New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-16
STRANGERS WELCOME AT ST. THOMASs
PEWHOLDERs, HOWEVER, ARE ENTITLED TO
CONsIDERATIoN-GEo NACCULLOCH
MILLER's VIEWS.

A prominent vestryman OF ST. ThOmas's Church, IN
Fifthave said yesterday that was not probable thai
the vcstfy would take action In regard to the al
legged statement Of b. W. Williams, superintendent OF
the business affairs of the church. TO the effect that
strangers wore not welcomed there. II possible,
however, that some reference would be made to The
matter at the next meeting Of the vestry.
In interesting talk last evening at HIS homo In
Madlson-ave, George Macculoch Miller. junior war
den Of St. Thomas's said As matter of fact pre-
sume that ST. Thomass Church every sunday takes care
Of more strangers thar any other church In the city and
that Il them earlier. u has come to be. on ac-
count Of Its music other attractions and Dr. Bro"nt
celebrity as preacher and from the fact tba us inc
most prominent church in the most prominent position
uptown, the one where stranger IS generally likely
go who Is here for Sunday. In addition TO all this
as Williams says there is a constantly increasing num-
t.r Of people who attach themselves 10 no particular
church, take regular part in the support Of any
church who desire church services, and. who, sup
py themselves with these from Sunday
day among the prominent churches I'm the city, ex-
pecng TO be cared for with the same regard 10 their
comfort and convenience az If they were themselves
supporters OF these churches. ! imagine these Two
classes OF people constitute least onethd OF those
who an St. Thomass Church morning and afternoon,
and for more than dozen wears that have been an
attendant there | never remember any instance In
they were To be had and many times to the over
crowdInc and physical discomfort Of Dewboders.
There are three men employed TO do this very thing,
and instead of waiting. Is tho custom IN many
burches until the second lesson. the practice Is at
& Thomass to begin seating the strangers not later
than the beginning Of the Psaer which occurs early
In tho service.
"Tbcse people are none OF them the really Door,
nor are they often those who might not supply them
op
,be economy In other things which II might require OF
,bcm As a rule think they much better dfesscn
than the regular members of the Congregations ~
IN the really poor st. Thomas's. as well as most Vi
tho richer churches. sstans an absolutely free chspe
for which three clcrgymen are constantly empioSou
Irndoultedly the big wealthy parishes OF the Guy
houid bo administered so as give their benefit to
arrer number Of people than to the CONGREGATIONS 'ha'
use them In the two services OF a SUNDAY Wmch ar'
now customarv and how 10 do this Is a matter now
,dor thou,btfII consideration bv the rector ana
vestrv OF St Thomas's, with the idea whch h''eh
trst may soon be ACCOMPLISHED. OF having one OF
morc services I'm addition 10 the present regular
every S.lnday, when the chuTh shall De ope"
to everybody with absolutely Tree s'un-'
do not believe there wOu!d DC ~o
suctcst affection TO this on the part of any OF the
nevbolders who would continue 10 nave INC "S'
Of their pews as now LOT the ros"'a' 9
afternoon service. .,
"Now as to MI Williams. lie Is fathfni,
earnest man. dealing only with the Temperatures Oh
s. Thomass and possibly oyerzeaouS win reea'o
70 them as well as somewhat brusgus IN MS manner
INIT although one OF the officers OF w 'nu aC,
W. w o. 10 had official relations with NE lor many
Sears think he is Just as likely 20 eAo mt ' ..
1850 Of zoaI or brusQucness of manner 10 me, VIZ
1850 =, tho rector as he would be 10 stranger.
Willie we do not approve Of this or II he sc5ed r a.
~ M oaners have said lately he did act. shau not
w oroe :, think In most likely the stories nav :
hsen greatly exaggerated. was in Eoston un nen
late last night, and since my return nav t ~ do
hecause of what know Of him."