The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-23
THE EXPERIENCE OF RICHMOND LADY.
RICHMOND, Va, Jan. 20, 1879.

RICHMOND. Va, Jan. 90 1879.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HRRALD:--
My attention has been attracted by some recent
letters in your columns in to the sale of
seats in Catholic churches in your city. wish TO
make statement of my experience. and feel salts
lied that every person of any Judgment will agree
with me that the money changers should be driven
out Of the temples. if not by Lord HIMSELF ut
least by those in high places who have been chosen to
represent Him. I resident of the South but
have been in the habit of spending months of
the year in New York. Ten years ago this winter
was spending some time in Harlem. and attended
mass in church at that time under one
Father Eugene Mcguire 1t was. I think, in
117th street. but I havo to trust my men,
.ory and do not feed certain OF the exact street.
AS was about to enter this church a middle aged
man touched me on the shoulder and demanded fec
OF ten cents. in tone which had had used to
me before. However, paid it and passed in This
Father Mcguire. before the sermon. read letter
from.the Archbishop forbidding any Catholic priest
To allow persons entering the church to be asked for
money. The following sunday. confident OF the new
rule being observed. l presented myself without
enough money to pay the admission fee. The door
keeper refused to allow me to enter: and, my
threatening to report him to the Archbishop. in
dulged in the most abusive language, in a loud tone
in the church. to me. lady Ny astonishmcnt ut
being asked for money at the church doors knew
bounds ut FIRST and, feeling sure that there must be
some exceptions to this rule, made IL point
tend . different church every sunday, to give
the matter q thorough investigation. I visited
tho poorest parishes and tho richest. aud
found, among about thirty churches. only three
in which money was not demanded at the entrance
by men whose faces, manners and tones TO the poor
were simply brutal, and to the rich crnging and OBJ
sequious. Attired simply and yelled. have stood
silent spectator ut the door OF many u church and
watched the congregation pass in. Poor pale people
from crowded tenement houses dropped their hard
earned money on the plate OF the watcnfu CerDcrus.
have seen young, delicate girl insulted because
her money was one cent short. followed her
during the holy sacrifice L felt sure thnt
they called to Heaven for vengeance upon
the money changers. On one occasion, at u church
on or near Ninth avenue aud Ihirtysecond street, I
heard poor old Irish woman plead piteously for
permission to hear mass at eight O'Clock. The door
keeper answered in the harshest manner that she
could only enter by paying TING accustomed fee.
Alas she had 1t not. and she turned sadly away. I
resolved to test how far the would be carried
demanded All entrance III ag,ntle but firm tone,
was told that could enter provided "a LADY, were
LEFT and went to the French church in
without word. This occurred in July. 1876 About
the time knew family who. in my native
country had been good S.,noies les and never missed
the direst poverty. and they told me. among their
other Affections that they had never attended
in New York. having been unable to find q church
where they would he admitted al any mass without
money. ] told them OF the three had discovered
viz The French church, Twenty third street; tho
German church. Thirty second street. and church
in sixteenth street. which. believe, belongs to the
Josuts. There are have heard. few Others but
had not time to visit the entire city But tried
every mass, and 1 found tho case the same
In the great majority OF the churches
money, and II not tho aud doorkccpers who
blame alone. for have heard the priests say
from the pulpit that the people must pay for the
seats. They say that It IL necessary to have the
money ~ dcfray the expenses of the Church; but
the Catholic Church hourishod In the catacoinbs OF
home. aud priests said under the trees In Ire
land when price upon their heads, and still tho
Church dourished. And In the nineteenth
fury the poor OF New York sometimes not al
lowed standing room even In their fine churches
An Catholic l fool that have been silent too long
upon this subject i appeal to those who will one
day have to render an account OF their steward
ships as bishops and archbshops to take this
matter In hand and to apply and enforce the
sary remedies Christ said that Ills Church should
be recognized by certain works and one these was
that the poor should have the Gospel preached to
them. But the poor OF New York not allowed to
enter His house without paying for IT, and then they
hear not the Gospel much endless demand
for money. All the denias which be written In
RESPONSE TO this will not alter the facts which have
related. know whereof speak and have no motive
but tho good OF our Holy Church and religion aud
the benefit OF the poor Look to Il, ye whom our
Lord has commanded to feed His hocks and His
sheep and who, instead. arc allowing tho wolves to
plumber them. SIBYL.
DEADHEAptNo EVEN TO HEAVEN