The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-31
RICH cHuRCH-GOERs.
New York MilliOnaires and Their Pew
Wealthy Female Practitioners.

New York MilliOnaires and Their Pews
Wealthy Female Parishioners.
New York Letter to Troy Times.
William H. Vanderbilt pays $500 vear for a
pew in St Bartholomew Church, but this does
not imply regular attendance The Astors are
also Episcopalians and attend Trinity Chapel,
which is an uptown branch of Trinity Church
John Jacob, ST., is member of Trinity corpo-
ration which is the highest honor this church
can confer on layman. The Ciscos
are In the same church communion. and the
founder of the house was also member of
Trinity corporation. Russell Sage calls him
self Presbyterian and attends John IL. Fax
tors church, which by the way contains a
number of rich families. Horace B. Clafin is
one of Beechers best supporters but does not
pay as heavy pew-rent as in former days.
CYRUS W. Field, and all that family are supposed
to hold to oldfashioned orthodoxy, of which
their father was preacher, but their residence
in this city has not strengthened the religious
character of the family. The Harpers are fash
ionable Methodists, and so was Daniel Drew, who
was liberal contributor until he got cleaned
cut, and then his broken promises led to great
disappointments. Jay Gould's folks are also of
time to waste in church-goin He showed his
idea of improving the Sabbath by calling on
William III. Vanderbilt one Sunday evening to
arrange for mutual cooperation in the Western
Union movement Gen. Grant WAS one of New
mans pillars, and his illness has been a serious
injury to that disappointed pastor.
Mrs Commodore Vanderbilt attends the
church of the Strangers, whose pastor (Deemsl
owes his present independent position to her
patronage. She was the means of his acquan-
lance with the Commodore, who bequeathed him
$40 900 in cash and also the life of the church
in which he now breaches Mrs. E. D. Morgan is
member or the Brick Church (Presbyterian)
in which her husband was for some years the
chief pillar. Mrs A I. Stewart is member of
st. Marks (Episcopal) Church, where her three
children are buried. Her husbands remains
were stolen from the same vault nine years ago
and have never been recovered A sarcOphagus,
however, OF great beatty and cost, has been placed
II the Stewart Memorial Church at Hampstead
for the merchant prince, and it is small matter
whether his bones are there or note Mrs.
Stewart will eventually be buried in the same
place with similar honors. Miss Kitty Wolfe,
who is also immensely rich, and liberal to a cor
responding degree, is q member of Grace
an unstinted manner
Miss Harriet Lenox is member of the Pres
byterian Church, of which her father was an
elder and her brother James trustee. She is
the sole legatee of the estate and keeps up her
brothers method of silent and hidden charity.
Mrs. Robert L. Stuart is also a Presbyterian,
her pastor being the eloquent John Hall, who
has the richest congregation in America. Mrs.
Stuart inherited, without restriction. the entire
wealth accumulated by her husband and his
brother Alexander, and hence it IS expected that
she will make some very liberal requests.
While mentioning these names as noted for
wealth, would caution the reader against max
ing any solicitations through the mail. The
rich people of this city are constantly pestered
with begging letters, which are only waste of
paper and postage. People of wealth do not
lack for opportunities of benefcence, and they
generally prefer their own methods. These
rich ladies have experienced and judicious man
ayers to assist in charities well in business
matters, and this class pay but little attention
to begging lettera