New-York tribune., 1873-07-26
NOW PLEASANT 4 THING !!

Church brotherhood, with a slight difference,
is like the ointment which ran down the beard
of Aaron. 1t is fragrant enough in the begin
ming, but apt TO grow rancid when the fly OF
discord which should be dead, will still be
scandalously buzzing in the vestry. The theory
Of Christian fraternity is perfect 1t presumes
a delicate amalgam of love, faith and charity
which, if the proportions were properly pre-
served, would leave nothing to be desired
But the Welsh temper is prOverbaly hot and
hasty. and when half the churches of the
British Establishment are dreadfully divided
houses, we are not astOnished TO find the rate
payers of st. Mary's in Cardiff holding meet
ing, the report Of which reminds us of our
own political primaries. 1t is true that these
Welsh gentlemen did not break each others
heads, but we cannot conceal from ourselves
that they came fearfully near to it. The Vicar
of st. Marys, the Rev. Mr.. Jones, is a gentle
man apparently indulging in the elegant
aesthetics of rituaism, while unfortunately his
rateDavers are quite as enthusiastic in the Op
posite direction. Calling together these hard
headed men, the Rev. Mr.. Jones in bland
and conciliatory way explained to them that
est. Mary's was very unsightly building,
4" and the interior shockingly ugly" He wished
the edilice to be put into " a state of decency
"and ORDER" and he was ready to submit
plans of the proposed alterations to the rate
payers.
This in moment fired the train, and ex-
plosions followed in rapid succession. A Capt.
Williams wanted to know why cross had
been placed over the communion table, after
the Bishop had expressly forbidden it. Mr..
Pullen, very old worshiper at st. t.Mary's, chad
"felt great deal of SORROW in being compelled
"to listen to doctrines which were subversive
"of the Church as laid down in the Bible"
Here the Vicar was upon his legs again beg
ging leave to ask if it was not scandalous that
the pulpit should be in the center of the church
and the organ in the west gallery. Didn't
"you know the church before you took the
"livng7" retorted a ratepayer. Then there
was a small side-debate about the free e-sittings,
followed by another about the pew-rents. After
this the cross on the communion table was
again subjected to a noisy fusillade, which was
followed by grand assault made by Brother
Pullen upon the Norman towers of the church,
which he irreverently likened to " semi-extin
" guishersn He wished two pinnacles raised
20 show that it was liberal church, and he
also wanted an illuminated clock in front of
the building. A Mr. Webb made speech in
which he stuck pins into everybody, trusting"
in his perOration, "that ere long they
would have more unanimity and better
Feeling in the parish.' Singularly enough
this provoked "great Kisses and up
"roar,n and the "unanimity and better feelngn
seemed further off than ever. A gentleman
who wanted to know whether church questions
should be discussed in n Christian spirit, was
thunderously laughed at. 1t was also received
as n bit of exquisite facetiousncss when Capt.
Williams pointed out that if the Vicar had his
own way in these matters, ,Aey would all be