Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-10-14
"rhs season. at Fashionablo Churches.

Tho Season" at Fashionable Churches.
We have given in the Herald the
opening of the fall season among the
milliners and theaters, and now a simi-
lar opening in the fashionable churches
claims our attention. The fall pro.
gramme Of these churches will serve as
an interesting supplement to our amuse-
ment columns The pastors have been
in training all summer at the watering
places for the great contest between
them and Satan this winter. But while
our worthy parsons have been away
from their hocks, the arch enemy has
been at work in terrible earnest, and
pipelaying for the coming campaign. He
has been stirring up the muscle Of the
metropolis, and preparing them a Ia Nor
rissey as candidates for Congress, the
qualifications of which, he announces,
are TO be a light or heavy weight cham.
pion of the prize-ring His Internal
Majesty has been also caucusing with
some OF the theatrical managers with
view toward shortening the dresses Of
their ballet dancers, and thereby render
ing Black Crook exhibitions more attrac-
tive than ever. Hence, it will require all
the skill and energy of our clergymen TO
combat the cloven hoofed champion this
winter. There used to be, eighteen hun.
dred years ago, dozen poor fishermen
in Galilee, who went forth rs apostles TO
the whole world, and their Divine Master
said to, them, TAKE nothing for your
journey; neither slaves nor scrip, neither
bread nor money neither have two coats
apiece"
The pastors of our fashionable
churches sadly neglect this command at
the present day Fine lawn and broad
cloth, head done up in the latest style
of the fashionable hair-dresser, hand
some salary, fat horses, and an elegant
establishment, are few Of the distin-
guished characteristics of the nineteenth
century. The churches are so many
mirrors Of fashion, and the latest styles
of bonnets, cloaks and dresses adorn
the pews. By the way, why not call
these pews boxes and dress circles, as
there are reserved seats in each, and the
audience is mainly made up Of people
who 90 to church to see and be seen. We
know not yet of any definite changes in
the programmes of the managers of the
churches, but doubtless they have plenty
of religious novelties on hand The
grand opening of the churches took place
in this city and Brooklyn before crowded
audiences Even the steps of the pulpit
were invaded by crinolined and CHG
noned worshippers, and the blooming
faces of the preachers were received with
delight by the various audiences. There
will be, probably, many debuts made in
the pulpits this season, and the ladies
are already making extensive prepare.
tions in the way of boquets aud slip.
pers for the expected aspirants
for ministerial honors. We wonder
very much what one of those earnest,
devoted apostles of olden time would say
if he we're to visit fashionable gospel
establishment of the present day, osten-
sibly devoted to the worship Of God.
The wrath of Moses when he came down
from the mountains with the command
ments and found the Israelites dancing
around the golden calf, would be a mild
comparison with the spectacle Of the
wrath OF the evangelist IN y Herald.
I