Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-02-23
Ezisa-toneG Religion.

"We haven't any rooU ~ cuc church ioP
people who haven't paid for their SEATS. Our
trouble is not to fud places for strangers,
but to keep ,hsm out. we don't ask them
to come, and we don't want them. II they
come they arc ID the gay. and we have
hard work to get them out Of the way but
we manage to do Ii, nevertheless. We have
to watch them, but sometimes they eluGe
Us and oontrive to find seats somewhere.
Then We have TO tell then very plainly to
get up and go out And We make them dc
it," Renj ". Williams eaid these words
tonight at his home, l67 wfst 45h street.
He is tie chief lag manager of The affairs Of
the Protestant Episcopal church Of St.
Thomas, at SD street and 5th avenue, and
il wss Of St. Thomas church he was speak
ing. The congregation of the parish of st.
Thomas is probably the weaithieat in tbs
city. It's members are foTemJ u among tho
four hundred Of fashion ai.d The four sun,
dred of wealth. Rev. Wm. F. Morgan, ID.
D., one OF the most noted ministers Of New
York, was the pastor of the flock for many
years. He died somewhat more han ayear
ago, and Rev. John Wesley Brown, D. ID
was selected as his successor cniy after con-
siderable searching by the congregation. he
gets large saisry aud has au aasls-
tant, who is we'll psid also. Mrs. Gerry w.
Moore, of Detroit, who found her way to q
Dew in the church last Sunday, kneeled in
Drsver. and While IN TIE midst OF her devo
tions she says that Mr.. Williams came along,
placed his hand on her shoulder, and thus
forcing her to rsise her head, said to her:
"Who told you to come to this pace?"
She answered that no one had told her,
and she says Mr.. Williams said to her;
well, this is not your pew, and don't you
come in again unless you ere invited. Now
get out"
She was surprised, and, doing as she was
told. rose and went away. When The story
was related to Mr.. Williams to night be
said: "Well. l did tell her to get up and go
cut. She had no business there. 1t was not
her pew, and she wac not placed there By
any usher"
"What is the theory on which you act?"
was asked Mr.. Williams,
sit isn't any theory: it is plain business.
Do you suppose you could 90 into the thea.
tre and take any sest you please? No, OF
course not"
"But church isn't a theatre"
"Thst's something don't have to take
iuto consideration. All know is that these
seats are paid for by our people, and tney are
entitled to them"
"Then the plan Of free aalvation is not ia.
vored?"
mo, sir; not at all. That's all sentiment.
1t won't work in this age, and it went do in
such congregation as that of St. Thomas.
We don't ask people to come, for we don't
want them. am not looking for souls for
the pews It's the dollars that are wanted"
"But do you consider that consistent with
the idea of Christianity?"
II don't consider the question of Christi,
auity. It's none of my business whether
the people that have seats are Christians or
pagaus."
"Well, isn't it believed that the rich and
the poor may be saved together, aud isn't
| there any encouragement offered at all to
the poor go that both the poor and the rich
may worship together?"
s'No there lent any of that sentiment,
and there won't be until the spirit OF the
Holy Father reaches the earth and spreads
itself among mankind in different way
| from the present way"
AREN'T there any places at all for people
who may want to worship but who have not
pews?"
"No; there are no good seats. We have
place where hundred or more may sit,
but they can't gee anything. 1t is in the
north wing, where the view is cut of. We
let them 90 in there, and I suppose if they
are devout and sincere it s just as good for
them as better place would be."-N. T..
COR Chicago Herald.