New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-31
EPFE IND RENTED PEVS.

The announcement that the free pew system
in 81. Peters Episcopal Church, BrooRlyh' mas
proved a financial failure will call renewed at
trotion To the somewhat tncworn controv'rs!
between the advocates OF free ana rented pe"''
In that controversy 1t must be admitted, me
onponrnts Of rented pcwS are much nearer 10
thr ideal of Christianity than their advocates
They say that the fundamental principles OF
Chrlsi's religion are opposed 70 the idea Of APP
propr!arng any space in Gods house TO the
exclusive use of certain persons. Such prac-
tlcc is subycrsivc Of the truth Of Gods Father
hood and Of mans brotherhood To charge rent
for n pew is not only 20 make people pay Tor
the privilege OF hearing the Gospel, but To Keep
others from hearing il who cannot or VIII ho'
pay. 4 rented pew Is therefore barrier erect
ed between The human soul and It's creator
That such barriers should be erected by the
world rs they frequently are, is bad enough
but for the Church TO 70 into the business Oh
creating class distinctions among Christians on
the basis Of their financial condition IS mon
sircus The Church was set III the world 10
abolish caste, to proclaim that God Is no re-
spcctcr Of persons. and that every one, rlch or
Door who works righteousness is accepted oil
Him Moreover say the frcc-church advo
Gates The pew rent system dcCradcs the minis
fry by making thd minister's power 10 fill the
pcyS his highest recommendation For these
reasons thry have been trying for years 10 pro-
mote the principle Of free prws But. in suite
o: the strength - their arguments. j. must b"
confessed thlt their success thus far has been
mcngrc.
The advocates 81 rented pews agree with their
or;. .nrnts that caste is uu-C Christian. bur main
tain that II may exist I'm free churches. In one
sense. they say. MI churches in this country are
free because they are voluntary. No man need
plv unless h" desires 10 do 80. and the poorest
may find s.iilngs somewhere II jhcy are anxious
10 hclr The Gospel l;ut II stands 10 reason that
churches whether frc" or not. can hold only GER
tain number 81 people, AMI II everybody wants
to 90 20 a church where there j. eloquent preach
ing. or fine music. great many people Will not
b,. abb, - get ln How absurd II would be- for
such propc to raise the cry that they are kept
from hearing the Gospel And yet the cry is no
less absurd when IL Is raised against churches
I'm which IN. pcws are rented. For II amounts 10
saving hat The people in such churchcs-that Is,
rho>.. who rent The prws are by that fac keep
Ine others from being IN the church. This is
true. and WI remain true unit, two bodies can
that the rented pew system does IS 10 make sure
that thc people who are present shall pay their
fair and lawful share Of the churchS running
expense. Under the frcc-clurch system wor-
shipper. ought 70 d. that; but experience shows
that without legal business contract there are
many people who viii ShlrS their duty in this
respect
Doubtless. : human nature Is constituted. the
rented pew system j.. on The whole, most sue
ccSSful 1t is. II coursc. open 10 objections: but
50 long rs churches must raise "A definite sum
for their support and oven free churches must
DO tina, the plan ~ renting pcws is the sureNt
and most busncsslillc method If raising the
necessary money. In most churches where pcws
are rented there are Il number OF free pcws. and
pcN-holdcrS are generally ready 10 welcome
visitors 80 vacant slttings in their pcws. The
system practically keeps no ore who is anxious
To hear The Gospel from doing So 1t is not an
ideally perfect system; hui the only feasible sub
stitutc for ii is the system Of endowed churches;
and Il will b. a long time before American
Christianity goes back TO that system.