The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-11-07


trustees of the corporation 1t is an
entirely irresponsible statement, and
rs such should not have circulation in
the press.
As such paragraphs are often seen in
circulation, it is well to notice this one
as sample; and if you will kindly al |
low me space to correct the impression
it was calculated to make, / shall be |
very grateful. I am sure that the full |
meaning of the paragraph was not APP
parent to you in hasty reading, or it |
would not have been copied.
The statement contained in the last
sentence is particularly reprehensible.
While, indeed, it is not said that the
trustees all get rich" from their trus-
teeship, such is manifestly the mean
ing; and therefore it is SANDER upon
some of the most honorable business
men of New York, such as Governor
NJ. Ogden, the late Gen. John A. Dix,
and many others. whose reputation is
above suspicion. I venture TO say
that the author of the statement would
not dare to append his name to it.
Doubtless Trinity Church lends
money to other parishes which are in
need. How could it do so without
!; taking mortgages as security? Would
trustees of such vast property be
justified in lending without such Sc
curity? 1t is not an uncommon thing
| for church in danger of being sold to
borrow money on mortgage. Where
could they borrow more safely than
from a sister parish? knowing that
| If the mortgage were ever foreclosed
the property would be unalienated
from its original purpose. No one
has ever heard of poor parish being
sold out by Trinity Church.
When the writer says that they never
| give money away or handle 1t on
benevolent gospel principles, he knows
not whereof he talks, and lays himself
open to the suspicion that he has tried
to borrow there on insufficient security.
He evidently supposed that the trus-
tees being "pious" could and would
loan money which was not their own
on poor security. Let US be thankful
that in these days there is at least one
honest corporation.
/ Now, the facts in the case are as fol-
| lows: Trinity church, New York, has
an income from its endOwments of
about 100000 per annum. Upon all
of its property, except churches, GENE.
teries and charitable institutions, it
pays taxes at the same rate that other
property holders do. From the re-
mainder of it's income it supports en-
tGTely Se0e12 churches and chapels of its
Town, viz, the Mother church, at the
head of Wall street; st. Paul's, corner
, Broadway and Vesey street; st. Johns,
Varick street; Trinity Chapel, 10Th
street; st. Chrysostom's and st. Au-
gustine's Missions, and st. Cornelius
chapel, on Governors Island. All of
these Except the LAST have various
day and night schools; dispensaries,
creches, etc., besides the general parish
: charities of hospitals, infirmaries, or
: phanages, cemeteries, etc. All of
these, together with the staff of seven
. teen clergy, the various organists and
choirs, choir schools, and all the COM
pick machinery of the parish, will use
| up a large part Of the income Then
as to benevolence: 1t is the rule of the
r parish to gioe GWay, outside of its own
bounds, to churches and institutions
over which it exercises no control
9 whatever, $4,000 a year. II "lays
3 lup'' not one dollar of it's income
: The income in wealth from year to
Eyear, if there is such, arises solely from
the increase in the value of properly,
: and is all spent in increased charities.
8 If this is not handling the revenue on
benevolent gospel principles" it would
: become the critic to state what would
: be. No one has ever got rich from
d it. None of the clergy have any thing
d like the incomes of men of the same
ability in other professions-non has
: sach a "salary" as Mr.. Beecher re
= ceives. 1t is not place for drones, OF
e for elegant leisure. Every priest ani
i deacon is hard worker. The long an(
short of it is, that Trinity is a vas
benevolent and charitable organiza
9 ton. Every dollar of its income j.
/ expended in works OF charity. N,
d other organization maintains religion:
) services free to all in the lower part
: Of the city, in the slums and in the dis
2 tricts given up to business. Its j" Mis-
d sion Chapels' are not cheap affairs, blu
o elegant and costly churches, full
+ equipped with schools and other char
ties for the poor. In fact, the parisl
carries out the command of the Maste
9. and initiates Him in His work O
y preaching the gospel to the poor AM
o healing their souls and bodies, as n
: other organization in that great cit
can do.
n Thanking you for the space you hav
t. given me, am
p Faithfully Yours,
S. J. FRENCH.