenue, thid city, has notified his church that | Dr. Ander- #on came to New York in January, 1862, from Boston, Mass, where he had been settled twelve years, and having thus had the care of a large church for nearly thirty years, with no respite from his labors other than a vacation of six months granted him by his . church some six years since, he feels the necessity of a change, and consequently resigns his position. During his present pastorate the church sold their meeting house in Broome street, corner | of Elizabeth, and purchased the land and erected the | handsome brown stone edifice now occupied by them. Dr. Anderson is a member of the Board of Managers _ of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, of | which he was president for several years. He is also one of the trustees of the American Tract Society and president of Rutgers Female College. He waa | one of the Executive Committee of the Evangelical | Alliance which held its session in this city in | the fall of 187% Unlike mahy clergymen, Dr. Anderson possesses a fine physique. He in tall and commanding in appesrance, has a mild and pleasant expression of face, and his presence, | whether in of out of the pulpit, is attractive and im- pressive. He ix aman of marked purity of eharac- ter and sincerity and earnestness ot curate thinker, strong and zealous in his convictions. | As a preacher and puolic speaker he probably has few | superiors. He has a powerful voice, easy, yet ener- | gotic and somewhat ornate style of delivery. He has | no difficulty in securing the attention of his hearers and | imparting to them the traths of the Gospel as he un- | ders ands and beli¢ves them, The church over which | he has preached so long and effectively is one of the old- MrpPOwe; AN RE shall be no more. Slain shall it be, itself having be- come a stupendous “bore.” Alack a-day, the ond is nigh, ‘the Methodit adds that Brooklyn Methodism sug- est churches in this city, and of the Baptist denomi- nation in this country, having been organized im 1742. Should the Doctor remove from this city New York will lose one of its ablest and most worthy and effi- cient ministers. A NEW CHURCH FOR PATERSON. The corner stone of a new church in connection with the Retreat of the Franciscan Fathers near Pat- erson, N.J., will be laid to-day by Bishop Corrigan. In the present abode of the monks there are only six Fathers, who claim that they comprise the only divi- sion of the Franciscan Order in this country. They are all Germans, aud two years ago arrived from the ancient city of Fulda. They had eréeted there a magnificent church and the largest Franciscan monastery in the world. They speak bitterly of the adoption of the proscriptive laws in Germany and the systematic persecutions of the members of the Order which followed, Ha ving been driven from their retreat and their churches closed, they emigrated to this country under their present Superior, Father Muller, and selected the site in Paterson upon which their present establish- ment stands, Their cha) soon became inadequate, and to accommodate their increasing conaiegetion it was decided a short time ago to erect an extension, 120x50, for a chapel, the corner stone of which will be laid at half-past three P. M, to-day. The new Academy of St. Dominic, erected by the congregation of St. Boniface’s Church, on First street, Jersey City, will be dedicated at ten A. M. to-day by } Right Rev. M. A. Corrigan, Bishop of Newark, A NEW PHILANTHROPY. To THe Epiror or THE HERALD:— Among the new phases of philanthropy is # charity very little known, of which many of your readers will be glad to hear, because it illustrates the true province of charity. It is a benevolence which gives without pauperizing—which gives education, status and character instead of money. I refer to the choir schools of Mr. Charles 8. Fischer, Jr. This gentle- man has a good income from a prosperous business, and in lien of sailing a yacht or driving fast horses, or the like, prefers to take a hundred children under his charge and to give them s thorough musical education. These are mostly boys of poor but respectable families, and often as wild and untutored as the majority of New York boys. But the astonishing refining influence of musical culture, when added to careful training, soon shows itself, for the lads who at their initiation might have been classed as street Arabs become orderly, courteous, reverent, and so fond of their music that many would forego a meal rather than miss a rehearsal. Of course the secret here lies in the fact that the appeal is always to their higher nature and that they are invariably treated as young gentlemen. They are never “Tom,” “Dick” end “Harry,” but “Master Thomas,” &c. Mr. Fischer provides for them a reading room, handsomely furnished and well supplied with illustrated papers; also a library with several hundred standard volumes. In the summer Mr. Fischer takes the boys with him by turns to the seaside, keeping a room at the hotel for the purpose. He not only gives a free mu: cal education, but also furnishes places with sala in the churches whose music he gratuitously superintends. If the musical appropriations are not sufficient he pays the boys’ salaries out of his own purse. All the little courtesies are considered, a#, for instance, a boy's salary is handed to him in an envelope. A strict discipline is main- tained; a boy frequenting unsuitable places of amusement loses his place. Again, when a boy’s voice fails and he is obliged to leave the choir he finds that a handsome sum been laid by for him, so that he leaves with a full purse, A boy dying while in the choir service has a monument erected to his memory. This paternal, loving government leads to an ardent