The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-05-05
WHEELING TO KIRK
Dr.. Scudder Invites Cyclists
to Attend Sunday
Services.
BICYCLING A MEANS TO GRACE
Successful Results of the Expert
ment In England-Accommo-
3dations at the Tabernacle.

Only a few days ago the rector OF Hatfield
parish church, England, who is a son of the
Marquis of Salisbury, ex-Premier, invited a
number of members of wheeling clubs in
London, a few miles distant, to visit his
church at the Sunday services and special
accommodations would be made for them.
Their bicicles would be taken care of and
the riders too.
The Rev. Lord Eustace Cecil, the rector
alluded to, has been astonished at the graft
fying results of the plan to attract bicyclists.
His church last Sunday had delegations OF
young aaen from almost every wheeling club
in the northwestern section of the metropolis.
A huge shed had been constructed in the
rear of the old Norman church built during
the reign of Henry Beauclerc, and a man
wa stationed there to look after the wheels,
regularly checking them as one would do his
property at O reception or public dinner.
That man had all he could comfortably
attend to last Sunday. He Is now to have
an assistant.
Rev. John L. Scudder of the Taber nacle
is about to initiate the sensible plan OF the
aristocratic rector of Hatfield. The assem-
bly, con at the rear OF tho Iapernacie VIII
every Sunday be used as a stable for the
bicycles. 1t is 100 feet in length, and a great
many machines can be stored therein.
ssYou know remarked the energetic pas
tor s.bicycling makes better health, and
better health ought to a better Chris
tians.o
Mr.. Scudder is aware that some people
win look askance at the i~nnovaulon, but he
reasons that if it be not irreligious for peo-
ple to drive to church in o rig, why should
It be unchristlan like to go to church on a
bicyclel
'sfn country Places he observed, sit is
the thing to hitch up your horse and drive to
church, and at the back of the church there
is accommodation for these vehicles. Now
all a young man who owns a wheel has to do
is to hitch up his bicycle n there you are,
don't you know"
ONE FOR THE TRACTION COMPANY.
This plan, thinks Mr.. Scudder, ought to
be popular. Many people would prefer rid
ing to church of a fine. bright morning on a
wheel, than sit in a stuffy, crowded car. the
eoings and comings of which are as uncer-
tain as the weather. Besides, many people
who live at distances from the church, and
who think the conductors and motormen OF
our cars should have a rest on Sunday,
could have no excuse for staying away from
the Tabernacle if bicycling to church were
not di-scountenanced as an lawful way, mon,
of reaching the kirk on the Sawbath day."
Convinced that the scheme is a good one
Mr.. Scudder and his assistant Mr.. Lester
Wells are as enthusiastic about IL as a cnlid
with a new toy. Both OF these gentlemen
are expert riders on bicycles, and indeed only
recently instituted a species of bicycle tour
namenti n connection with the PEOPLES Palace
Annex to the Tabernacle, and this afternoon
the first run was made to Bergen Point at
which many ladies and gentlemen of the
church were present on wheels, Mr.. Lester
Wells headed the procession. AT Bergen
Point the members Of the party proceeded
to regale themselves with unlimited supplies
of ice cream and cake.
LARGER ATTENDAECES THE RESULT.
MI. Scudder, like Lord Eustace
Cecil, has noticed the large number
of people on the roads on Sunday
riding bicycles in pursuit of the
exhiiarating recreation at the expense OF the
attendance at church. If, therefore, some
plan could be adopted whereby the obser-
vance of the religious duties of attending
divine service could be joined to the lndul-
gence of a healthy pastime, it would not be
amiss, and the move now to be established is
considered the only scheme. Anyhow, Mr..
Scudder thinks it worthy Of a trial, and that
trial shall be made.
The immediate vicinity of the Tabernacle
Church next Sunday ought to present a
lively appearance, and the only danger
feared viii be the bicyclists running into
and over each other in their hustle to get to
the church and be met at the door by Mr..
Wells with a s~alutatory "Aweel Weel-
GOMEZ