New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-01-28
SCENES AT THE CHURCHES.

SCENES AT The CHURCHES.
At the morning service at Trinity Church
the attendance large Soats free 10 strangers
casual attendants only after the olose Of the First
Lesson, with the exception Of the five rows OF pews
the Those who SCENE 10 be regular
attendants generally proceeded at 10 their seats
announcing pew number to the sexton usbers, were
escorted thither Usually ladies shown seats
after entering though not few standing the
AISLE through the First and part Of the Second Lessons
Some who ventured yOnd the free five pews
observed to back at placards labelled
occupied" placed the bookrests Of all the
pews beyond. The benches in the aises. however
free from the opening OF the doors Al the afternoon
services the seats are free from the opening
The seats at ST. Johns Chapel Free with the excep
ton OF about Dozen The occupants OF these pews
the ground rents but the trustees OF Trinity Church. Of
which St. Johns is branch, buying these, and t
will be In time wholly free church The ushers yester
day, were very attentive to strangers.
The Chapel OF ~. Augustine, Houston-st. the
Bowery, crowded yesterday morning. This is par
ish OF Trinity Church. Is designed meet the wants
OF the middle aud poor classes The all free and
strangers treated with especial courtesy At the
cusion Of the morning services the clergyman expressed
satisfaction at the presence OF many
tendeda cordial welcome declaring the free ALL
The seating capacity Of St. Clements Protestant
Episcopal Church, No. los Amty-st, was about half
used at the morning service yesterday Strangers
quickly seated IN good positions Regular attendants
the church who had no claim any particular Few
treated IN like manner. The system followed In
this church printed and posted III CONSPICUOUS position
the door, IL states that every person can have
seat at al the services without any charge Those OF the
regular attendants whose means will allow them TO pay
annual pew rent are Invited To do So thus aiding 20
letters ia printed the following Courtesy rendered
strangers in inviting them to seats is Christian duty
Free worship and free TO give" is the motto OF
the Protestant Episcopal Church Of It john the Evan
oliut- NJ Rf.ln l.v.
eath-st. All the slttings are free No distinction 10
made between regular and occasional attendants Polite
demeanor. prompt service and courteous answers u
questions c0aracterze the usaers at ths church Ths
Rev Dr. kame the reetSr SAID 70 aEis. ,n,s nad
been developed beyond the demsnds OF tue people he
he cal cd Incorporating His church received some aid
from trinity Church The difficulty with FRI" churches
was thst it.ny people who able to ent peWs, at
tended free churches occupied and gave hing
~ ard the support OF the churches.
nouuced that the Protestant Episcopal Chus, Of the
Annnneiation. which in West Fourt thst Was free
to the order OF the Book OF Prayer. Toe
tendance large yesterday and most Of the congre
cation made their choice OF seats. There was one
sexton Who devoted himself placing strangers good
pews, apparently without Partially. when inquiry was
made concerning the policy 0f the church toward re- gar
and influential attendants, the sexton stated tha IL was
customary for them to oc upy Their respective pews at
NH services but any stranger equally entitled 10
the pews. II first come, first served There were
no pews allotted toa favored few it was TIE desire
OF tic rector that strangers and parshioners should be
Il equally al nome
In Grace Chapel in Fourteenth ST, near Third-ave
there were 10 ushers yesterday. The corners had
only to consult their dispositions their selections
OF seats aud II they did not secure good ones was
because they were 100 tafuy lhefe were DO reserved
seats whatever.
The ushers at ST. AIMS Protestant Episcopal Church,
in Eighteentl-st., near filthaye., we're prompt Ia
their attentions TO strangers yesterday, and quickly
provided tor those persons VINO seemed Ia hesitate
AT the doors: Regular members Of the church p;sed
down the ases aud seated themselves III rews which
they hid evidently occupied many times before ana which
apparently oneed them 10y right Of previous
WA rutlP 40
cnurch shown 10 pc"s somewhat removed from
those occupied by the church members reporter was
sssur,,i however. that SRA gers permitted 10
go without seals. AMI that the oYy iaek OF fre,do
among members IN the choice OF sciis Wac dlspos.Dn
la ALLOW old members continue In the occupation VI
seats To which they mad grown attached.
In the Protestant Episcopal Church OF the Holy Com
muuloI at eiX,k-ayj. and Twen,ict-st, wDiie there
were apparently seats reserved, the regular attendants
seemed usually 10 he IN the best ores There was very
iul congregation, and many people were standing.
Among these members aud regular attendants OF
the church, who evidently take their snare OF discomfort
a, well comfort. The members oi the conSreEaton
do leave strangers entirely to the seAtoI but are
very polite and attentive themselves.
calvary Chapel. in East niythird-st, was well
mani OF the congregation seemed 10 he composed Of
regular attendants, but there Was "a iaf number or
al" ho 81 wS ware ARE fs se s% SSe Of the
ushers "of course those WHO come regularly have
seats which tcy prefer. these they take II they are
puncual. but they have no ealh TO ies' ana never
hesitate to place stranseIs IN any rev %ne9 rs nOe
shirt as well as the letter.
sl-St..
treated with much courtesy by the uslers. The pew
hnld r. went directly Ia their respective pews, aud
me- r. aud non w-hO.diug members were conducted
~ s"ni In all parts OF the church. The Rev. In. Ever
sId that there is Il numOr OF pews III different OF
ne church that have not been rented aud strngers arc
h,u to them Jt the chui eli members now too
,onr 10 pny the tents Of their pcws hut they in
tlcd n come and occupy them with their children Pew
nnl, u. are giad have Strangers IN their seals
AZ tn, Cnugch - Mary the Virgin, IN West Forty
th,t the prws are Free AM strangers have the right
IN enter any them The isn"rs are very poitc, and
Inc uInDerS of tnc cObrcgaVh seem W 10 All ia tuelf
,nwrr 10 make strangers eel 1t home.
Thr seats IN 81 Abls Church, at Lexingtonave and
Enrty ycutl-si are free Ia allG the visitor IL In
fnrnod by printed placards IN the pews-" who Will be-
nave as Il in the presence OF Almighty God, remain IN
hurc IN III the OF the service and contribute. ac-
cor Ia their to the collections The reporter
yns t.y told TO take any vacant scat, and observed
number OF strangers who were similarly instructed .
Th. scatus cop tcty OF the John street Methodist
rsroal nircn ~ COR about 600 persons One-third or
tint ltnhrF were present yesterday. There are no
nsncrs and though certain seats are nabtuay used by
regular att ANTS any persons Who choose Intentionally
ar iuc,n.rluy 10 occupy them are ut perfect liberty
IN ia so The church IL far removed rom the resi-
dcncc centre OF te city that Is not sefsupporng, and
a collection Is taken at every service