attachment on the part of the boys and enables Mr. Fischer to secure a musical thorough- ness in his choirs rarely attained with boys. Indeed, a bishop, lately from England, and a celebrated pro- fessional singor who has been listening this summer to the choirs of St. Roch and of the Madelaine, both expressed the opinion that the chorus at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, where Mr. Fischer officiates as organist, was not surpassed by anything in Europe. There are, of course, much larger choirs and finer solo singers; but the smoothness, accuracy and | ‘unity of chorus effects comes not only from drill, but also from love and general harmony of ideal and am- bition. It is a part of Mr. Fischer's plan to find situa- tions in business for all his trustworthy boys, and he continues his supervision even after they bave left the choir and the city. His graduates are scattered all over the country, and many comerant regularly with him and are by his counsel and support. And thus, in the course of the years during which this work has beon going on, many hundred lads have owed their culture and their position in life, as wellas their musical education, to Mr. Fischer. It is a noble record. EN: NINETEENTH STREET SYNAGOGUE. ATTRACTIVENESS OF THR SYNAGOGUE—SERMON BY REY. HENRY P. MENDES. Rev. Henry P. Mendes is preaching a course of ser- mons in the Nineteenth Street Synagogue on the books of the Bible, and yesterday took his text from the last verse of Judges—‘In those days every man did which was right in his own eyes.” Remarking how this applied to the present day, he observed:—In my ears rise a thousand voices, each with a different cry, declaring this or that to be right; in social life, in religion, in everything, every one’s pet idea is the only true one, and because the dis- sentients will not be silenced—each one does that which is right in his own eyes. And yet it is declared, and we are ready to concede the sincerity of the 3) ern, that whatever changes are introduced are from the best of motives, and with the honest hope of really improving the religious condition of the community. “If we cut away what is old,” say they, ‘or intrench upon old customs it is because we think the times re- uire it; if we introduce that which is new it is for the same reason.” AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN JUDAISM. But our cause of complaint is t the manner of effecting these changes that American Juda- ism so different from the Judaism of Europe, against the unscientific cultivation of our religion—uanscien- tific because effected by those who are masters in knowledge of business but not in knowledge of our faith, who have never made religion their specialty, ‘end who are not entirely free from the influence of pet ideas and inclinations. What, then, is the rem- edy? The times advance and the development of thought reacts upon us in every way, ‘and necessarily upon religion and all connected with it; but it is the ministers who should assume the care of those de- velopments as far as they affect our religion—not the ministers of any one city or of any one country, but the chief ministers of the chi communities of the world, I have no hesitation in declaring that it is the want of union or cohesion among them that has brought Judaism to its pres- ent condition, or rather thrown it back to its old place of “every one doing what is right in his own eyes.” The changes desired or effected by any congregation, Portuguese or German, orthodox itimate or not. Why should not a Jewish synod decide them? But for congrega- tions toact upon their own responsibility, without perhaps s je member being versed in Hebrew lore, must surely be as rous a8 to intrust a ship in troubled waters without a single navigator among the crew. To show you how incom it ordi: He- brews are to act on questions this nature I will submit some questions, that you may see how neces- sary it in to ol the decision of those who make the Bible and our religion their especial study. JEWISH RITES. For example, some permit an organ on Sabbath; those who object say it entails work, which is forbidden. But they are triumphantly an- swered that there was instrumental music in the temple on that day. So there was, but there was sacrifice also, and sacrifice necessitates slaying the animals, cleaning them, ening te altar, raking the ashes, tending the fire—all this is work, and most servile work, but the fourth commandment forbids all work. There was fire, as I said, and trimming the lamps morning and evening by ‘the priests: but it is torbidden in Exodus, xxxv., 3, to kindle fire. How do you reconcile these things? I might quote from the Talmud how it needed the special action of the chief of the Sanhedrin to permit even the Shofar to be blown on Sabbath at one place, Jabné, where the Sanhedrin was located, by which the Cote might know that though the temple was just stroyed still was there acentre for our faith, but I } purposely confine myself to the Bible. I ask, there- ore, if we may have music on the Sabbath because they had it in the temple, why may we not do work | and light fire for the same reason, and if this be the | case what 1s the purpose of the command we quoted? THE MODES OF WoRsHIP, jain, others would have the gentlemen worship | without hats, though I have never heard the same | | suggestion for the ladies. To say they wish it be- cause itis the custom of their neighbors would be fatal to their argument. The only plausible reason they give is that they consider it more respectful. ‘Respectful to whom?” we ask. ‘To God,” they an- awer, But we rejoin, He considered bareheaded worship more respectful, if He did not prefer covered | to mncovered heads, why order the pricsta to be