The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-04-18
SCUDDER'S SHARPNESS.
The Tabernacle'S Pastor
Takes a Snap Shot at
His Congregation.
HIS RESURRECTION" SERMON.
II You Don't Like Partisan Poll
dies in the Pulpit, You Are
Gently Invited TO
Stay Away.

Partially prompted by a desire to learn
what the Rev. John Scudder's views on
n resurrection" were, but chiefly to
hear the elaborate Easter musical pro-
gramme which was to be rendered. more
than one thousand people crowded INTO
the Tabernacle last night. Pastor Scud-
der has noticed with some dIsmay Of late.
that many Of his congregation come to
hear the musical service. but max their
escape. either to dodge the collection box,
which is one Of the chief features OF the
Tabernacle, or else his wi far famed
''preludes."
The Doctor played a sharp game last
night. He reversed the order Of things,
and as a result caught his hearers In a
nice little trap, preventing them from
either lodging the offertory or his pre-
lude. the subject of which was Jersey
City's Resurrection Day." The services
were opened with a prayer. Then toll
lowed the collection, aud in its wake
came the prelude. The result OF this
clever move was that the congregation
were treated to a discourse of which the
following are the least offensive ana un-
ecclesiastical passages:-
OH, HAPPY DAY.
"Of all the happy Easter sunday Jer-
sey City has known, this one is the happt-
est. for during the past week this city has
verify risen from the dead and entered
upon a new and joyous life. That for
which we have worked and prayed for
years has at last come TO pass. IL was q
long time coming, but when it came 1t
came like an avalanche Deliverance has
really been accomplished. We have been
ground down so long that we can scarcely
Ia1iara II Pint IL Ia 81 fupt That the ring
that has insulted and ~defrauded us so
long Is hopelessly shattered. For once we
meet as free men aud not as civic slaves,
who fawn and criDge before "a gang of
INSCRIPTIONS plundeTers. The battle has
been fought, the victory VOL and now we
come to celebrate this glorious event with
anthems of thanksgiving.
'Some think PERHAPS that the house of
God is not The place for such demonstra-
lions of political ecstacy. Upon this
point, however. we fundamentally differ.
If these sane timoDiouS saints do not like
the style of religion advocated aud prac-
tised in this Tabernacle they are respect
fully invited to stay away. There are too
many emasculated pulpits in this country
for the country's good. and this is one
reason why some OF the churches are SO
poorly attended. When the church of
the living God goes into politics with a
will and determination to establish
righteousness on the earth: when
preachers are fearless and express
their minds freely on municiDal az
fairs: when amid their declarations
about heaven they strike off occasion
ally on earthly t~angents, pointing out the
miseries of earth aud their mode of re-
moval; when, in other words, the church
becomes a real factor in the civic life OF
the people and takes unfeigned interest in
social problems. then it can expect to re-
ceive more than a conventional regard
from the %polulace n be attended by
men as well as women.
THE CHURCHES IN 1T.
''In the victory achieved the churches
have lone their part. The ministers have
shown an unusual interest in politics and
prodded their stay-at-home parishioners
until the latter really tool the trouble to
go to the polls. / beard of one old saint
who had not voted for thirteen years, but
for once he walked up out of his htberna-
ton and cast his ballot in favor of decent
government"
At this point MI. Scudder entered into
n most violent attack upon the city Off
cials. In his characteristic manner he
made several suggestions to Mayor-elect
Wanser. which, if not carried out. will
wreck the city, in his opinion. Finishing
this TRADE he urged the public to support
and aid Mr.. Wanser in performing his
duties, concluding his remarks as fol-
lows:--
"a good Mayor is a valuable acquisi-
ton, but he can accomplish little unless
he has good men beneath him.
THE government Of a city is not a diff
ficult undertaking if righteous men are
in control. The administration of gov
eminent is simply a matter Of business
in which the citizens desire to have GER
tain things done for them, and which it
is the duty of the Government to accom-
ulish in their behalf. Our demands are
neither numerous nor extravagant, n
we are willing to pay the taxes to supply
them.
1--WE want clean streets, so that when
we leave our windows open fifteen min
utes we shall not be able to write our
names in the dust that gathers on the
furniture. We want this city to do the
cleaning for us and not leave it as hereto
fore to the servant girls. who sweep the
dlth into the middle of the street, whence
it Ia blown back before the day is over.
1--WE want enough public schools to ac-
commodate every child in the city and fit
him for future citizenship Many of our
schools are now sadly out OF repair, | am
told. and in some instances scarcely fit to
shelter our children.
1--WE want a well-equipped and we'll
mid Fire Department. The hose must be
better thar some hat / have seen, that
lost about as much water by leakage as 1t
delivered at the spout The object of hose
is to carry water to Burning buildings and
not to sprinkle the streets
ave want equality in taxation and no
Discrimination in favor OF wealthy cor
porations. They are better able TO pay
their taxes than the average citizen.
1--WE want an administration of economy
which will reduce our municipal indeet-
q ness and help lift the mortgage which
virtually rests on every foot of real estate
in this city.
ssWe want honest contracts and honest
work in every department; and more
than that. we want the expenditure of all
monies to be made public. that we may
know where our money goes and what it
is supposed to accomplish. Taxpayers
are entitled to this Information and must
have Ii.
1--WE want a sober and efficient police
force. who will see that the liquor laws
are obeyed and not use their official po