Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-22
RELIGIOUS CLUBS.
Some Opinions of the Method of Renting
Church Pews.

New York Correspondence Philadelphia Ledser
This being the time for the annual pew rent
ings, the question of free seats Vs. rented pews
is again up for debate. The almost universal
practice among the churches in this city and
Brooklyn is to rent the pews at a fixed valua-
ton, and this practice is not confined to one
denomination, but is adopted by all the sects
as the easiest and best method OF providing for
the comfort Of regular attendants and of meet
ing the church expenses. There are, however,
several exceptions to the rule, among the most
notable beingSt. Georges Episcopal church,
of which the Rev. DIR. Rainsford is the vigorous
rector.
In Brooklyn DIR. Talmage's tabernacle was
formerly conducted on the free-seat plan. but
within two or three years this has been aban-
doned, and now the pews in the tabernacle are
solo at auction to the highest bidder. The
auction plan was invented by the late Henry
Ward Beecher. who defended it as being the
fairest method of disposing of the pews, but he
always reserved several hundred seats in his
church for the free use of the first corners 1t
is noticeable that now Mr.. Beecher is dead his
successor, DIR. Abbott. has abandoned the auc-
ton plan, but the pews in the church will,
however, be sold at fixed valuation.
Rev. DIR. Meredith has adopted the auction
method for disposing of the pews in his new
church in Brooklyn. which will be dedicated
next Sunday, but he announces that this
method will not be established as q permanent
arrangement. The pews in the new church
were sold tonight. The fact that so few of
the churches have adopted the free-seat sys-
TEN, and q number who have followed that
plan for years have, like DIR. Talmages
Tabernacle, abandoned it. would seem to es-
tablish the custom Of renting pews as the most
practical method of supporting church. DR..
Ralnsford, however, in public letter advo-
Gates at length and with much form the free
seat system adopted by his church. The pew"
churches, he says seem to be religious clubs, ~
open on certain conditions, it may be Mt certain
times, to those who without any special call
go in.
Men belong to them who are able to pay
for the best church membership. as they are
able to pay for the best club membership. and
are as particular about their church as they
are about the restaurant or club. This is one
of the very weakest spots in our modern
Professionalism. 1t does not visibly, by means
OF its great churches and services, embody any
great gospel or Christian ideas" 1t may be
said in answer to this that most of the churches
which rent their pews reserve many seats as
free and make special efforts to welcome
strangers. even the pew owners giving up to
outsiders the seats they have paid for, when
ever called upon to do so.
1t is fact, however, that there are q few
churches in New York-there are. fortunately.
very few-where strangers are not only not
welcomed, but where they are made to feel
that their presence is not desired. To these
churches DR.. Rainsford's singing words about
religious clubs" may be rightfully applied.