The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-04-03
pcn,,ns o. Church Pews.

sy.-.u SINNERS DRIVEN AWAY
rsox cnCNcHss-THs H'FP"DkoAs os'"pSp
-, Costly CHrRCngs KMFTT on SUNDAY.
-,4. Editor cf the Tribune:
~ Of r strange. exposition OF our
ss,n Christianity 10 this centennial year
AI ra,ion y, Pnl4delpha and New YORK,
o. 80, CONSERVATIVES from ali parts OF the
va va arr cyocc.cd to assemble, there to oo-
w.. w. ard consider our system OF religion,
-, make report accordingly. we show
. ~" ., Zines h, an extraordinary effort an
,rtnn,fy va, j. afInrded for the common
Faa,if:, 10 wor> tyir. IS is seen in the pre-
r.aL,,on Of an immense dep0' in one city,
c;rrns bn;Id,nc in the o,her, as tempo
., niaces Of wcr>hp. In these SER
r,res are conducted by coolF auu earnest
,,an but hv men who nave never "esn
=; ,ra!t 10 Srch service by any 'tSi''ihi's
.n,horiry 10 which they are amenaole, anu
It uh,ch they can be kept orderly-in 'act,
ts;rg onlg convcuticIcS-a and "hiic sucn
,I,,. /. cnusrantlv crowded with sincere
nnrshinpsrS. We show within the range OF
=, ,,op numerous costly and spacious houses
n cor.hip which are cousecrateo 10 tpe
,.,r God. ard we'll appointed in all require
,,-nr. Of worship, where everything can
!" ~ done d, Gently and in ORDER" each hav-
;-r is company of Christian believers,
,,r,sd in a common profession of faith, and
s,,b lis pa>ior or priest set apart by laying
- r. hqrd. 10 minister at it's altar and yet
,bcs. ,smpI,,, 70 which the people are CON-
,n.rdad 10 come and do reference as the
rarc,n2ry of cd, stand silent and vacant.
49, .rh,n opeped on the sabbath, are attended
br .fcc, few of the weIl-to-do only-a
r!s,s which cannot be numerous in any com.
uUDty.
Voy. what will be the impression given
conc.rnirr our religion to these assembled
rsonlr OF various religions? Aud why are
these ,bin.s so? The first question l leave
unanswered. 10 the other | reply by the
assertion that this ircoperuous, this anti
Christian situation, is brought about by the
system Of pew-rcntlug. But for the probi-
hilton which ibis system enfOrces, the people
would more gladly resort to the churches
,bsn 10 rinkS, or bpprodromes, or any other
conyen,icle. Bat they cannot attend upon
the appouments Of Gods house while this
system is IN force without renting seats,
which the many sre not able to do; and
those who, through these extraordinary
tfNts and opportunities, are induced
10 enter upon o new lite must,
il unable 10 rent pews, be left as
sheep without a shepherd; and undoubtedly
maDr will consequently turn back TO ire
gion and destruction. There has recently
been an assembly OF Christians in Philade-
phia 10 discuss the questions now to reach
pen.cburcb-goe.s and how to gather in the
fruits of the revival. There was no end 10
the nonsense evolved in that discussion,
while with peryerseness almost incredible
the Idea OF opening churches to the people
S & means Of grace was wholly ignored.
When the house oi God is opened to them as
God hsS commspded, if "yet there is room,'
X will be in order 10 discuss further. There
is to be similar convention in New York on
the 29.h and so b Of this month. 1t is 10 he
hoped lhs, this question will then be reached
aud considered. Why. there is nothing to dc
in this matter but to open our houses o.
worship to lhe people. "Whosoever will
let them come and p4rtake Of the water o
life freely" If 1t be said that were the
churches made fee the persons referred to
would not atteod, nor could expenses be
paid, it can be SAID in reply that the first Is 0
libel upon our fellow.worshipers, and the
second is q libel upon the Great Head of the
Church. Now, many-perbaps the most oi
our church gosrs-do not realize the exist,
ence OF tins stale of affairs; but to these in
c0ngrulties, 10 this great wrong in the
churches, We must be awakened. There
must be reform. Let this evil continue
let none but those who are able
to pay largely ENJOY the ministration
Of the gospel in our churches
and the revival will come far short of wha
II might accomplishing fact, there can be nc
"great work." But it cannot continue. II
lss perversion OF the right ways of the
Lord; 1t is false testimony by Gods choser
wisresses concerning divine things; it /:
s'uIlilyipg the miDistry-destroying their in
auence with the people; it is causing spirit
lal decliDe in our membership; and 1t j
converting the House of God into privat
cubhouses. Therefor the time is st hant
when We must have free houses of worship
Or no acceptable worship. WATCHMAN.
Chicago, March ~, 1876.