The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-16

did the business In this competition 20 at
tract congregations. Spacious churches o
different Protestant denominations wer'
erected close to each other In neiRhbor
hoods not densely populated; and In tn,
course Of time all OF them except few
were without sufficient attendance to pre-
serve n vigorous existence. Apart from the
Episcopal. only those fort inate enough tc
secure extraordinarily popular preachers
as pastors, were able to draw congregations
largo enough to fll their handsomely up.
holstered pews.
or more recent years, too. they have suf-
fered from the loss Of many rich members
who have moved still further up town; and
meantime the growth OF the tendency In
such people to attend the Episcopal SER
vices. has increased tho weakness Of the
churches not Of that faith. The result Is
that at present the Protestant church ac-
commodations OF the district are probably
three times more than are required: and the
thinning out OF the temples has become q
measure OF self-preservation. Already
several OF them have been sold and either
torn down or turned over to secular
uses: but the number left is still 80 much
greater than the demand. that the consol-
ldation OF which We have spoken Is likely to
be followed by others during the course OF
the next few years. This will bring large
plots bland on the market In region where
they are not usually obtainable. and 1t is
not improbable that tho Roman Cath
olcs will take advantage OF this op-
portunity afforded by Protestant IMPROVE
dence. though the Roman Church never
wastes money on ecclesiastical editlces for
which there is not demand. Usually one
Catholic church. with Its numerous services
and its frequently changing congrega-
tions. supplies the spiritual requirements
OF as many worshippers as three Protestant
churches Of New York OF the largest size
are accustomed to accommodate on Sunday
Moreover. during the last generation there
has been large diminution In tho Profess
tant church attendance proportionately to
the population Of the city. This Is due In
great part. OF course. to the circumstance
that the increase OF population has been
among the Roman Catholics far more than
among the Protestants. Whole districts Of
the town where formerly Professionalism
had tho mastery. are now strongholds
Of Catholicism. and the Protestants
are few and far between. The majority
Of the people Of New York of religious con-
victlons are Roman Catholics; but in the
particular region of which we are speak
ing the Protestant ascendancy continues.
and 1t is probably as strong to-day as it
was twenty-five years ago. Is the habit OF
church attendance as general among those
prosperous Protestants as 1t was then
Though houses OF worship for it's ac-
commodation have increased so greatly.
1t has apparently declined. Instead Of
attracting people to go to church. too
many churches seem to have had the con-
trary effect. Small congregations are dis
to both preachers and attend
ants. The run Of men and women do not |
like to be associated with feeble churches;
and In such churches their spiritual vitality |
becomes low. They need the magnetism |
Of crowd to keep it alive. They |
must DO In nm atmosphere charged |
with earnest faith. or they fall into |
religious Indifference. II the church |
does not stimulate their spiritual enthusi-
asm, they lose interest in 1t and confidence |
in it's claims: and thus they are driven
away to others. or they fall away altogeth-
er from religious faith. the more especially |
1T period Of prevalent skepticism like this.
hcuC0 tu0 OuL vi tu6 frOL66C8QC
churches in the Murray Hill region is q
necessary measure. One strong church is
worth more than ten feeble; but to be really
strong 1t must have genuine faith In both
It's pulpit and its pews. Is there such faith
n the Brick church, Its pastor Is FORE
most disciple and defender Of DR.. BRIGGS.
md that means. Of course. that he does
not believe in the divinity Of the Bible.
,he sole foundation Of Professionalism. The
pastor Of the Church Of the Covenant. who
8 to be associated with him as his COL
eague In tho consolidated household. Is OF
he same mind. Is either the sort OF man
% foster and stimulate sincere and genuine
'eligious faith9 They are both critics
'ather than believers. Does anybody look
or trae and inspiriting revival of re-
igion under such leadership? Without 1t,
he Brick Church will languish. in spite
II tho $35O.oO0 1t expects to get from the
Church OF the Covenant. 1t will continue
% be religious club for the qualification
II the tastes Of prosperous people. who do
lot want their comfort disturbed by agitat-
ng religious emotions; but, undoubtedly.
me such institution In that Immediate
Is all that is necessary for
he demand.