The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-16


h-srars for additional fayOrs from their people, Of
no hotels aud tenement houses: OF others
Who enter upen siid spcculations IN the hope OF Sc
curing sudden wealth aud squander the money OF
tn poor ucil a. that IL the Church IN their un-
ho, y~ntars~: ~ others again. who strive to raise
mooney not occasionally Tor deserving objects. but
hahitaaily. by theatrical entertainments and who
sIsnd their time Ina barrooms and greenrooms
Instead ~ among their docks. could point
cat elergymen IN this city who are frequent
fiterS 10 all street and who enter into the demon
siins excitement OF stock speeulations with all tho
Mr. are coseting OF wealth and greed OF gain the
only eyii examples by which the modern Church
RAISES up encines and undermines its stability Pull
pt SCANDALS have become as frequent as pocket pick.
ing. y common nowadays 10 discover revolving
immerA,sy beneath the sacred robes. notwithstand-
ing the fArt that many such offences meyer meet the
lsht OF day. bat are hidden and concealed.
sometlmes Tor the sake OF shielding the
be feared. becau-e the superiors OF the offending
ministers know their frailties and fear to pro-
woke exposure by the punishment OF subordinates.
This h certainly grave assertion but 1t neither
made reckiessly nor without pain. l am personally
eoenizznt OF such unfortunate cases. and might
cite one Ia particular which involves u clergyman
who recently made himself very conspicu-
GUS by thrusting himself before the pub
lie In marked manner. Charges of gross
immortality were made against this person,
rubstantated by the aihdavits OF parties OF uninl
only satisfaction dcigncd by the superior OF the &C.
cused in the church exclamation OF this i'm.
port-"why do you want 10 hound this poor fellow
to deathy' Certainly this rebuke. coming from
high church dignitary. was not encouraging to .
gentleman who IN the conscientious discharge Of his
duty Christian impelled to bring
to the notice Of the Church the immortality
of minister to whom In intrusted tho
responsibility the religious training and guidance
Of young people. Tho poor fellow remains unds-
turbed In his calling u this day. and action has
been taken ON the charges brought against him on
the plea that expose would scandaize the Church.
As II Church could bear any deeper dis
graceful scandal than attaches 10 the conformation Of
gross immortality the part of one of its minister's
at whose feet young knees bent to cnghten-
ment and guidance in their religious duties
their ministcrsY Let those who may believe that /
am look 1T the condition OF the Episcopal church.
corrupted and enervated by its immense wealth
sits nursing its oiisprings OF sefindulgence and 10
contcnted to doze away the hour. in an easy chair
and make no sign. Let them look ut the Cath.
Ole Church. torn by rebellion against
some Of its most important dogmas; Al
the prssbytsriaI Church divided BY petty
almost broken TO pieces by the rivalros OF book
Germs aud wranges over the sin OF dancing; ut the
scented many OF tho features OF oid-fashioned
Tammany primary. except that the violent and un-
erond members did not lead to actual personal VIC.
lence-to discoored eyes, bleeding noses and broken
Baptist heads. Let them look. too. at the late
element the extortion of admission fees to
hear and ut the series OF silly and imperti-
nent letters from iaymen and clergymen exhibiting
very little OF the old Catholic spirit of charity toer
ance consideration OF the poor and anxiety tho
salvation of souls Am severe unjust Oh the
clergy whose shortcomings have pointed out ? Let
those who disposed to condemn me recall the dis
gusting details OF the great Brooklyn scandal; tho
many similar disgraceful exposures in this city tho
seductions. intrgues. alleged murders and at.
tempts at murder that have cast infamy
many pulpits in other States; the many outrages
gon here and abroad and that call to Heaven for VEN
gance. Let any truthful man say whether. in view
Of all these disclosures involving the religious teach
ers and guides OF the people it IL to be wondered ~
that rreligion and Indifference prevail in all the
churches among the people themselves.
address this letter to the HERALD with regret, yet
i j
have no desire to injure or even to wound any ono
by blind charges or insinuations state only facts
that must be within the knowledge of all who OBJ
the movements in the religious world Of the
present day: TRUST am not unchartable-! know
that religion Is dying out. I scout the
absurd idea that enlarged intelligence and
enlightenment are the enemies OF religious faith.
insist that the better the human mind is enabled to
grasp the never ceasing wonders OF science and TO
appreciate the mighty forces that the Creator has
placed within the reach of man. tho more clearly will
It receive the conviction Of the existence OF .
perior and benehcent power. and the moro
immortal soul 1 regard the very restisss-
ness now apparent in the churches OF all
of the people thirst tor pure and true religions
religion that is the embodiment OF Christian love
and charity; for . religion that speaks ~ Our
Saviour spoke to the heart, and that labors ~ our
Saviour abored among the poor. the outcast and the
lowly. As listen to the warnings uttered from the
pupits against innovations" and seeking after
raise gods cannot help asking myself whether
the innovations not the work Of those who have
chosen to make religion exclusive privilege for
the rich-whether the false gods are not extrsva-
gance display, fashion, improvidence. lust after
wealth and loose morality and whether these found
within the Church, not the true causes Of
the antagonism that has arisen between min.
listers and congregations The Rock upon which
the Church is founded IL the embodiment
Of gentleness love. humility and charity. When .
church abandons these its safety is gone. for tho
Rock no longer supports it. church cannot long
exist by superstition. discipline or fashion.
the lives of their ministers win the love.
respect and confidence Of their followers.
and shall hear less than hear about church
dissensons and about restless longing for new
departure and new lights III religion OH the part OF
the people. What Is needed is publication
neutrality-suspicious. within the churches. Re
form yourselves ye ministers OF God. II you would
reform and redeem others. Humble your hearts;
give up riches. ambition and worldly passions; show
to your hocks the example OF true humility. picty
and unselfsh devotion to the cause Of Christ. Then
the people will become once more obedient. docilo
and truly Christian. And ye high dignitaries who
control the administration or the churches.
their ministers and congregations. remember the
sacred trust, placed through the Almighty in your
hands, and shrink no longer from doing your duty.
Search through secret commissions into the lives
and dongs of all those to whom the sacred care OF
souls Is ntrusted. Scourge from the sanctuary all
unfaithful and unclean servants. Where filth and
immortality found do not throw over them tho
cloak your high authority for the sake Of hiding
scandal, but purify the temple and all its approaches
'Ceanse first that which is within the cup and plat
ter that the outside of them may be clean Also"
AN OLD-FASIuONED CHRISTIAN.