The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-11-10
A GOOD WORK CROWNED
DR.. SCudder'S Palace
Thrown 0pen-Jersey
City Congratulated.

The Rev. and Mrs. John L.. Scudder
and the Rev. John L. Wells, assistant
pastor of the Tabernacle, were a happy
trio last night, indeed it may be said the
entire membership of the Tabernacle
Church was jubilant, when over a thou
sand persons inspected the work thus far
accomplished in connection with the Peo-
pie Palace. The unanimous verdict was.
'Well Done"
The temporary structure was thrown
open for public inspection last evening at
the conclusion of exercises held in the
church. during which addresses were de-
livered by prominent speakers. Thu main
entrance to the new buildings is through
the old reading room, facing henderson
street. The visitor finds himself. upon
leaving the reading room and library. In a
room running the entire length or the
church auditorium, ten feet nigh and
twentv-four feet wide. This is furnished
with numerous chairs and tables, and is
design ted Amusement Hall. 1t will be
USED for general exercises and games.
This connects with the lecture room in
the rear Of the church. One can also
pass from the Amusement Hall u few
steps down into the billiard and pool room
ALI OOWllhA a4tCyDs AAS "Ok0
erected by Dillingham;. and are OF the regu-
lation pattern. Shufietoard. bagatelle
and other table games are among The APP
pointments of this department.. Above
this is located the gymnasium, So by "a
feet and 16 feet high. 1t Is we'll lighted
and ventilated, and is equipped with the
latest %gymnastic appliances. These are
located in a structure connecting with
two buildings on Grand street, which
contain sixteen rooms, all devoted to
Palace work. They form q labyrinth of
parlors, cloak-rooms, bathrooms Qnclud-
ing shower and spray, lockers, aud COM
mlttee rooms. The greatest feature here,
however, is q natatorium or swimming
tank, "a feet long, 10 feet wide, and 8 feet
deep, which Will hold 49, 900 gallons OF
water. The water is heated by means OF
steam pipes. There is also a department
known as u kitchen garden and II sewing
room, where girls are TO be taught practl-
are under the supervision OF paid and
competent Instructors.
When one takes into consideration the
ball grounds in Grand street and the
lacrosse teams grounds at Grand and
Varick streets, which are part CT the
Palace plant, the magnitude OF the work
thus far accomplished in what thep pro-
delight to term common sense"
Christianity. is at once apparent.
OPENING EXERCISES.
That the work is thoroughly appreci-
ated is evidenced by the vast throng
which assembled last night to listen to
the opening exercises. The pulpit of the
Stars and Stripes, and ferns and potted
plants fringed the platform. Behind
these sat the Rev. DR.. Scudder aud his
energetic assistant and Secretary OF the
Peoples Palace, the Rev. Mr.. Wells,
Lyman Abbott, d. D., of Plymouth
,ak, lD-,n1Iyo. A. Ii pra1far1 n
D., of MontcIair; B. 4. Bradford. j. NJ.
Wilton, d. D., NJ. NJ. Sherwood. pastor
of Waverly Congregational Church; DR..
Brett of the Bergen Reformed Church,
DIR. Paul Van Cleef of the Wayne Street
Reformed Church and Major q. K.
Pangborn.
William E. Dodge, who had been an
he sent a commendatory letter to Pastor
Scudder, accompanied by q check for
$500. Mr.. Scudder read the letter. Mr..
Dodge, in his letter. said to Mr.. Scudder:-
Your work is practical Christianity
backed by common sense"
MI. Scudder said:-"We are entering
upon a new epoch. We are drifting into
a broader spirit Of Christianity" And
abiding to the in which the work
was beng received said the lumber of
boys and young men who hal already
purchased cards of membership is 537.
1t was already necessary to Call a halt
and allow the members to visit the rooms
in detachments two nights a week. The
object of the work was to give the Young
men a chance against saloon influence.
He believed the right idea had been
struck. Practical amusement for tine
girls, too, he said, will soon be looked
after. After reviewing the work accom-
plisned he exclaimed:-"Now. here we
are, Some said we couldn't get here.
But we did. [Applause.l l want to say.
too, that we DON'T W a cent on this
building or any of these recent acquisi-
lions. Louder applause. 1coqld not have
said that last night: But the receipt of
$50 ahead. You have given us between
SIS. 900 and SIG. 900, and we thank You for
1T. The business men of Jersey City and
New York and Montclair are with us. l
wait 10 say we shall never be in debt. If
more furniture comes it must come
through your generosity. 1t will require,
of course, money to run all these depart
ments. Instructors, ja~nitors, ETC., must
be paid salaries. We believe you will
assist us in the future, Il we believe
you will give us what we need, $50, 000."
The Rev. DR.. Lyman Abbott, in an
eloquent and logical address. said in
parI:-"Over in BROOKLYN we have great
respect tor DR.. Scudder. 1t is easy
enough to lay out such plans OF paper.
But it requires flesh and blood and bricks
and mortar to successfully execute them.
not only for the Tabernacle Church but
for all the Christian churches. What we
want is sanctified common sense. We
have been carrying secularity in one YES
sci and common sense in another. It's
high time they were married. We should
take the spirit of Christ out of the old
time ami use it IN our own time. To
carry out the spirit of patriotism of the
Revolutionary heroes does not mean we
should year knee breeches and cross the
Delaware on ice. In Christianity we
should follow the methods Christ fol-
lowed. He believed that all children
were the children of God. We have been
reversing in our churches Christ's
method. We have simply tried to save
one sheep while ninety II nIne wan
dered. Christ went out in the highways
and the hedges, and sought men in the
ordinary modes of life. III he foundm men
hungry. he fed them. ] believe in the
swimming bath. the gymnasium and the
sanctified bowling alley. Whatever helps
men and wonen to live right. holy and
religious lines is the religion of Jesus
Christ. A general impression prevails
among men OF the world that common
sense and piety don't go together"
DIR. Abbott did not wonder at this II
this stanza, which he once saw penned
BY Il foolish religious enthusiast, mad ever
met their eyes:-
"Be Thou, o Lord. the holy rider,
Make me the little ass;
And into the Holy City.
Together we will pass"
The choir Of fifty voices next sang a
The Rev. DIR. Brett was next intro
H.--Af