cov- | ered, as we read (Exodus, xxviii., 40)? Why insist upon it, ax we read in verse 43? Why order the priests of the future temple to wear them, as we read in Ezekiel, xliv., 18?" Again, some would have the sexes nit together. Ask them “Why?” They think | it stops talking or staring, or that ts can better watch their children. Those fo come to | talk or stare will never come from not motives. | Let fathers come as well ax mothers and aunts, there | will be no need for watching, but I would ask if God | did not object to the sexes ing ther in public worship why ordain their separation in the tem- | ple; yet we read in I. Chronicles, xxviii., 19, that all the a ements of the temple were written | down by His direction. What was the reason? In- | feriority of one sex? [proved laat week the falsity of thet charge. Would there have teen « woman juage, queen and prophetess, would the high priest have en- | tered the woman’s court on holy atonement day ? | These questions of the day—music, bare is and pews—as IL have put them, are suggested by the Bible | only, which is in your hands, Do you not under stand now the necessity for men who make the Biblo their special study to explain these things if they are | to be explained ? But for each one to act independently means death sooner of later for Judaism. Do woe not see the re- ault of this “every-one-doing-as-he-likes” religion to- | day in the ignofance of our faith, the widespread | apathy, the general disregard of religious restric- tions?” Every day # synod is deferred is a sin upon the shoulders of those who should hold it. No mat- | ter the impatience of ecclesiastical authority, all true men would respect the deliberate opinion of a qualified and honorable body, expressed upon any subject whatever, why not upon the modern develop- ment of our faith, whether tese things are right or | wrong. 1s LIFE WITHOUT FOOD. The Wonderful Existence and Intelli gence of Mollie Fancher. NINE YEARS IN A TRANCE, An Extraordinary Statement Made by Dr. Charles E. West. About four weeks ago there was published in th: columns of the HERatp an account of the extraor- dinary existence of Miss Mary J. Fancher, of Brooke lyn, who has subsisted without food for many years. The publication attracted considerable attention at the time, and the following additional evidence bear- ing on the case, given by Dr. Charles E. West to a Henawp reporter yesterday, will be found of peculiar interest :— MOLLIE FANCHER'S HISTORY. Dr, West said:—I first became acquainted with Mary J. Fancher, known as “Mollie” Fancher, Septem- ber 10, 1860, She was then fourteen years of age and was brought to Brooklyn Heights Seminary, of which I am the proprietor, by her aunt, Mrs, Crosby. She was a beautiful girl, of delicate constitution; gentle and very pleasing, a fine scholar and was about ready to graduate when I advised her to leave school on account of her health. She left in April, 1864, and took lessons in horseback rid- ing. Unfortunately, she was thrown and had two or three of her ribs broken. She wag otherwise badly injured, but recovered sufficiently, however, to get about again. In 1865 she met with another accident. On stepping from a street car in Brooklyn her skirt was caught and she wat dragged over the pavement a block. By this acci- dent her nervous system was so shattered that she never recovered from its effects, In the early part of 1866 she would throw herself into all sorts of contor- tions. She would bring her head and feet together and roll over the floor like «# hoop. She would stand on her toes and spin like a top. This was in the month ot February. When in this violent state it would require several persons to watch her. D. ring that month she lost all her senses, even the sense of touch, She was then given chloroform to relax her jaws so that she could take food, which was forced down her throat, but her stomach would not bear it. LIVING WITHOUT FOOD. In May of the same year she asked for food. A small piece of cracker and a teaspoonful of punch ‘were given her. This was the first food she had taken in seven weeks that she was able to retaiy on her stomach. She lost her speech that same month. She was subject to trances during this period. They would come and go, and when in one she was, to all appearances, dead. in June nourishment was forced by a pump into her stomach, which made her deadly sick, As a result her throat closed, and she wad unable to take any nourishment or utter a soun My first visit to her was on March 4, 1867. I foun her lying on her right side, with her right arm fold under hee head. Her fingers were clinch in the palm of her hand. The same was true of the other hand. Her right hand and arm wera paralyzed, and this was true of her body generally except her left arm. She was in a trance, sighed and seemed to be in pain. These trances, at this period, continued ten or twelve days. For twelve years she has lain in one position, for nine years in the rigid, or paralyzed. state, her muscles only relaxing when under the influence of chloroform. For the last three years her muscles have Ween in a flexible state. Her sufferings while sing into this new condition wera extraordinary. During this long sickness there have been times when she had not the use of one of her senses, For days she has been, to all appearances, SEEMINGLY DEAD. The slightest pulse could not be detected. There was no evidence of respiration. Her limbs were as cold as ice, an not been for some beat in the region of heart she would have been buried. During these twelve ears she has virtually lived without food. jeces of fruit and water have been introduced into her mouth, but scarcely any of them ever made their way to her stomach. So sensitive has been this