The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-12-28
A UNIVERSAL RELIGION.
The Little Church Around
the Corner" DR.. Wes-
tails Text.
HUMAN BROTHERHOOD MUST COME.
"reminiscences Of Joseph Jefferson
the Actor-Dr. Scudder Talks
About Marriage.

The First Universalist Church on the
interested audience to hear Pastor West
ALPS discourse on "The Little Church
Around the Corner" "'The Little Church
Around the Corner is a name" said
the pastor, (which has history, and that
history is admirably told by Josedh JEFF
ferson.
"It seems that when George Holland.
his friend died, Mr. jefferson called at
the house of his family to tender his
sympathy and aid in the hour of their
sadness and sorrow. The sister of the de-
ceased Informed Mr.. Jefferson that it was
the wish Of the family that the funeral
service be held in church. rs their home
was too small to accommodate all the
friends who would like TO attend, aud
she suggested that he call upon the
pastor OF the church aud ask
him to off1ciate. Who the
pastor was, we are not told,
but it was probably the pastor of one of
the large churches on Fifth avenue. At
any rate, Mr.. jefferson, anxious to do
what he could, for the family, sought out
the clergyman, and arrangements were
rrade for the time and place at which the
funeral service was to be held.
"But no sooner had he mentioned the
fact that his friend was an actor than a
troubled look was seen to pass like a
cloud over the face of the reverend gen.
tleman. An actori Theu he would be
obliged to decline conducting the funeral
services from his church. The surprise
of Mr.. Jefferson at his refusal was
fU ,st gfsas nd na that words be vsS could vbcs ss
to express himself. but as he rose to leave
he said, Well. sir. IN this dilemma, is
there no other church to which you can
direct me, from which my friend can be
buriedr Then came the reply, The
little church around the corner
"'Then.' said Mr. jefferson. God bless
the little church around the corner
A COURAGEOUS PASTOR.
ut w,s certainly u brave thing for a
church to open its doors to admit the
mortal remains of an actor ut a time
when the sentiment of Christendom was
SO strong against any public recognition
of the stage as one of the means of mod
ern culture, and it is not strange that
that church became the favorite place of
worship of all members of that profes.
sion.
''Siuce then pnblic sentiment has
changed, and / doubt il any church would
refuse TO have such service. That little
CuurCu ID DOW kuOWu as LILO SuuTCu VI
the Transformation"
In brief manner Mr.. Westall de-
scribed his visit to the church and of his
discovery that it was an Episcopal
church.
...The Little Church Around the-C Cor
ner, continued the pastor, sis free on
lis intellectual side. It's pulpit is rs
brave as mans most daring thought.
Nothing that concerns the welfare of man
Is too secular for it to discuss. and its fell
lowship is as broad as the world. II is
committed to no policy of exclusion, nor
name, nor form, nor ritual word Is al
lowed to operate as bar to any VINO are
in sympathy with It's general aims aud
purposes.
Are these scientific men who are seek
ing to fathom the mysteries of the Uni
verse and searching after truth with u
reverence which is itself the very heart
and essence of worship; or are these p il
anthropists VINO are laboriug with self
sacrificing devotion for the uplifting of
their fellowmen, but who cannot con-
scientiously pronounce the shbboeth of
any sect or party. The Little Church
Around the Corner refrains from brand
ing them MS sceprics and inid-ls
RELIGION is DEMOCRATIC.
SIT recognizes the fact tnaL at heart,
every thoughtful and reverent man is
a theist, whether he answers to the name
or not. Ii has the courage to write over
its altar in blazing letters 'Of truth,
perceive that God Is no respector of per-
sons, but that in every nation he that
revereth Him and worketh righteousness
is accented by Him.
"1hat church is also free on its social
side. 1t represents reaction not only
against the spirit of exclusiveness in re-
ligion but also against the spirit of exclu-
siveness in society. 1t welcomes TIE mo
depraved and is friend to the lowly and
forsnken. The Little Church Around
the Corner is worshipping church. aud
it seeks to amply the gospel of Jesus
Christ TO lowlv life
1.-The hour is comiug, and now is. when
men, irrespective of race or creed, will
unite simply as men for the purpose of
mutual happiness and he development
OF higher sliritual nature. There is
certainly a growing tendency to unity
among those who have dwelt apart re-
ligously and this tendency is bound to
20 on until every wall of separation is
broken down and there is one flock and
one Shepherd.i In the meantime De it
ours to help in word and deed the COM
ing of the Little Church Around the
Corner the true Catholic and Apostolic
church, which includes all who love God
and their neiuhbOr AS thpnS nSelyeS ~