, 1879-02-23

THEm ORIGIN AND IT'S CAUsE-wHEN THEY
CANE IETO GENERAL USE.
.Tho1nus J. Ha1cdffc1 IN the Troy Times,
Pews we're first placed In English churches By
the Norman notles, but it is certain that for
many generations these private boxes for public
worship were neither numerous nor allowed to
persons OF inferior grade or gentility. Former
IL the people sat on rude, three-legged stools
placed dispersedlv all over the church. The
next introduction was benches or wooden seats.
Even to the close Of the Planragcnet period
Christians Of all degrees, with few exceptions,
were content to be equal in the house OF God SO
far as seats were concerned.
Mirk,s INSTRUCTIONS for Parish Priests :"
makes no mention of pews, and enjons the
laity ghen Ia church to remain on their knees
and abstain from leaning against pillars and
walls: but the Book OF Nature" BY Russell,
s'su1n TYNE wythe Duke Umircy of G'ouccster,
a work like the " Ins nstrucrions," which was pub
lishcd in the first half Of the fifteenth century.
directs the chamberlain Of great man to take
due care Tor the arrangement OF his patrons
pew:
Prince prelatc If he be, or any other potentate'
Ere he enter into church. be it early or late.
Perceive all thyuges for his pew, that 1t De ms 90
preparate;
Both cushion, carpet, and curtain, oeaos 3uu
Az the commencement of the seventeenth
century pews had become comparatively COM
mon, for in 1911 the following 1udicrous entry,
showing that peWs were even then bal2eo: Is ~
be found in St. h1argaret's Church accounts: !:
"ltcm, paid to Goodwyfe Wells for salt to oe. =.
stroy the aeas in the church-warden's pew. 6d."
The seventeenth century, which witnessed SO
many changes in ecclesiastical matters, saw news
come into such vogue that moalsh person
would have as soon gone to chnrcn "ltnout us
proper garniturc OF poiut-lace as have sat out
service on tue oid-fashioned stool or more mod
crn bench.
At Cnalderton, England. is q pew six feet
high, with glass windows in the door to enable
the occupants to see the preacher, and other
windows in the side TO enable them to survey
the congregation. At Merstham and hlckle-
ham. Surry, were pews raised scme feet above
the level OF tine damp floor, comfortably fitted
and possessing a Fireplace and table, By no
means uncommon examples. Such we're the
pews which caused Corbet, Bishop Of Norwich,
to cxclaitn:.
Estate pews have now become tabernacles
with rings and curtains to them. There wants
nothing but beds TO hear the word OF God on:
ne have easements, locks and keys, and cusll,
ions; had almost said bolster and pillows; aud
for these we love the church. rill not guess
what is done within them-who sits, stands, or
lies asleep at the prayers, communion, etc, but
this I dare say, they are either to hide some
vice or to proclaim one: to hide disorder or to
proclaim pride"
In Little Birmingham Church, Norfolk, pew
WIS erected by u shepherd in the nave to afford
accommodation for strangers and wedding par
ties. 1t bears at the southwest angle skele-
ton CARED in wood (Which probably was not
thought by the occupants particularly cheerful
or appropriately With the inscription:
For Couplcs Joined in Wcdlock: and my Friend.
That Stranger is; This Seate d1o intendc.
int {builts) at the cost and Charge OF Stephen
Crossbee.
Xii you tt,et doe this place pass by. "
Ar YOU arc nowc, even go NEs /;
Remember Death, !or you musr dye.
and as am, zoe shall you bee:
<A'1 1~ ammo Domini 1910.
In the reign Of Queen Anne Sir Christopher