National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-04-25
NATIONAL SYNAGOGUE.
A Question Now Agifafed-SOme Remarks
About National Churches.

About National Churches.
The idea of having a national church at
the Capital of the country has always been favor
lite one with the various religious denominations
throughout the country. The idea is by no means
an inappropriate one, as here, more than any
where else, large number make their temporary
home and there should be some provision made
for their enjoyment of the same religious priyi-
leges which they have at their own homes Be
sides, there is another reason which has more or
less weight, and that is the pardonable pride
which each denomination has to make
RESPECTABLE SHOWING
in the character of the church edifce which repre-
SCENTS them at the National Capital. This matter
has been discussed in the various church organs
for years, and at times efforts have been made to
carry the idea into practical effect. The great diff
iculty has been to arouse sufficient interest TO in
duce people to contribute to the erection of the
church edifce, but, as they would only be bene-
flied indirectly the appeals for funds have not met
with very hearty or general response. The
Methodists were the first denomination that sue
ceeded in carrying this idea into practical effect
by the erection of
THE METROPOLITAN CHURCH.
sufficient amount was subscribed throughout the
country to begin the erection of the church edifce
and reliance was placed upon the congregation
that would be gathered in the new church 10 pay
and the debt remained upon the church edifce
until quite recently, when a new effert was
made, and the balance of the debt
was wiped out by contributions from the Methodist
churches throughout the country. While the
members ofthis congregation have contributed gen
erously to the payment of the debt, still the his
tory of their church proves conclusively that the
people for whom it was built could not be de-
pended upon for pecuniary support. The next
church edice of this character erected here is the
beautiful structure occupied by
THE UNITARIAN SOCIETY.
This was built by the contributions of similar So
cieties throughout the country, well the resi-
dent members, and it was paid for when dedi-
Gated. The society has continued in prosperous
condition, and in this instance the pTacticability
OF the national church idea has been demonstrated
The edlfice occupied by the Congregational So
ciety was mainly built by contributions throughout
country, and while it still labors under large
debt, the experiment is considered a success.
With these exceptions no other denomination has
erected church here Recently movement mas
been let on foot to build Christian Church here
and subscriptions are now being made with ia
vorable prospect that it will be accomplished.
During the past week statements have appeared
in the religious press 10 the effect that the Jews
throughout the country proposed to erect
A NATIONAL SYNAGOGUE
here which would be credit to the sect and pro-
vide suitable accommodations for the increasing
numbers of the adheTents of that faith. Inquiry
among the prominent Jews last evening failed to
elicit any definite information confirmatory of
their statement. There was no one that seemed to
know anything of such a scheme, and all were
quite positive that there was no action of this
kind contemplated by their denomination. Meet
ing Mr. A. s. Solomon, the reporter asked whether
he knew anything of the matter. He laughed and
said:
THAT is merely an old question revamped
Some seven or eight years ago l advocated the
erection of national synagogue here in the Jewish
papers very vigorously, but the idea did not take.
There was no interest manifested, and so the mat
ter was dropped"
Then you think there is no reliable foundation
for the statement"
- None that have heard of. The Jews through
out the country show interest in the matter and
the people here have their own churches to take
care of"
"DO you think that the idea is a good one?'
al did at one time, but am inclined to believe
that it could not be successfully carried out, and
so it had better not be attempted