New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-01
FREE PEWS A FAILURE.
DIR. PARKER, OF ST PETERS, BROOKLYN,
GIVES UP THE FIGHT.
CHURCH CANNOT BE SUPPORTED BY RE
LIGIOUS VAGABoNDS" AND "ECcLEsrAsTI-
CAL TRAMPS"-THE RENTAL SYSTEM
LII 81

CAL TRAMPS'-THE RENTAL SYSTEM
To GO INTO EFFECT on MAY 1.
Official announcement made to the parishion-
of st. Peters Protestant Episcopal Church. in
Safest yesterday morning that the free-pew sys-
TEN. which has been In vogue there Cor about nine
years during the rectorshp Of the Rev. d. Lindsay
Parker. was to be discontinued The vestrymen de-
cided the change few days ago, when the fol-
lowing notice was sent around:
After mature deberation 1t has been determined
by your vestry that from and after May next
the pews of the church shall be rented, ana me
present system of free assignments cease The
members of the alton are earnestly re-
quested to be present Sunday. March 81; when an
explicit statement of the reasons for this action
vestry.
A large congregation greeted Or. Parker yeser-
day morning. and he forcibe in his remarks. as
usual Frederick T. Sherman preceded the rector
b. entering the chance and making statement or
the part of the IIc said that nine years
ago when Dr. Parker became rector the church
adopted the free-pew custom. DR.. Parker had al
ways been a stanch supporter of the free-cnurch
theory. and the trustees determined TO make the
experiment The old pew-hoders. Mr.. Sherman
said. had agreed to subscribe as much as they mad
been paying in rentals and the trustees were as
sureI as large income they had been recelN-
ing The congregation rapidly increased. ana X
looked as If no mistake had been made Soon' now
ever. unpleasant changes occurred the newcomers
failed to subscribe az much as their predecessors.
~ to % per of all the subscribers either neg
lecteI to inform the trustees failed absolutely
to keep their pledges 1t thus happened that, while
the churchs expenses remained the same the IN
come reduced. placing heavy burden upon Il
few members the church. 50 that even the rector
himself suggested that a reduction be made IN MS
salary.
Now, after nine years Of earnest and fllthful
effort continued Mr.. Sherman, do you wonder
that We are discouraged and disheartened and nave
concluded abandon this free-church theory? Inc
present deficiency in funds is $4,000. ana We urge
| you TO wipe this Easter Sunday. After May
| | each pew and sitting will have fixed rental ana
| the payment will be quarterly In advance. ms
| Will be a disappointment TO great many ana We
| would Dot have taken this step II we dd not deeHi
| II absolutely necessary. II there are any strangers
or visitors however they will always be made well
come as usual and If they not able to pay the
| lowest rental which will be 81 quarter we promise
| to provide them with seats every sunday.
| The Rev Dr. Parker first said that If ne were Sc
| Letting for the occasion 1t would be from
Psalms cxxv, l. I'VE are like them that dream
He said in part: 1--WE have dreamed our dream ana
| had orr vision ami now have awakened to the
| hard unmistakabe and almost cruel fact ana we
are wiling to acknowledge it. that 1t Is all dream
! AMI Is not to be fulfilled our cherished IDEAL Is
| not possible 10 realize
w. have had several classes Of people to deal
| with There were who did not believe in the
free-church principle: others believed in II put
who dI not support II. and made promises but uiu
| no, funl them: and still others who simply sat
! down on the system sat down US and took things
"Ry way OF illustration | will tell you true story
J \ man we'll TODD in this worlds goods VINO d. d
| peWhOller and A pewOwner IN anotEer CIu' ~
came and settled among us. lie suoIet ms pT ~
his own church for $780, and made US an annual o.
ferng of $50 for the seats Tor hlinse anu ira
thus pocketng $3.50 year By ne Transaction, im a-E
ont the beautiful free-church system lhere WI
Others who had regard whatever lot tne i naa
bonds ecclesiastical trarlps. who go from cnutSn
| - church crlticsing tie music and samplng tne
preaching and enjoying the light and heat ana COM
Portable seats and who drop cent IN yne oo asked
Are there not successful free cnurcnes! IIoheo'iy
| and frankly don't know OF one. IL seems as u
| writing that statement n ii n srrenderine
| for ! am surrenderlng a great ueai III su''e"'o
| this dream OF my ministry -. 60 oro,ber
| "RecentIy reference has been made 10 ahothe.S
r-,iscnnai church in Brooklyn (St Annsl as PROOF
- me frae-church theory be carried OUT sue
! cessfuy. But take away from tnaS pa a..anJs
| church two wealthy men, neither or whon at.e ,a
ms and IL could not support itself Take another
| ,rc,t church In New York (St. George So Wnete inc
Experiment IS being tried ana wnlcn ndH az
| ,,1n.a congregation including many iihHollale9
| md IL doie a noble work under noble man ana
beless this church. under the iree-pe" sys-
! ter, ran a good deal behind last year ., .,or-
i wish my dream had come true, Ou. rar al, con-
| ouchlv soundly and. think. permanently ion, yoi
yerei 10 the rent system "a me only oie ~, a., I'll
| under such conditions as exist mere ASH yUu a.,
| TO pay up this time. notice tna' sotre Ot S IAN
| s,pli. and | am reminded by thts that so"'o N""
| sn,iia and smile and be- villains sun, 81, ,h,.
| Uef,rn closing his remarks. Or Parker salu III,
be would not accept the pew known as the rector '
new free but would enjoy the prIVl'ese oi pas ,s
". -, ~ Lis family the as any other meinDer
-. me congregation. lie also sau thdt pem
| would now under legal rs Wen as moran oo'ea