New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-12
LIE pERLLS or CRURCH FAIRS.

n has long been the custom of the worldly 10
make fun of the artless expedents resofted 10 lor
the purpose of raising funds at church lalrs' Noh0
but tbose vino have tried it, however, know how
dHcuIt If is TO conduct these entertainments at the
same time decorousy and successfully. II INC
omusements provided are too simple, they IAN 10
loosen the purse-strngs of the Visltols' III 10
necessary TO infuse into them certain secular III
tot o,d snice in order TO tempt the unregcncrate.
In doing this lies the danger. II the rahe5 anu o'-
ferries and ballotings are managed as to enlist INC
active sympathies of tie caInal-minded, they arc
ort 70 throw themselves into the business win an
energy analogous TO that with which they run poll
tlcs. and then stormy passions arc haole 10 rlSe'
and 1npeasant results-eyen scandaious Seehc'-
may follow Nor is it always safe Tor inc innocent
church members to apply secular methods III tlcF
own guileess way and this the Methodist EpIsoo-
nal Church OF south Orange, n. j., now reaI"eS
sorrowfuIly.
At a fair held by that church it was resoiVeu 10
mt M basket of wax flowers to be preSeiilou "
the most popular lady" the selection to DE mace
by ballot. The usual political metuOd WIS NV"
over not followed. Perhaps il was Thought too
suggestive of ungcncrous mistrust Inc Sohe"h"U
singular plan was adopted OF permitting one oil inc
candidates TO superintend the balotng. The result
of tbis novel experiment would certainly not nave
surprised che most hardened politician, though
under the circumstances it seems to have produceu
considerable excitement. The lady VINO supervisor
tbc balloting was found to have been elected by
large majority; whelcupon charges were maze Oh
behalf OF the defeated candidate TO the eHcct V''
one man had DEPOSITED 100 votes for her while SIX
other persons had deposited 30 votes AS only -!
votes in all were counted and as tho successful
candidate received los Of these there would seem
IN be annie opportunity for explanation ASSUMING
fine truth of the statements made. The conditions
undor which one person cOuld cast 100 votes, how
ever. must have been peculiar, and repeater 10
that xtcnt might be thought open to the mputa-
ton of offensive rarti>anshIn.
The friends of the victor now aver that they will
have an investigation, and Will ascertain now one
man could have east 100 votes and altogether the
harmony and sweet accord OF that church have been
blasted and wthcrcd. and a iactional pTit has
srcpoclel which bodies i'll for the future. S"ch
have been tic calamtous results Of q perfectly well
meant ,nGcavor TO temper the acridity of secular
100, .ical methods for church fair use, by too IN
gfuuou, admiXturc of repeating. such too. 10 the
effect Of substituting for tie ordinary prizes oi
ro,itiral maupuyrc, the exciting and stimulating
reward of lovely WOmau's grateful SMILES. III Is
only too apparent that the incentive q acton mus
furnished was uncoutrollab.c and that instead oil
hr.f-.ue about 70 rruty-nodulatcd election such rs
would have cumportcd with tAc place AMI Object.
Il cyclonir e;Iu1-io was erccudcred when
caused them 10 imTrrl the FAIR fame o. the
church by linking it. uawc with one OF the most
4 r, and roe less eases of hailot-hoI -tuiiiug on
record. 1t US hope that tais sid event VIII Doe n
uifning and cxampl. 10 all other church far man
ayers. and that it will teach them tie danger oi
pI.vius with political machinery. even when the
game may appear absolutely harmless.