New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-03-11


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while the lines OF demarcation between the dItefen'
classes have already become sufficiently olsthcN ~.
tendency is receiving new strength and Development -
rapidly Sugmcntng ratio. Even IN county q! e. ais
where the population ia sparse, and the atune ,h,
ncto5s Of society are little known. the worfipE VI @
90 leen,is in many instances made ano
petty coterie of village magnases may ~ D.. r.
Shipping God apart from the body OF tne P.oP sI
evil ia much more apparent, well AZ iiioIe uevpS
es, 800 a. o- nounIons towns where the causes which
r-oduce il have been longerin opefauoo' anu
fully enjoyed the favor OF eiTcuins,aHe' " .io ga
cepfers Of wealth Intelligence ana influence tue sepsra
10, the classes is in many instances complete
and IN many more the process is rapidly progressive
There are crowded religious congregations composed 30
errlusirey Of the wealthy scarcely 10 embrace an H.
divent family or individual and the number OF such
churches where the Gospel Is preached to the
Poor. IS constantly increasing Rich men, instead OF
associstng themselves with their more humble fellow
Christian where their money well as their influence
and counses SO much needed, usually combine 10
erect magnificent churches in which sttnss are TOO eI
Pensive for any but people OF fortune and from "nic
their essfavored brethren as etectuely ano Pc
remporly excluded as if there were oisoonor OF con
tsgion their presence congregation Is mus cohsu
tuled able wheu. the slightest Inconvenience, TO pear
the pecunary burdens OF twenty churches, monopo
lizng and consgnng TO comparative inactivity intel
lectua moral material resources Tor want oil ~nlch
so many other congregations are doomed 10 struesie
with the mos, embarrassing difficulties Can It Tor
moment be thought that such state OF things is &C.
srabe in harmony with the spirit and design OF Tue
Gospel
more difficult question arises when we inquire alter
remedy for evils glazing 10 be overlooked and TOO
grave 10 tolerated without EFFORT 10 pelate II not
TO remove them. The most obvious palliative ana one
which has already been tried extent By wealthy
churches individuals is the erection OF Tree places OF
worship for the Poor Such provision for this class OF
persons would be efectual in any other part oil the
world than in the United States Whether II arises from
the operation OF political system or from the easy
attainment of least the prime necessarles OF he the
poorer classes here characterized by proud spirit
irb IN
fits in any form that implies inferorty or depenoence-
This strong aud prevalent feeling must continue 10 IN
terposc serious obstacles in the way OF these laudaoe
attempts. If in few instances churches Tor tne foor
have succeeded in large cities, where the theory OF
social equality is imperiectly realized IN the actual
condition of the people and where the presence OF n
multitude OF INDECENT foreigners tends TO lower the sen
,iuent Of independence strong il native'oorn amer
cans the systen s yet man!esty incapable oil general
application 10 the religious wants OF our population -
The same difficulty usually in all attempts 10 in
ducc the humber classes TO worship with the Rlch IN
suuptuous churches by reserving Tor their oeneht
portion Of the sittings free, or at nominal rent ew
only can be found who willing TO be recognized and
provided for beneciaries and paupers, while the
multitude will always prefer 10 make great sacrihses III
order TO provide for themselves in humber lane
II be admitted that this subject bese with prac
tical difficulties which arc not likely 10 be removed
speedily without great and improbable revolu-
ton in religious affairs. Yet II the Respectable
Christian denominations most concerned in the subject
shall pursue wise md liberal policy tor the future,
something may be done TO check the evil. Ihey may
likely be found impossible TO eradicate IL altogether II
ought 10 be well understood TINT the multiplication OF
magnificent churches is daily making the line oil de-
marcaon between the Rich and the Poor more ana
more palpsbe and impossible. There many good
reasons for the erection OF such edces Increasing
wealth and civilization TO cali for liberal and
tasteful outlay in behalf OF Religion, yet IL the dictate
of prudence less than of duty to balance carefully the
good and the evil of every enterprise. should ever be
kept in mind that such church virtually writes above
sculptured portals irrevocabc prohibition TO the
%
will not pretend TO determine how far IL might be
wise II il were practicable, 10 check the oeral
spirit now So active in multiplying sumptuous religious
edifces We have. perhaps more encouragement to
look in another direction for the moderation desired
There be doubt that general increase OF mum
bic spiritual religion would operate as powerful cneck
upon the prevailing disposition TO prefer communion
with opueBt congregations, rather than pursue the
walks Of lowlier pieiy Ia company with The POOR
The good ends would be farther promoted by the
increasing prevalence of liberal catholic spirit de-
cided md simultaneous advance in piety and charty
though should stop short ct harnonzing conniclIng
and opinions and bringing their votarles N wor
shin in common temple. might yet be sufficient to
reach and considerably mitigate some OF the greatest
hardsbips to which have advertcd In such an I'M
proved state Of Christian sentiment congregation, or
sect opuent in intellectual pecuuiarv means beyond
the ratio Of It's numbers might easily confer the greatest
benefits the feeble aud destitute wealthy denouil-
nation with few Of the Poor under It's ministry and WIN
little access this class. would then be inclined to aid
those who providentay called to preach the Cos
pel 10 the masses How easily might one OF our great
metropolitan churches relieve dozen poor congrega
tious from the burden OF debts, or other emharrass
merits under which they left to struggle on from
wear to year What inestimabe benefits might de-
nomination the smallest and richest confer BY
aiding the poorer secis in extending the blessings OF
Religion and Education the multitude placed by
Divine Providence under their influence and watch
care Now it hardly be doubted. that with such an
enlargement of charity have supposed, there would
come more enlarged views oi duty and privilege, ana
that sectaran lines might cease to be nsuperaoie par
rers in the way Of far more exuberant and duusive
bersv than now prevails Under such better auspices
il would at least be longer possible for opulent en-
lightened Christian denominations to look win hosuiy
or even indifference upon their fellow iaborers in Inc
vineyard of common Master The sympabies as well
AS the resources of the whole Christian Church would
look about in quest OF It's wants and substantial nerests
while there would inevitably arise bonds OF brotherhood
SO many and strong between all the members OF one
Christian family would far TO exclude al! the petty
caou and burnngs which wealth and position
provoke in the church no less than IN the
world when they forget their proper mission
One lesson more, We should imagine would be In
etiaceRby impressed upon those Christian denomins-
tons which through Providcn,al means or their own
special adaptations and exeruons monopolze large
portion Of the influential classes while they have sig
nay failed of obtaining corresponding development
among the great body of the people Ii is lesson OF
enlarged catholic iberay. They have. in their re!a
tive position clear &c nous,rson at least that others
as we'll they have dispensstion OF the Gospel com
med to them. That surely, cannot be the only spos-
toc and legitimate system OF faith or poity, which
after experiment carried through successive gene
rstious OF men, has in this country, shown itself
italy incapable Of penetrating the masses. They who
evangeze the wealthy, the intellectual and the refined
do uuouestionsbly perform good work and there
may be those who have special vocation to this in
vns field. No liberal minded Christian will under
value their efforts desire call in question the
ineness Of their piety, the validity OF their eccle
sias,ica system but may be well for al parties 10 re-
member that there signs Of aposteship older and
surer this mission the Rich and they need not
despair OF making good their claim TO part in this
Ministry VINO appeal. their Master did, 10 emil
uent success among the and affirm like him.
that through their nsirumentality 1.-the blind receive
their sigh, and the lame walk the lepers ceansed
and the deaf hear the dead raised up and Poor
HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED UNTO THEM
General Notices.