Daily Republican., 1878-12-11
CHURCH FAIRS AND BEES.

CAURCA FAIRS AND BEES.
Sssmss by Dsv. I. II. Hslaemaa, IL
Delaware Avenue lsAptist Church
% Sunday Last.
II having been announced that tn,
Rev. Mr.. Haldeman would preach q
sermon against Church Fairs, ETC., las,
Sunday evening, Delaware Avenue
Church was crowded to its utmost ca,
pacity with an eager and expectant
congregation.
Mr.. Haldsman read the 18th chapter
Of Revelations as the lesson for the
evening. He selected three texts. The
hrst, LIST Corinthians. IL, %: What (!
have ye not houses to eat and drink in ?
or d.spiss ys the Church of God, and
shame them that have not What shall
| say unto your Shall I praise you in
this : ! praise you not" The second
text was in John, 2, 1917, relating to
Christ's entrance into the Temple, and
his casting out the money. hangers,
etc. The third text was in Rev. 8, Is,
l6: 81 know thy works that thou art
neither cold nor hot" etc.
I'VE present the following condensed
report Of the sermon
| bring this theme before you to ask
you 70 listen while | speak what you
may call imagination, a dream or a far
fetche0 picture. 1t is the close OF day,
and the city has put on its evening
dress. Lights are shining from shop
windows. Slip and slide the multitude
on the sidewalk, with careless hearts.
They come and go like the tide. 1t is
tide the tide, Of human life. We
mingle with the throng-pass brown
stone banks closed for the day; grand
mansions brilliantly lighted and gay
saloons from which issue the fumes II
liquor. Sliding along, bye and bye we
find ourselves in an eddy whirling
around and around, with friend pull
ing us this way, and the crowd forcing
US back. We see well dressed young
men coming out of fine building, and
We read in large flaring lett-rs:-"Good
Supper for fifty cents" We enter. A
grand sight meets our eyes. Rows OF
well dressed, cultured people, laughing
and talking, are seated at ell.spread
tables; walters in white aprons are
passing cups of steaming hot coffee.
There is a clatter Of dishes, knives,
forks and spoons.
A slide OF feet J heard as the happy
groups pass to and fro through the room
and there is brightness and cheer,
evervW here. We say this is an IS
tablishment that gives credit TO any
city. Such high walls, such large
windows, every thing 80 brilliant!
But what is there ! 1t looks like a
pulpit, but it seems to be the place
here the orchestra meets. inquire
what it is. The answer: it is a
pulpit. ask "what is the need of a
pulpit in this establishment" Our
friend says. This is church" "a
churchW what sort of church," "The
church of our Lord Jesus Christ. :"
"And who are those waiters'" "Saints
washed in the blood Of the Lamb, and
made whittier than snow"
W. pass down the street. A crowd
follows us into another door. We see a
well-dressed audience. On the plat
form are rows of ladies and gentlemen,
facing each other, while in the centre,
the place Of honor, stands gentleman
holding in one hand a aspelling book.
Near by is copy Of Wsbster's diction-
ary and WOrcester's unabridged.
We remark to one of a group, We are
glad to see the people interested in
Orthosphy and Orthoeraphy. He looks
at US as if we hailed from the country,
and says: "This is not spelling school;
1t Is church." "But don't they know
how to read the Bible hersi" "Why,
sir, this is Pronouncing Bee" for the
benefit of the church, to rails. money to
pay the pastor, and to send the gospel
to the Jim Jam Indians.
We pass on. We go to place of
such grand display, that We say, this
is in rivalry OF Wanamaksr. There are
piles Of linen, flannel, toys, slippers,
every thing from clothes line to first
class stove We are asked to take ten
cents worth Of grab-bag. We find that
there is a we'll where lemonade can b-
had.
Over yonder in the corner is fish
pond. And what do they catch there'
Why ten cents is paid, book is put
npon the end Of the line, and thrown
over, and an article placed upon it worth
surely ten cents, perhaps it ia worth
twenty-five. But there stands a vsnsr-
able gentleman, the object Of gr eatest in.
tersst. He wears a white cravat. He
holds in his arms baby, awax bapy
with rosy checks and sparkling eyes.
We say, "who is this gentlemani"
"Why, sir, this is the pastor of the
church, and the object Of this fair is to
buy Bible for the pulpit and a new
stove tor the kitchen in the basement
We pass down the street and find a
place elegantly illuminated. The cur.
tain Is down and the orchestra play
ing. Ths curtain rises. We have
representation Of one Of Tsnnyson's
poems, Or any other poem, no matter
which. There Is . burst Of applause.
Other plays follow and the entertain
msnt closes With lAughAble farce.
, We are about 70 60 out, we'll pleased
with the evenings entsrtainment.-I
When one comes 10 the front and sol.
smnly says: Nov may the grace Of
our Lord Jesus bs with you ALL" |
I W. remark: "This 10 unlike what |
w have ever heard at . theatre before. :"
He replies, ''This is not theatre; II IL
! church." .,... .......... '..
We pass out, going 10 another place
where . number are gathered. They
seem very quiet, and We say: 'At last
We have entered . place Of worship"
We are among the Friends, and they
ara aittinV in ailanoN and thOuVht. But