The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-04-23
" 6ectarian Grants"

There is society in New York called the
Y5uDg Mems Christian Association" 1t
has a really splendid building for lecture
rooms and reading rooms; and is said to be
quite liberal THAT is, DOn-sectarlan In
its organic ation and administration. In
fact, it's members belong to as many as six
Christian sects, only (mind yOu) all EVAN
gelical." We have not the slightest idea
what an Evangelical sect is but there Is
no doubt that these people attach some
stand one another. Now, these Young
Christian Men, through their president,
Mr.. William E. Dodge, Jr., have felt 1t
needful to add their circumstances to those
protests of Baptists aid Methodists,. in
order, as it We're, to put on record their
solemn judgment that the adherents of the
Mystery of Iniquity ought to pay taxes but
get no benefit from taxes, ought to build up
u city but own no corner of it for their own
purposes, ought to be very happy that they
are allowed to live and carry hOds, let alone
owning tOwn-lots for their idOlatrous wOr-
ship. Such is the judgment OF the young
Christians who agree now with the Method
lists and other Evangelicals in condemning
all grants of public property for sectarian
purposes. In the published remonstrance
which bears Mr.. Dodge's signature, he says
I" That the very valuable property OF the
city should, at the choice of our rulers, be
diverted from the city to uses which, how
strength and increase of particular reli>
gious denominations, is felt by all thought
ful and disinterested men among US to be a
great wrong" This is followed by the
usual reference to "immense and growing
subsidies to the Ronaish Church."
always think after this manner. We fiDd
that. SO late as April 3, 1866, by an act of
the Legislature
William E. Dodge, Jr., and others were in
ISOLATION. The act provided that the directors
shall be chosen from persons in communion
with at least sic different evangelical denomina-
tlons." Section z exempted the real estate of
the corporation from taxation to an amount
" not exceeding 100000"
visors were directed to raise by tax the sum of
$500 for the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton, which was duly raised and paid.
To be sure, these were all Evangelical''
fellows, who did not go a-whoring after
Jezebel; and this alters the case. If they
then,-the pure elect-being made a Prece-
dent for something like fair play to the
very Mystery of Iniquity, they would have
rejected grants with both their hands. In
fact, they did decline a grant of $4,000 in
1868, but in the very next year save one,
that is, in 1870, the magnificent piece OF
real estate owned by these young Christians
VA
the society, was exempted from taxation
$50 long as the same, er-sbe income thereof,
is used exclusively for the purposes for
which the association was Incorporated"
AS to those purposes, there can be no
mistake /; they are purposes strictly "Evan-
gelica" (whatever that is), and by the act
amending the charter in 1869, it was SO
amended as to vest the management of its
property in nine trustees, each of whom
shall be a member of one of the Protestant
evangelical denominations, but not more
than three shall be members of any one
denomination"
The various grants and exemptions from
taxation applied for, accorded to and en-
joyed by this society, amount to a perpetual
grant from the State and city of $4,000 per
annum; but tho man who has house and
lot next door to these Evangelicals pays
his taxes.
The whole of this sanctifed cutlery does
not signify much. 1t amounts to imperti-
hence but, then, it is impotent imperti-
hence which hurts nobody.-Irish Citizen.