New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-18
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
STRANGERS IN FASHIONABLE CHURCHES
n. re. ha... 80. -

STRANGERS IN FASHIONABLE CHURCHES.
TO the Edttor of rae Trtbwas.
SIR: would hike to say word concerning
the great difficulty now In the way OF hearing the
Gospel There has already been good deal OF talk
about rented pews and free seats. to which method 10
better for the support OF church. But Just now the
question comes up the form, which is the most Chris
tian and most civil way and which the most unchrsan
and dscourteOusf Theoretically, the question can be
very easily answered by the simple inquiry ~ to what
is the object Of preachg the Gospel. aud to whom
10 be preached Is exclusively 70 the comfortable
pewholder luxuriatng in his cushioned seat waiting
with critical aud intellectual palate for his accus
toned Sundays food Or It the express command
that the Gospel should be preached TO every creature
Has the pewhoder the right to interfere IN the smallest
way TO its being go preached
There is perhaps, no very great harm In the selfish
desire for the same pew each Sunday. But when this
seAshness actually stands In the way of outside I'm
quirers being able TO hear Gods truth, 10 Is more
serious matter. 60 Sunday into one of our ele-
CANT churches and the aspect OF things Crowds OF
people pressing in at the doors the autere usher
with commanding presence. and not always polite and
pleasant 2nneF keeps the strangers crowded together
in most uuceremonious way, bidding them TO wait for
and keep out OF the way OF the pewholder Unfortu-
nately this pewhOlder is generally late Is there any
the opera or theatre, his seat reservedi
Entering OF thess churches not long ago, T. after
seat The occupants received me sracIously and offered
me 9ymEbOOk with true PStensss just at that mo
that the strangers may be seated" Flo then further
SAID that 1t their express desire. as church, 70
show perfect hospitality to all outsiders How impressed
We were by the act that We were strangers aud out
sders. Aud felt what pity that hosts and hosteess
should be put to much Inconvenience. Indeed,
could have felt differently II had made call self
invited at elegant residence and discovered. though
treated with perfect potencss, that had been some
what intrusive.
You observe that In this church oil the pews were
rented the usher took palms to inform soon as
you entered Admitting perhaps, that tue pewTenting
system only practical way Of supporting church,
the method used or seating strRngers very I'M
fair Even in worldly matters the general rule Is that
the first come the first served.
The ideal way of promoting the preaching Of the
Gospel would be for q large number OF cody ana
wealthy citizens to e0ngregate and form chureh,
getting tho pastor the strongest and best man they
could find and paying him to preach, not for their own
benefit alone but for the world large, for tho poor
for everybody. suppose such delightfully."- uDse fish
dsnerested state of things this Is not likely 70
be realized right away. But IL must come some time,
for this something after this fashion. IS the only
Christian way, STRANGER.
Brooklyn, April 10, 1880.