Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-01
COME, REST AND PRAY
The Invitation Extended by a Church
in New York
THAT is OPEN FOR WORSHIP DAILY
Generosity of a Brooklyn Church to a
Retiring Pastor.
NEWSY NOTES FROM THE CHURCHES

For long time it has been the desire of
the rector of Trinity Church and many
others with him that this church should be
opened every day for public service and
now that it has been made practicable by
the generosity of one of its founders (the
late Mr. Shoenberger) it is devoutly hoped
that no obstacles will be thrown in its way
BY any, although they may feel it tends
toward Rome or some other ancient city.
Apropos of this desire is the. sentiment OF
the Congregationalist, which says in late
issue on this subject:
Just off a little park, which is skirted by one,
of the busiest avenues in New York City
stands handsome church edifice. near whose
porch is a placard bearing the words Come
in rest and pray" Seven days In the week this
house of worship stretches out its arms To the
stream of humanity which pours increasingly
past its doors. In an age which runs to matei-
ialism, ard IN a city where life is most intense
and fevered, the simple, gentle invitation is
constant reminder of the spiritual world and OF
the peace of God.
The rarity of such use of a Protestant meet
ing house is not more striking than is the salts
faction which one feels who has observed the
good results which, in almost every instance,
have followed the experiment Of opening the
church week days as well as Sundays. when
we reflect upon the amount of money invested
in church buildings, il becomes grave ques-
tion whether il is good business policy to let
them be idle six-sevenths of the time AND
when we remember they were dedicated To
God, to the end that they might be servIceable
TO men, the query IhruSts itself forward, are
our church buildings being utilized as fully as
they might be to bring the MASSES TO Christ!
1t is of course 1mpractlcable and undeslra-
BILE for every church in every community 10
keep its doors open to the public, day IN ana
day out But there is a decided disposition on
the part of those pastors and peoples who are
alive TO modern methods of church work to
bring into larger and more frequent
use the editicc, which, in the
popular apprehension is the church
itself Just SO soon as a church awakens
TO the need of greater activity, If 1t would re-
tain and strengthen Its hold upon the people,
that church finds new uses for its ediflce. 1t
cannot carry on a large aud varied work ior the
men and women about 1t unless 1t does SWING
wide III doors, not for few hours on Sunday
but like any other enterprising business con-
cern, from Monday to Saturday as well.
The centering of all the activities OF the
church at one point, the grouping there OF
gymnasumS. reauing rooms and sewing schools,
the extending of welcome at all reasonable
hours of the day are most admirable features
of that forward movement whose pulsations
are beginning 10 be felt in all our religious
work. The church should be the center OF ali
the innocent and joyous life of the community.
II should be no less of a temple whether the
tribes go up to pray and to praise, but IL shouid
be the raiiy1ng ground and the training school
for all noble activity. And every lonely, dis
pirited man and woman who catches sight OF a
church Splre SnOulQ know Jnat lneIe C1n De
found the sympathy and help which will make
their barren lives rich again, and worth the liV-
ing.
Is this fast, to keep the larder lean and clean,
From tat Of Yeais and sheep!
Is il to quit the dish of flesh, vet still to I'LL
The platter high with fish?
Is II to fast an hour, or ragged to go, or show
A cowncast LOOK and sour?
No! 'Ts fast to dole thy sheaf of wheat and meat
Unto the hungry soul.
II is to fast from strife, from old debate and hate,
10 circumcise thy lie.
To show a heart grief rent TO starve thy sin, not
bin,
And that's to keep thy Lent