o: that it would not retain anything. It collay so that by placing the hand upon it the spine could’ easily felt. There was no place for food. Her heart was greatly enlarged. Severe 6 passed from it through the left side end shoulder. With the exception of slight intervals she has been totally blind. Her eyelids were closed for nine years. When she passed. from the rigid. to the limp state her-eyos, opened and remaineé ering. On the Fourth of July lust the eyelids closea again, and have remained so to the present time. When I first saw her she had but one sense—that of touch. With that she could read with five times the rapidity of one by eyesight. She read by running her tingey over the printed page as wellin darkuess as in light. With this sense she could discriminate the pho-~ toyraphs of friends, the faces of persons in the room, &c. She never sleeps. She does her most del- icate work in the night, preferring night to day, Her rest is taken in the trance state, which answers for sleep, She performs none of the ordinary functions: of life unless it be that of breathing. She receives nothing and gives out nothing, unless it is insensible perspiration. Her circuéation of blood is sluggish, and, as a consequence, there is very little animal She says she cannot die, for there is nm heat. to die. Such, in brief, is her bodily condition. MENTAL ACTIVITY. To me her mental state is more extraordinary then her physical. She has the power of second sight. All places are alike open to her mental vision. Distance interposes no barriers. No retirement, however #o cluded, but yields to her penetrating vision. Thia power, of course, is confined to objects and Persong that interest her. She will dictate the contents sealed letters without a single error. She will visit the family circles of her friends in dis tant towns and tell what they are doing and describe — their mal attire. Persons entering the house of her Loe whether ac- uaintances or strangers, are instantly recognized. Say article which has been mislaid she sees and tells where it can be found. She discriminates the most delicate shades of color. She works in em- broidery and wax without any patterns. wax flowers are marvels of beauty. She never studied botany or took a lesson in wax work, and yet sho never makes @ mistake in the form of a flower or leat. Holding her pen or pencil in her left hand, she writes with extraordinary eeity, the letters being well formed and legible. wrote # poem of ten verses in as many minutes, her thoughts flowing with the rapidity ot lightning. In cutting velvet leaves for pincushions she holds the scissors by the knuckles of thumb and finger of left hand, and bring- ing the velvet with thumb and finger of right hand— both hands being behind her head—she cuts the leaves as sharp as if they had been cut with « die. In the early part of her illness she cut over two thousand of these. To April, 1871, she had used 2,500 ounces of worsteds. To December, 1875, she had written 6,500 notes and letters. When she passed from the rigid to the limp condition, three years ago, #he forgot all that occurred during the nine years and began to talk about matters at the time of the car accident. The nine years have been a blank and are still so to her, A MICROSCOPIC ESCAPE. SEVEN OMNIBUS PASSENGERS SAVED FROM & LIGHTNING EXPRESS TRAIN. (From the Utica (N. ¥.) Herald, Nov. 7.] One of the most miraculous escapes of seven per sons from a terrible death ever recorded occurred a the Ilion depot yesterday afternoon. The day ex- press going east had just started from the ion depot about a quarter to six P. M. Frank Reose, the owner and driver of the omnibus ranning from the depot to the village, had five passengers—two ladies and three ntlemen—and a boy occupied the seat with the iriver. Reese started for the vil with his losd, having to cross the railroad tracks just west of the station. A freight train was moving slowly west on the south track, No. 4, the speed being slackenod. | as the tratn approached the station, so as not to interfere with the express, Reese drove of tho freight train, Just asx his horses were step- ping over track No. 3 he saw the special Chicago ex. eas approaching on that track a in the sane irection as the freight. He reined in his horses, and’ this undoubtedly saved seven lives; as the movemen® of another foot would have thrown the omnibus un- der the heavy train. The boy jumped, and Reese waa hurled from his seat. The horses were killed and the forward wheels were torn from the omnibus and care ried away with the horses. The body of the vehicle dropped to the ground, ju: at the train. The boy ix reported slightly scratched, but Reese and his ed unhurt, though badly frightened, AN well they might be. The train was in charge of Conductor Piper, and tod ten cars. It was drawn by 5 Michaeb Carroll, engineer, snd James Poek, fireman. Enginect Carroll says his train wae about ten Minutes late at Ilion. He met the day ex: © | site the Remington warehouse as it ‘itted out of The station and lapped a freight train which was moving slowly west, between the express and the station, Fireman Peek sat on his seat ringing the bell. Just ae he wae passing the freight in, Which wae just east of the crossing, Engineer Carroll says he sud- denly saw a pair of forves stepping from track No. 4 on to his track, No.2 The driver red to Ve holding them in when the corner of the pilot atrnck the nigh horse and the train ruahed on. man Peek jumped from his seat and asked what they had hit, and Carroll told him to pull the patent bral which was done, The train ran somedistance backed np. Conductor Piper was seriously injured and | Carroll is one of the most, men on the road. said to be ve never met with any acckden