The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-29
Discussion on Free Churches and the
Pew System by Eminent DlVlnes.
THE SECOND QUARYELY MEETING.
Rov. Mcssra w. s. Rainsford OF New
York, Robert Treat Psine OF Boston,
Henry NJ. Torbett of Boston ana Others
Express Their Views.


cadero last evening, about $50 members
and guests being in attendance. An
elaborate dinner was served by Tilling-
hast, after which President Rathbone
Gardner announced the subject of discus
sion, "The Advantages OF the Free Church
and the Pew System" and introduced
Rev. w. $. Rainsford, rector OF st. Georges
church, New York, who spoke on the
above subject.
The speaker delivered himself briefly
and to the point. He spoke on the side OF
the free church'system.
He did not think it possible to consider
so important q subject without at least
taking a cursory glance at the conditions
belonging to our churches at large. The
first thing 10 remember In that the church
does not exist chiefly to defend church
work, but to promote that OF open church
work. The mission of the church is not
to concern the excellent methods of dis
bursting the living water, but rather to
conveying il unostentatiously. However,
we look ut it, the conditions OF life are
constantly changing. Ii seemed to him
that II such necessary changes are con-
sidered in connection with the christian
life, an innovation in the life of churches
was the introduction of the Sabbath
school in 1908, while another was that OF
the stove, for il was not until the nine
teenth century that such q thing as a
stove was to be found.
changes Taking Place.
These are only illustrations OF the many
changes which are continually happening,
and from them deductions must be
drawn. II must be further remembered
that we are so tired very often that we
are not aware Of the rapidity with which
the changes arc continually taking place
around us at the present time-of the
changes that are occurring fitting us for
that most momentous change that can
possibly occur. We are an organization
here to express the word of God. We
need to look about US and see what is
necessary TO meet the requirements of
the present time, and then bring our
selves to furnish the elements of these re-
quirements and preach those lessons that
we are instructed TO do. He urged the
desirability of unity among men il these
changes OF the present arc to be met, and
there is no place where such unity can
better be brought about than through the
churches of Jesus Christ. You must
bring the men of today to feel that the
church of today is living reality and not
meaningless.
Men Gu aide the thr rthes.
There are many men outside of
the churches equally as good, equ-
ally as conscientious, equally chris
tian, as men in the church, who ap-
pear to feel that the church means moth
ing, that it has nothing for them. 1t be-
comes our duty to interest these
men and 10 bring them into the
church. This should be attempted,
and possibly there is no method
more practical than TO make the churches
more free in their methods and systems.
And this freedom is certainly prac-
tical, as / personally know, from
the fact that i have had charge OF
both classes. In this conduct Of free
church there are many things that de-
mand our attention. More money can be
collected under the free system than
under the pew system. Practicability
and common-sense system are what is
needed. II the system is properly intro
duccd more money will be raised for the
church than by pew rents and chance
offerings. do not think that the church
is the place where there should be any
proprietary rights. Another advantage is
that the free system appeals to the people.
We should bear in mind the fact that
large majority OF the English churches
are free and we should commence by maxi
ing the biggest churches free. III we ap-
peal to the best in men your appeal calls
forth best that has never before been
recognized and strengthens them and the
church.
Robert Treat Paine OF Boston contended
that the pew systom was practical and
should he continued. The free system is
perfect in theory but failure in practice,
according TO the recent statement OF a
rector of free church. Whether the re-
tanning of the pew system is for the best
or not is an important question, and he
elaborated at some length upon the dan
gers and difficulties attendant upon
change from the pew system TO the free.
Rev. Henry M. Torbett of ST. Stephens
church, Boston, and j. l.. V. Pruyn of the
All Saints cathedral at Albany, n. ",
spoke briefly and then the meeting ad-
journed.