Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-03-05
A Church, Home.

10 Protestant Christians there remain
no realities oil conservation: holy a,so-
Citations, holy habits, devotional mo.
tions, alone remain. And Protestants,
sooner or later, faiI to get the worth of
their money from their splendid church
buildings, because they have no use for
them except Tor two Or three hours of
prayer, song, and speech-makiny on Sum
days. And they have no use for them
rs praying places, because they are no
better for this use than the chamber. the
shops, or the curbstone.
"A Protestant Westinghouse is not in
any literal sense the house of God: there
lore the devOtees desert it, and tbrono
other meeting houses which are held TO
De placed where part of GoD's person
Is sheltered and may be approached.
"idolstry" AS you please.
What uses of church-propertv are nos
sible tLen! Answer: Social wants NAV
be developed and satisfied: the stateli.
ness, mystery, and superstition of the
cathedral may give place to the snup
comfort and content of a church home
irequented by simple-minded brethcren
intent on social eonveniences and social
graces.
A church cannot spin! round fifty CEN
tres; VIZ, the drawing rooms of fifty
wealthy members: therefore let church
drawing-room be provided church.
nome. Women are in excess in all our
churches: therefore let woman rule in
this church-home. Meeting houses are
usually at one side from the everyday
run ways: therefore let the rooms for
everyday use be put in the way of everv-
day wayiaring. Shoppers are often
weary: come III and rest. Unexpected
iettcrs call Tor answers: come in and
write. To meet friend for walk or
taik, appoint to ''meet at the ro, ms :"
sewing society gathers luggage burden
some TO move: keep it al the rooms. aud
meet there every time. Walking is bad
and we would stay down in town TO
meeting: pinch of tea and stove
are at your service. Little girls and
bpvs need dancing lessons: call them
caIlsthenlcs, and have them sat the
rooms Women cannot speak in meet
ing draw up the chairs around the par
ior table, and let us talk. A stranger
nultes with the church: come in We'd
hesday afternoons, and take tea with
whom You may meet. \ brother or
sister Is sick, and needs help: send word
10 the rooms let the message lie on the
table, and be seen. Young folks sing
school, teachers meetings, in a
word, CHUKCH-HoME,-full OF whatso-
ever things are pure, lovely, and OF good
report.
There let the pastor and his wife (if
She have no childrcn) keep house at
hours. There let the ''church-nother''
be found. Thither let lovers come to be
married III Il homclikc way. rhere let
piano and Il modest library attract.
There come the children for romps.
and osd folks for sociablcs.
CHURCH-HoME FOR HOME USES.
Het the idea we'll in mind; LEI The
pastor and few act it out perscvcring.
y. Time and growth will do the rest.
but 1t takes time; and after all, there
men with such roomy houses and home
comforts that they will fight shy of any.
thiilg Ike communism. But, sooner or
ia'er, the average common people catch
the .dea; and u comfortable church-home
Is used daily, as the carpets testify
ZEE. L. h. Beecher, in March, OLD AND
NEW.