Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-02-07

COMMUNICATED.
Church Performances.


The giving of performances holding of fairs
and such like for the purpose of raising money
for religious objects seems to be growing evil
in our day and generation, and l am fully aware
of the dispeasure which any one will incur
who shall dare to protest against such worldly
minded schemes Now l am fully persuaded
if each individual member of any church would
contribute each week in the same ratio as Inc
Lord has blessed him there would be surplus
always in every church treasury and no need OF
going 10 the outside world for money Tor the
propagation of the cause of Christ. am sure
that, in. Apostolic times, when believers sold
their possessions anu laid the money at the
Apostles feet, had such worldly means been
devised The orgina!ors wou.d have incurred tne
just disapprobaton of the ministers OF Christ.
But the heralds of tho Gospel tell US we 1--we III
an age much to be preferred to primitive times,
under the midday light OF the Sun, &c, with
ancient manners and customs to improve upon,
and yet we fail SO signally TO come up to their
standard in the matter Of giving to tho support
of churches. Of course l do not me can to make
this charge against any single cnurch-they are
all guilty more or less, of the practice Holy
Christ as their portion in this world, calls them
the children of the Highest, partskers OF the
Divine nature, and many otncr endearlng Titles,
which properly comprehended would cause Us
to eschew the folly and foolishness of u world
lying around US in sin and Wickedness and not
bring the church down to its level Tor pecuniary
motives. At the present rapid rate which this
monstrous practice is travelling II viii not be
many wears before Theatrical performer" and
church member will Big synonymous terms,
for the day has come wnen if an organ is needed.
d .;unday school library or anything e'Se ior re-
ligious purposes, the church Immediately opens
q restaurant, or sn ice cream saloon, or glVos 6:
public exhibition in order to raise the desired
amount Now to take young pcople-tor OF
such the performers generally consist: young
inmortals, many of whom nave taken upon
themselves the vows Of the church, and who
should be taught to regard themselves as
strangers and pilgrims upon the earth and not
be of this world even as their Divine Head is not
and place them upon the stage before promla-
cuous assem- blage to make udlcrous attempts 10
ape performers, is radically wrong and great
responsibility rests upon any who engage III IT,
whether they be clergy or lsiLy. know tho reply
many will make to me, that it's only among
ourselves there is no harm in It," Couldn't
YOU get up Il bull fight on the same principle
Now we nil know how prone young people are
to walk in forbidden paths, and how many OF
us have scan the young ones put on sad coun'
tenances when forbidden to engage in some I'M
christian amusement? And now ought any one
who has the Spirit of the Master and who pro-
fesses. with Paul, to be crucfed unto the world
and Line world unto him, 10 engage IN himself or
allow those OF his household to participate in
worldly diversions (thougL they be conducted
in tn, name 0. Christi which it is his place Us
Christian to denounce know that many good
u aoplc commit these errors, supposing lhat
whei, the chill drcn delivered to their care shall
arrive at maturity, Trey will become sober-sided
and All will be- we'll; but the history OF the
world certainly shows the contrary. IT we, rs
Christian people, in order to bring our little
ones prominent before the world, SOW the tares
wa will DO held to fearful account. Now II ls
earnestly to be hoped that there may be q re-
form III these matters, and let US no moro be
compolled to go to the world for money to carry
on OR churches Let us ever remember that
the Church is the Bride Of Christ, and wo are
sure 20 incur His dispeAsuro when we BRING her
down to the level OF this world IN order TO make
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