The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-26
The closed Church Doors.


In nearly all the large cities Of this coun
try many Of the churches are closed at thu
SEASON of the year The ministers OF them
are enjoying a vacation in Europe or at
summer resorts. One excuse offered for
closing the churches is that many members
of the congregations are out OF the city,
aud another excuse is that the ministers
need rest. But are these excuses entirely
satisfactory!
Comparatively few members Of any con-
gregat!on Of any city leave their homes
during the summer, and, as a rule, they are
the weather and more influential mem
bers. The poor members ara at home all
the year round. They cannot afford va
cation IL they were the ones who were
absent during the summer months and the
wealthy members were the ones who re-
manned at home, the churches would not be
closed II the ministers should take vaca-
ton their pulpits would be supplied, and
they would not take vacation as often as
they now do.
Is the religious welfare of the rich thought
TO be of more consequence than that of the
poorl 1t would be unjust to ministers who
permit their churches to be closed for two
or three months every summer to assume
that they think it is, but there must be
many church members of the poorer classes
into whose minds such question finds its
way. And the feeling that more cousidera-
tion is shown for the rich than the poor in
the churches may be one of the reasons why
so many of the poor avoid the churches.
No doubt many ministers need a vaca-
ton. but do they need it more than those
who depend upon daily toll for broad? Be-
cause they can get a vacation aud are better
able to discharge their duties after a period
of rest and recreation it doesn't follow that
those of their congregations who cannot
leave their homes for pleasure should be de-
prived of their religious advantages
In Mexico the doors of the churches ar
never closed in the day time. In an article
in the current number Of HGrper'S Weekly
entitled "Open Church Doors" this Mex
can custom is referred to as follows: Zone
class of Mexican buildings there is whereof,
save only at night, the doors never are
closed-the churches. From dawn until
darkness comes again the church doors
ohohO OpOht o4d WhSSNCL wall OubCA W
seek solace in prayer. Though less than in
the period preceding the passage of the laws
Of reform-whlch swept away, at a single
blow, the priestly rule that undermined the
civil power-the church is an active part of
Mexican daily life. Going to church is not
an Office fixed for small part of a single
day in the week and celebrated only in gar
ments of price: every day and all day long
there is constant flow and ebb Of human
ity through the friendly open doors to and
from the friendly shelter from the sorrows
of the world"
And this Mexican custom Is an excellent
one. It makes religion part of the daily
life of the Mexican people. They don't feel
their religion is something that can be
enjoyed, or its benefits received, but once
week, and then only when they are attired
i'll their BEST clothes. A driver of a charcoal
wagon feels as free to enter a church as the
richest merchant. and he receives just as
much consideration there The church
doors are open for all classes Of people every
day in the year. In the matter of practi-
cal religion people who have a higher
civilization than the Mexicans can learn
something from them.