Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-07-11
LONG JOHN WENTWORTH.
Some of His Sensible Views on the
Multiplicity Of Churches.

Chicago Inter Ocean.
Mr.. Long John Wentworth was in
terviewed yesterday about the reports
that his favorite minister, Professor
Swing, might be called to Unity
Church, to succeed Robert Collyer.
The primitive Ohicagoan smiled
broadly, as is his wont when approach
able, and answered very freely so un-
reserved, in fact, that his remarks may
be taken as a condensed treatise on
what he knows and believes about
religion.
No" he said, when the particular
subject Of inquiry was brought up
Il don't think Swing would accept
any such call if offered. | don't
think Swing would consent to tie
himself to any particular denomina.
ton or creed. Why not? Because he
would not submit to be dictated to by
any convention that would have the
privilege of making laws and creeds."
lie wants to make them him
self?"
" Yes. That is he wants everybody
to make his own faith and prove it by
his works.
In that particular, you go with
him, don't you?"
" am a regular evangelical. 1 be-
lieve In a hell, straight-Out, and in fu-
ture punishment. And | believe in
rewards straight-out.'
Do you believe in hell with fire in
mo, of course l DON'T
What kind of a hell ?"
" | never found anybody that could
define it. (Laughing.) But | tell YOU
this Inever found any kind of relig.
ION in this world that was not better
than no religion at all, and | never
knew so poor preaching but that | was
better for the droppings of the sanctu-
airy than if | had stayed at home. All
my life, young man, I've gone to church
twice on Sunday; that's an average (;
sometimes I've gone three times, but
not lately. Now, that's about the way
| stand
Continuing his pious disquisltlon
Long John said 1.-THE multiplication
of churches is getting to be a great
expense to the public at large, and the
result is going to be that a large pro-
portion will be starved out. In many
small towns you see eigbt or ten half
starved clergymen and half Supported
churches whereas, if they would all
unite in a reasonable and s%criptural
fellowship, they could support one or
Two frst-class ministers"
Here's the idea,p he proceeded
Immediately. "See In this city of
Chicago there are several hundreds of
men who are educated for the minis
try meet them almost every day.
In early life they would make up their
iRipds what they would be-of what
denomination they wAgld be-and then
they would go to a theological SEMI
nary and learn how to defend the
belief which they had espoused before
they had any education. And for this
we are taxed Striking the desk with
emphssisl, that they may come out,
shOtted up to the mugsle, and launch
polemics at each other from opposing
pulpits. The one great cause of the
multiplicity of denominations is the
Wpltitude Of preachers and the in
ability o. different men to get situa-
tioDs. Consequently, ia improve
their chances, they start of With a
creed Of their own, And then they
want . college then they want a the
oiogieal SEMINARY, and they want cid
ers and deacohs, or bisbGpg and yes
tries, and there being no chance 70
get prominence among existing relig-
icps denominations, they start out and
make new oaeg inst for that purpose,
And the piper has COZ 70 be raid
somebody has got TO nut bis hand ip
bis POCKET and foot the bill"
For all which condition Of things
what would you propose as ! remedy
For the people to withhold sup
plies from any religious denomination
that opposes any other.
You would have TO starve them
all out, wouldn't you y
Yes starve them all into unity
and charity"