Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-06-03

| in suburban dstrcts-for he has not yet ven
| tured into Boston pr per, though one would I'M
| spine he could find work enough here-hss
evoked several promises whereby the debts OF
certain parishes have been "hquidated. or prom
| ises made to that feet. But it appears to me
that these promises to pay not exactly in keep
ing with the practices of Christ while on earth.
Is the enthusiasm which has been awakened in
| Cambridge, Chelsea, and other suburban towns
IN keeping with the character of eur Master or
His laDors while among us
We are told that Christ preached to the people.
but did YOU hear that lie spoke to them
der roof which cost half million dollars, with
a tremendous mortgage hanging over it like a
pail MI. Edward kimbsil is worthy of all praise
if in his efforts TO clear the churches of debt, he
is laborisg for the Lords sake, but it is kind of
debt which never should be contracted. OF all
houses, those dedicated to the Lord should be
free.
Last Sunday Dr. Murray of Music Hall fame,
anrouced 20 his congrega tion that ne had conclud
ed to suspend services in his "church" for the
present, and practically, until he saw a better
condition of things generally. And tue able the
oogian wants and needs complete lest for
yesr to come. This announcement of the sGspen-
SION Of services was great surprise to the public
of New EuL land, but to those convetsant with
our church matters in general, and who have
learned something of their successes and failures.
il was nothing more than wa, to be expected.
The ser, ices at Music Hall have been, since their
Inauguration, conducted on the high pressure
system. Flowers and operate music seem to have
been at the bottom of all, and every sunday
programme of music to be sung by highly paid
singers was put IN each seat As the flowers have
faded, so has the enthusiasm of the people over
the New England Church.
DR.. Murray is a pract cal man, but his views
are far advanced aud do not suit many OF the peo-
pie of the present day, although fifty or even
twenty five years from now his opinions may be
the opin ions of ell, for we Advancing rapidly
in all our lgicus views and principles. The
"Maich of Progress" may demand in the next
generation that the majority of its spiritual teach
ers shall hold the opinions and preach them as
does DR.. Murray.
II i. said upon good authority that the pastor
has seen his church gradually sinking for months
past and has taken this sudden desire for years
vacation simply to let the crisis in the church come
gradually, instead Of sweeping down all at once.
In his sermon to which | have alluded, announc-
ing his determination to abandon the Music Hall
services DIR. Murray says
"My plan does not include the building of
PARISH church. Such a church would, if it were
sr.e aud prosperous, be inevitably brought in
collision with churches already 10 existence. Its
gain would he their loss. lis success would count
f,r their failure. Moreover, there are parish
ma he
tend-nOre than can easily support themselves
without great effort. Of one hundred churches
immediately in and around Boston doubt ii there
are ten of them that wll be DE TO meet the an
uual expense without extra effort. In the coun-
nv towns there are in the average two church
buildings where there should be one. In the CIT
les there are hot more churches than the popula-
uon would need, II they would atteGd them; but
there are more churches which the people will
not attend than are needed. That | might know
10 tel4tlou to every point brought TO my consider
auon, the facts OF tue case, nave had u canvass
III AIDE oil the attendance at fifteen Of our richest
aud most popular churches. The day selected
was very bright aud beautiful one. The can
yass wa. based on actual count. | will not
give the names Of the chuIcues, OF the number of
the attendance but eau assure GU that the mum
bers would as.oulsh you should l read them. 1t
| Is matter OF maIvei that 80 much moaey aad 50
much ability can, by sensible people, DC put Into
the buidng aud Iuunin. OF our churches and so
few OF the people Reached. |, therefore judge
that we have parish churches enough
The cost of maintaining the Music Hall services
during the past year, aud indeed every year since
they were started, has been upwards OF twenty
thousand dollars. OF conrse this includes the
pastors salary, and the hall rent. Unpleasant as
are the truths which Or. Murray spoke of Bos-
ton churches last Sunday he does not 90 far
enough. lie tells facts bat not all the facts. If
he had said that niue-tentbs of the church prop
erty in Boston to-day is crippled by debt, he
would have hit the mark more correctly. This |
know 10 be true; and the daily papers of this
week announce that -four of our churches have
| recently become bankrupt, and their property is
IN the marAet ior sale. II may be that these
places Of worship viii be converted into business
nouses-as WAS the old Pine Street Chuch, and
tue church Essex and C4auacy streets, ich
is now boot and shoe store. And while these
churches are wading through these trials and
tribulations relative to financial difficulties, the
churches in the suburban towns are nearly all in
a like condition. Why this mania of each re-
gious society to have a church which in grand
eur shall eclipse all others Surely God can be
worshlpped as truly and deyoutly in log cabin,
with suffered windows, as in a towering ed lfce
of stone aud m irble, the stained windows of
which throw strange colors on the faces OF the
congregation.
At most of the theatres the season ha, closed
and the houses are given up to business of light
character. Colvile's Folly Company in "Pitf.
Paf," have been at the Boston Theatre, this week
aud Eliza Weathersby's Froques in "Hobbies"
at the Globe; while the ever bright and charming
Lota is now at the end of her engagement at the
Museum, Zip" having been the attraction this
week. The Boston Theatre has had the most
| successful season. because it has dealt largely in
| the legitimate drama. presenting succession of
Shakspesres plays, and Others of high charac-
ter thereby drawing good houses throughout the
entire season. No one can fail to admire and be
elevated by Edwin Booths rendering of Shaks-
Deares plays, and Mccullough drew large houses
during his engagement. Joe Jefferson and other
brilliant "stars" have appeared at this temple OF
amusement, and drawn well; so that the season
may be set down as success financially. The
Globe has been less fortunate. Manager Stetson
has lost heavily and does not propose to Try the
same theatre another season. The Howard, which
| is variety theatre has dome fair business bn,