The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-02
n0RK F0R THE ,nURCHEs.
DIR. he Costa Points Out Work for Them In
Neglected Districts.

The Rev. B. F. De Costa preached yesterday
morning the thirty-seventh annual memorial
sermon OF the Church Of ST. John the Evauge-
| list. Eleventh street ard Waverley place. His
tent was " Be watchful and strengthen the
| things that remain" These words the Rev.
DR.. De Costa said. were especially applicable 10
| the churches Of this city lust now because n
| certain parallel existed between the politics
and religions Of New York and ancient Sardis
the city to which they we're originally directed.
In respect Of immoral and unspirtual
things. the existing state OF affairs In New
York was Unprecedented In ecclesiastical his
tory The situation was grave and significant.
The finest city ON The continent Was controlled
by one of the worst Governments. 1t was
managed 10 an alarming extent by men who
produced and protected crime. That was a
serious allegation. but it was made cOolly and
after consideration. The Investigations le-
Gently begun showed the city was in the hands
OF Notwithstanding class. In the hands
OF convicted criminals themselves
New York. he said. was in a state OF siege
from within. When the Greeks failed to cap
ture Troy by assaultnG It's walls. they got the
wooden horse full OF armed men inside the
gntos. Now York had many wooden horses
Livery Kind OF vice had been thoroughly organ
lied here as n trade. Crime was pursued as n
lNEu!uI pHolhcSS' Ho hiOot Woo
was carried on as Systematically as was the dry
goods trade.
How was 4 with the religious organization
So lack OF unity OF effort among the churches
Then the wealthy were deserving the lower
portions OF the city and thus weak eninD the
down-tow churches. Many. not content with
moving themselves and their families carried
OFT the churches with them. They renlly robbed
tho downtown people OF tho churches which
had been endowed to minister to the religious
needs OF persons III the lower parts. OF the city.
They sold out church properties that helrei
tho poor and used the proceeds TO benefit the
rich In tho fashionable districts. This ecclesi.
astical robbery had been In progress for some
time and had been defended by divines OF great
dignity. ability. and learning
The remedies for those threatening OWLS, he
said, were first; Now York should be organized
syndicate. with Bishop OF wide reaching
City Missionary Society should be direcied
toward real city missions. The society had
been working only in hospitals md penal insti-
tulons. but the city WINS In stnte Of siege,
and lhe energy OF Christians should not be
thus diverted TO camp followers, the III. and
made 10 feel their responsibility for the condl-
tlon OF Affairs down town. II all the weapons
Of the religious warfare were kept 10 the hands
Of the select few In the uptown social clubs
little could be done against the forces OF the
devil IN the lower districts. The Roman Cath
olics had accomplished great things In the
poorer parts OF the city. They had built great
tants shTank. The lrO'estant Episcopal Church
should follow their example. under the lend
ul one strong man at the head Of it, city or
GAul2ation