New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-16
IN THE CHURCH PORCH.
TIE JEWs-RENTED PEwS-FUNERAL RE.
FORM

FORM.
Nv rooa friend the editor OF " The Jewish Mcssen-
gero appears to believe that fail 10 recognize any
Jews in the Church Porch and he reminds me that In
appealing for contributions for the sanarum a: Lake
saranac only addressed those who profess and call
themselves Christians II By this phrase seemed
TO Ignore the Jews assure him tha' u was q'hs
unlntcntionaL As a matter of fact happen 10 kno"
that many Jews have already controuten most I'D
| orally to this as we'll as other hes~v-
lnc Christian charities And they Will
doubtless continue TO do so In spite OF ms
race and religious prejudice that 100 oi'eh uon'o.e'
both Jew ard Gentle. I little amused ~ ooins
accused Of ignoring Jewish cOrclgions's, a. !"
not so long since received a fiery misslve from an
earnest Christian, with more zeal than dscreuon'
taking inc 70 task for venurng to good word iof
the Hebrew and his religion. As matter OF TACT,
recognize tho Jew a. being not only IN the churca
porch, but pretty well up IN the sanctuary. For tbs
moral teaching Of Christianity in rs essence derives
from the moral law Of this wonderful people
OF course there IS among average Christians great
deal Of prejudice against the venerable religion out o.
which Christianity sprang. This IS not at all 70
markable when remember the amount OF prejudice
which Christian sects display toward each other
But we can all sec that in this country least this
an-Jewsh prejudice IS growing less fierce every year.
American Christians, and, am glad TO add American
Jews becoming more charitable more tolerant,
and cosmopolitan. They are beginning 20 b
aSnaHcI OF inc Oh lfldIlOnd Icul ia, ~
many pages OF Christian history with Jewish blood.
They each learning respect the conscientious be-
HE'S OF the other and TO recognize the value OF the
religion and morality which they hold In common In
their theological creeds they differ and will doubtless
continue to differ but OUTSIDE of that there IS wids
field where they meet, and do meet, on common
ground. II not only Christian, but Jew, We
must remember who gave 10 humanity that nobls
and comprehensive definition OF religion. " Pure re-
gion and indebted before God and the Father Is this
visit the fstheress and widows in their affection
and TO keep himself unspOtted from the world And
around that great declaration both Jew aud Gentle
may well live In amity and true fellowship.
Lord Beaconsfelds clever epigram that one-hah Of
the Christian world worsh'ps Jew while the Other
half wolships Jewess, though not 10 be taken ser-
ously IS nevertheless suggestive Of the debt which
Christianity to Judaism. From the cradle to
the grave the carefully instructed Christian IS saturated
with Jewish thought, Jewish laws Jewish history and
Jewish views of religion and morality. Jewish
WORTHLESS held up before him patterns and ex-
cmpiars in life and conduct Jewish poetry, exquisite
In its tenderness and religious fervor IS sung in his
church. and the sacred scriptures Of the Jew taught
70 him as the nfallible Word Of God. Many OF the
greatest worthless in the Christian Church notably
the Purans-lved in the atmosphere Of Hebrew ltera-
urc and religion. Indeed the great aim Of the Msssa
chusetts Purans was TO establish thcocracy which
would have been almost an exact counterpart Of tho
Jewish theocracy Of the Mosaic dlspensation. Even
to-day Scottish Presbyteranl.m derives some Of its
most characteristic features from the religion and
polly OF the Old Testament In the opinion OF many
TO ritual OF ne Church was largely modelled
a. IL s,rnngas % IN Eninen,l chunp
for TIN. efod order Of the ministry ! that there was
threefod ministry IN the Aaronc dispensation. 80
that when Christian i III advised As 10 az the
Jewish religion, ne Is sneerng az religion which has
given to his own some VI its best and noblest elements
The question o, rented rews continues 10 vex tho
churches various ways But although much has been
a.,
that the free church system has made any great prog
This system doubtless represents higher type
Of Christianity but # involves certain personal
fees which average church goers not willing TO
make. II also involves degree Of social equality
which with few notable exceptions ends practi-
cal recognition in the average Christianity Of the day
But the defenders Of rented pews acknowledge
the evils incident to that system. In wealthy city
churches 1t may and sometimes does operate harshly
against transient worshppers. 1t gives many peopls
an excuse TO stay away from church II accentuaies
the lines Of and social demarcation which ought
10 have place in an ideal Christian society and 10
tends 10 make churches proprietary clubs for the sols
use and enjoyment Of those who able 10 pay the
necessary dues. instead of houses OF worship for all
people. There are churches in this cfy where there
is literally no seat for the families OF the assistant
ministers, who must take their place with the standing
hrOng Of strangers and wait their chance for stray
scar. system like this introduces cold business
atmos sphere into the church which not even a high
pINcl CuOT anu i'll IucHt preacher can ulSslpdte
Many simple thrstian-nCt the Colonel tenOws
brand, howeyer-has been wounded and repealed by
the operation Of this system and has been driven
TO doubt the reality of modern Christianity Never
thcess II must be admitted that under the pew system.
or. perhaps, in spite of IT, American Christianity has
grown vigorous and strong. Missionaries
ySc appeal . vain TO the o CHURCHES hes
claims of their brethren in Christ. But then II Is
often easier 10 acknowledge the claims OF brother
thousand miles away than the claims Of concrete
brother around the corner. For IT involves no avk-
wand social complications.