New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-09
IN THE CHURCH PORCH.
CHANCES AND GLIMPSES.

position Of the world to the Church as serious Oh.
Stacic TO Its growth. But. as matter OF fact, tho
Church would be very much stronger If the opposition
TO II was even greater than il IS. The worst thing for
inc CAurch is to be pcttcd and pairoplzcd by tho
world History proves that most conclEsve'y. Tho
Clurch was pure and strong until IL conquered tie
Roman Empire anc became state institution. Then
II became corrupt and weak. Go back 10 Antioch
say In the beginning - the third century and what 10
you secI Heathcnsm supreme. The splendid ten.
pies OF ne gods are 10 be found in all the swell
streets. Just Christian churches i'm Nev.
YORK today The best society patronizes these
temples. and not tc be at least nominal worshlppcr
Of the mighty gods incurs the wrath OF Mrs Grlndy
who just as powerful then she is now Yes
Antioch had It's Fifth Avenue, and its Fashionable
drives and its four hundred and its unwritten code O.
gentce society just as we have and religion was a
part and parcel Of the whole system, Just as II IS with
us But Il wasn't the Christian religion. The ad
hcrcnts Of that deesable superstition as was called
were Outawed. They had TO meet in secret In IA,
sums some Of its leading priests were slaves. and
A cruel death awaited all who confessed 1t. Neverths
less about 325 A. D. this prescribed religion Of slaves
and peasants overthrow the temples Of Joye throughout
the Roman Empire which shows that repression and
persecution are not such bad things might be I'm.
agined for the Christian Church.
Nevertheless. it must be acknowledged that short
make a big hole in the Church membership. 1t would
lead to the retirement Of many leading members.
There Is my friend JOnesey, for instance who is the
ie.Ilng member Of an Avenue Church. don't think
he has any for martyrdom. TO be sure he comes
forward literally with the money for every good
and is tOadied to by great many ccrgynen. WIG
could not praise him more if he one Of the early
saints. But between you and me, Jonesey is very
common. coarsegrained man, without gmmer OF
spirituality I'm his nature. and with decided fondnes
for low recreations and unclcan stories. lie good
enough Christian as Christians 90 in times Of pros
perity. But he had lived I'm Fifth Avenue Antioch,
in the third century, am sure he would have been
found among the most vocferous wOTshlppers Of tho
mighty gods For the sake Of the Church. would
very much Ike 10 see ii prosecuted for time; for
persecution would drive Jonesey and his kind OUT.
Many Of us who are inclined to say hard things
about the Rituaiists would do well 70 remember that
their leaders certainly not sefseekers. For in
stance DR.. Littledale. OF England, says: g haye
been thirty five years in the ministry oi the Church of
England and in the course Of that time my total TO
ceips from the funds Of the Church in the form Of
stipend fees and the Ike. have been something under
fifty dollars per annuma Dr. Littlcdale IS an abla
and brilliant man, who would probably have been
bishop II he had not destroyed his chances Of promo
ton by adopting the tenets Of Rituaiom
4 writer in - The Advance takes occasion TO de-
nounce a. childish the various forms that the church
-ociable often assumes. There IS the pound soclh
bic. whose name indicates ics character and ia
"necktle7 socabe, in which each one bays a necht,
which he she al once dons. These nechtes cine
in pairs one being sold to a man and one 10 woman
AID the fun consists in the fact that the couples
having the same pattern 0f neckte are by that taci
partners for tie evening. Then there is the apron
,ociabe and the towel7 socabe. 80 wonder that
the writer suggests that have g collar cut,
! -four and vegetable sociabieS.
Many a clergyman who can preach a capital ser.
mon is very unhappy speaker out Of the pul.i,'
heard Of a clergyman the other day whose duty Il
was to Introduce TO an audience missionary feon
Ceylon This faithful missionary Of the Cross 10
said "comes from Ceylon, land, where, a. y0u all
know every prospect pleaSes, and only man IS vle
Another instance: \ famous college president, a
clergyman was addressing the students In the cAape.
at the beginning Of the college year. II H. he sad
in conclusion, matter Of consratulaton - all tie
friends Of the college, thst this year opens WIKI tAo
LARGEST freshman class I'm IL, history And tHel,
without any pause. he turned 10 the scripture Lesson
for the day the third Psalm. and began reading ~
voice OF thunder: Lord, how are they in rea>ed ihN
trouble me- This. however. was hardly more an
fortunate than the choice Of the hymn Return, le
Ransomcd sinners. Home" as the closing selection oi
certain American Board meeting.
"The Hebrew Journal LIT, mp il, voice acan, no
tendency I'm some Jewish s}nagoslcs 70 ape after non
into church. IL fears thar the idea II w0r,hp IN
some SynagoEucs is being gradually pushed aside by
a service m which the people are an audience, or
whose entertainment choir sings, an organ ], made
10 send forth brilliant strains and a preacher ca.
pound, his views a lecture. The protest Ca lAs
Journal is wise and timely. From Jewish point %:
view IL Is wrong for Judaism 10 initiate Christ auy,
az Is best. What shall Of IL hen d
adopts what is least praSewOrthy in the daughter ~
hgun!
The Church Choral society has Just been ORGANIZED
In I'm, city for the purpose of stimulating mtcrr.
IN the great OratOIlos ana "a" other masterpiece, {
sacred music II object among Oher things. i, .
rive these composition, from tm 20 time an churches.
IL !, proposed 10 hold two service, each season. ~
the first service this year viii bee presented Men.
del -ohu's Hymn ~ Praise and LIFTS one iul-
dr,d and thirteenth Psalm" ~ tie second snr,fc,
GOunOd's MorS ct Vita will Doe given. There A.,
Two classes Of associate members. those paying 80
a year who are entitled t. i've admission, for
service, aud those paying $40 year. who receive
three admission, for each service. NJ tiche;, 4
be sold. The projectors hope thai the >o.iey VII
do much u elevate Oh" tone of religious music in this
city and wcan TIE people e their IE1- %" c,i i
religious music I'm which there is NJ spiritual asrrl
ton Bishop Potter and some If the leain- cler-y
and ltty Of the Episcopal Church are n tte
l"ld of the movement, and Richard Henry VAR 70.
Tie orcanlst Of II. Eawholomew'S Church Is tls
ietaN TO whom all requests for information should
be directed.