ere are thousands of respectable people in the great
city who never see the inside of a church, unless drawn there by some
special attraction. The support of the churches, therefore, falls on
comparatively a few. These give liberally, and it may be doubted whether
any other band of Christians are more munificent in their offerings.

The distinctions which govern the world prevail in the city churches.
Fashion and wealth rule here with an iron hand. The fashionable
churches, with the exception of Grace Church, are now located high up
town. They are large and handsome, and the congregations are wealthy and
exclusive. Forms are rigidly insisted upon, and the reputation of the
church for exclusiveness is so well known that those in the humbler walks
of life shrink from entering its doors. They feel that they would not be
welcome, that the congregation would consider them hardly fit to address
their prayers to the Great White Throne from so exclusive a place. The
widow's mite would cause the warden's face to wear a well-bred look of
pitying amazement if laid in the midst of the crisp bank notes of the
collection; and Lazarus would lie a long time at the doors of some of
these churches, unless the police should remove him.

Riches and magnificence are seen on every side. The music is divine, and
is rendered by a select choir of professional singers. The service is
performed to perfection. The sermon is short and very pretty, and the
congregation roll away in their carriages, or stroll along the avenue,
well satisfied that they are in the "narrow way," which the Master once
declared to be so difficult to the feet of the rich man. But that was
eighteen hundred years ago, and the world has grown wiser in its own
estimation.

II. THE CLERGY.

Talent, backed by experience and industry, will succeed in the long run
in New York, but talent is not essential to success in the ministry here.
We have often wondered what does make the success of some clergymen in
this city. They have done well, and are popular, but they are not pulpit
orators. In other cities a good pastor need not always be a good
preacher. He may endear himself to his people in many different ways, so
that his other good qualities atone for his oratorical deficiencies. In
New York, however, pastoral duties are almost entirely confined to the
ministrations in the church, visitation of the sick, marriages, and
attendance upon funerals. The city