, 1877-11-04

Impression is daily gaining ground that the
rapid strides OF irre1igion among the working
Classes arises from the ostracism which pcrYades
the churches ia regard to this large class Of Our
people. That they are virtually ostracised from
church attendance is 1ancntably too true. It
would be cruel to charge that the membership
OF the churches really mean to exclude the poor
from hearing the Word, for there are many good
men and women among them, who would in-
dignantly frown upon such IN imputation rs an
insult to their professions as followers Of the
meek ana loWly Jesus. But this very class are
just us guilty in reality IS their moro worldly
associates, and they evidence their contempt
against this class OF worshipers more by their
outward out; SURROUNDINGS than possibly BY their
real feelings. ~ poor man In his rags and pov-
esty, when chat poverty is not brought about BY
anT fault OF his own, Is Just as proud as the
man who boasts bis millions. He will not at
ccit as gratuity that for which he eau make
no return; neither will he force himself into a
place where all the surroundings show him he
Is not expected, and where he has no business.
He knows and feels that all the luxury and
uagnitcencc OF our modern churches we're not
provided for him, hut Tor those who arc acc,ls-
toned to such grandeur Hence he will absent
himself. The feast OF fat things has not been
spread for him. Lazarus will not exhibit his
sores at the overloaded table OF Dives His rags,
clean though they be. are out OF place side bv
sitlc with the silks and satins aud hroadcioth OF
his fcllow-worshlpcr, and none are so peculiar
ly sensitive upon this subject as the respectable
poor.
What was the cause OF the immense crowds
that daily aud nightly locked to the Tabernacle
during the Moody meetings? Curiosity may
have led them once or twice, but after that it
was simply because there was nothing In the
surroundings any better than any decent poor
family could have at nornc. Even the rich and
fashionable had the good sense to leave their
jewels aud fine trapplngs at home, to be aired
onlY when thev attended their own church on 4
Sunday. The knew, none better, that tiusel and
ornament would have been out Of place iu such
building and before such an audience An
other reason for the crowds attendant WAS, that
the poor had the Gospel preached unto them, Us
it WAS preached in the days when our Savior was
upon the earth. Moody was beyond all ques-
ttou tho evangelist of the poor. Again the Cos
pei Was free to all. and herein was another great
argument which took firm hold on the popular
heart
God, in Ills infinite goodness, has put It into
the hearts OF few good men aud women OF
this city to attempt n similar movement here
upon a permanent basis. The intention Is to
erect plain but substantial bnildlDg, plain II,
its Interior and exterior. in the midst OF Que of
our most popu]ous districts, something after the
plan. saw. OF the Methodist Church Block, or
Fafwel] Hall, with stores underneath and 4
large audience room on the second floor, and By
this lneaus make the enterprise partly sclf-sus-
tainiug, and then tn throw open its doors to tue
people, without regard to sect or creed, ,-fur
neithcr will be permitted uttcFancc from the
pu!pi1--and where only Jesus will be preached,
and all will be invited to come without money
md without price 1.-The poor have re always
with yot1,'' aud to this class will the invitation
be especially extended and the warulest welcome
given: Here is IN opportunity offered to the
true and benevolent Christian men and women
Ut Chicago to MD in furthcrng the true interests
Of Chrst's kingdom on earth. L. 3.