The sun., 1895-03-29
MAY GITE UP FREE PEVs.
St. Peters r. r. Church in rooklyn Finds
the Elan InnntintactorY.

the E'lan Unsatistactory.
Tho free-pew system which has now been on
trial In St. Peters Protestant Episcopal Church
in BROOKLYN for six years has not proved
success and is likely to be abandoned. The late
Bishop Paddock was the rector of st. Peters
parish for several years, and under his admin
istration tho pews were rented and tho income
was always suitlciens to pay tho running
expenses as well to add something
to the extra church funds. Tho free-pev
system YVES introduced by the Rev. Lindsey r.
Parker. who was Bishop Paddock's successor,
and who. previous to going to Brooklyn. was
the Rev. Dir. Rainsfords assistant in st, Georges
Church in this city. The system has con-
tinued to flourish in st. Georges. but the Rev.
Mr.. Parker has almost reached the conclusion
that il has turned out failure among his
Brooklynfock.
st. Peters Church is one OF the oldest in tho
denomination in Brooklyn. and its location down
town has subjected 1t TO the same disad vart tages
all the other churches in that part OF the city
move to the outlying districts. The Rcv. Mr.
Parker has not spared any effort to popuarize
free he introduced q surpliced choir and organ
ized the young people, into social club, with
where they meet nightly to amu.n themselves
In many respects the Rev; Mr.. Parker followed
church liberal teachings. stopping short. how
ever. in the principles of his former chief in re-
gari TO opening the saloons on sunday.
The Rev. Mr.. Parker goes out bicycling with
the young men in his flock. and chaplain of
the Twenty-third Regiment he remained con-
mcnt was out during the strike 1t is thought
that its failure under such an enterprisng rec
tor ms the Rev. Mr.. Parker will prove u bad blow
to the free-pew system in Brooklyn. The Ques-
ton Is simply one OF dollars and cents. and tho
trustees OF st. Peters, finding that the envelope
subscriptions. which wero adopted when tho
freepew system Went into effect, have
fallen considerably short OF the $4,000
required to run the church, lave decided to
recommend a return to the old system. The
custom has been for each member of the con-
gregaton TO pledge himself or herself to pay a
certain sum each week. the total pledges
year. however since the plan was adopted the
aggregate receipts have fallen short OF the
amount pledged by sums ranging from $4,000
to $4,000 This has produced u yearly financial
strain and Il few members have been forced to
put heir hands in their pockets and mako good
the shortage.
Already some of the sit,ings have been
rented and the general renting rule will very
likely be adopted, although no formal Conclu-
sion has yet been reached on the subject. Tho
Rev Mr.. Parker admits that the free pew. plan
has rot yet reached his expectations. and next
Sunday morning he will make an announce
In St. AIMS Church ON the Heights. which
has larger and more wealthy congregation
than st. Peters. the free pew system has been
in successful operation for ten years This
church, however. has a considerable endow-
mcrt fund. and this. with the voluntary SUBJ
scriptions has always proved sufficient to pay
the running expenses.