Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-02-28
selefted Misfellang,
MAMMON IN THE PEW.

A learned bishop, in commenting re.
Gently upon the change that has taken
place in the relations between the Chris.
tian Church and the world, remarked
that Mammon now rents pew and
helps to conduct the establishment. Il
would be an interesting experiment il
some one would take the book of the
Acts of the Apostles, and try, just for
amusement, to imagine how the narra-
tive would have read if it had been
written as a record of the movements
Of the Church and the Church people
nearly two thousand years later. The
contrast between the condition of things
when Mammon was prosecuting the
Church and when Mammon is holding q
pew and helping to pay for the choir,
would, perhaps, be rather startling -
Even more interesting would be an at
tempt to conceive the present condition
of things as existing in the Apostolic
age. Suppose, for example, that such q
record should contain information like
the following: Peter went to Joppa to
carry the gospel to Cornelius, but upon
arriving at his destination he discovered
that he had accidentally left all his SER
mons behind him at Jerusalem, and as
he did not know how to speak extern
poraneously he was obliged to postpone
the intended Sunday service until he
could send and fetch bis manuscripts
The brother Of Onesimus came to hear
Paul preach, but as be was a person of
very humble birth and all the pews upon
the ground floor were rented by wealthy
people, he was shown to back seat 10
the gallery. The church edifice at An
tioch cost 1875, 900; two-thirds Of which
remained as mortgage upon the build
ing. The brethren strove earnestly to
reduce the debt, and with this intent
they held fair, at which pin-cushions
and ice-cream' were sold, and during
which there was much excitement over
a rattle for a cake. The gold-headed
cane that was offered to whichever clergy
man obtained the greatest number of
votes was awarded to Paul, who had 381
votes. while only 270 were given to
Peter, and Ill scattering. The attempt
to raise the money having, however.
failed, the edifce was sold by the sheriff,
and was purchased by a Roman, who
fitted it up for a circus. Apollos hav-
ing been attacked with a light form of
bronchitis. went to Melita for the benefit
of bis health, and the church TO which
he ministered was closed all summer,
repairs being conducted in the interval
Philip having for many years performed
pastoral duties faithfully in n parish Of
Ethiopia, number of members Of the
congregation grew tired of him, and
they cut down bis salary to get rid of
him. When he resigned younger man
was called. and as nobody extended
call To Philip be was admitted TO the
Home for Decayed Clergymen, where
he ended his days. Paul preached at
Corinth with power and fervor, and the
conclusion Of his sermon he asked that
a hymn should be sung. It was given
in artistic manner by the chor. the solos
for the soprano and the alto being un-
usually brilliant. while Paul was espe-
cially pleased with the extraordinary
lefthand playing Of the organist during
the performance Of the ford accompani-
ment. A Gentle from Alexandria. who
attempted TO sing, was asked by the sex
ton not TO inturrupt the music. When
Paul visited Epbesus he was entertained
by Alexander the Coppersmith, who,
although not believer, held pew in
the middle aisle Of the church, belonged
10 the vestry, and contributed so liber-
ally To church objects that he was more
highly regarded than any Of the converts