Evening journal., 1897-01-22
RAINSF0RD ANDS0CiEFX
The Advice Of the Rector Of a
Fashionable Church.
DENoUNoBs A SWELL BAL MAsQUB.

Advises His Parishoners Not to Attend a
Social Function to BE Given by the
Bradley Martins. Which He Intimates
VIII BE an osteniatious Display.
NEW YORK, Jan. % 40 Don t gol" This
Is the advice of the Rev DR. William :.
Rainsford. rector of St Georges Protes-
amt Episcopal church, in Rutherfurd
place, to those who have hccn invited TO
the bal masque Of the Bradley Martins on
Feb. TO-
Society has been looking forward to this
bal masque rs an event of the season.
Mrs. Bradley Martin has reputation as "A
charming and lavish hostess Much Of
her social success has been attained on the
other side Of the Atlantic, and consequent
ly the affair arranged to be given on Feb.
10 aroused all the more interest here. In
vitations were looked for eagerly.
And now comes DIR. Rainsford and
places the entertainment under the ban.
The clergymans opposition is based on
the contention that this is not the proper
time for such display Of wealth. A large
part Of the population of this country is
crying out against existing social condi-
tions he says, and ostentatious display
Il think that those who make their
home in this country rather than abroad
understand this, he declares.
reporter saw DR. Rainsford in his
home and asked him if it was a fact that
he had advised several Of his parishioners
not to attend the bal masque.
Il have, he replied Il have pointed
out the undesirable circumstances attend
ing this affair to several fashionable people
In my congregation and among my ac-
quaintances and have advised them to
avoid attending II possible Some of them
have agreed with me and will not be
present.
Upon what grounds do you object to
the entertainment ] asked.
Not the Time For such Affairs.
II believe that this is not a proper time
for such affairs, - he replied Il am not
alone in this. have heard similar opin-
ions expressed within the last few days by
many persons prominent not only in so
ciety, but in the financial and political
worlds In many quarters 1 have heard
it deplored that such time as this should
be chosen for such displays.
"No longer ago than Nov. 3 more than
5000, 600 people expressed their conviction
AHdt tAlHAlnE NOuAllllunS III lllS country
were unsatisfactory. Whether we like it OF
not, it Is an incontrOvertible fact that d
large proportion of our population is dis
contented, and they do not hesitate to ex
press their feelings. Never were the lines
between the two classes-those who have
wealth and those who envy them-mors
distinctly drawn.
1T is my opinion and the opinion OF
f.1I
tentatious affairs such as this serve to ac
centuate existing social differences. They
draw attention to the widening chasm be
tween the two classes have mentioned
and should therefore be discouraged.
Give Demagogues an Excuse.
Such affairs give demagogues excus'
for attacking the east and furnish texts foi
hOmilies on the heartless extravaganza o
the wealthy in the face Of poverty and dies
titution.
Bear in mind now that believe in so
cial entertainments. But there should b
a reasonable limit to display and reason
able time chosen for it, The present is no
such time. Money is not the root of al
evil; the love of money is. That text is di
rected against the envious poor man al
well as the selfish millionaire To gratui
tously arouse the discomfort and accentu
ate the poverty of the unfortunate in sucl
days as these is an action greatly TO be de
plored
To defend such a course by claiming
that it puts money in circulation is utter
ly fallacious. The money spent does no
circulate far. Those benefited are persons
already wealthy-horists, caterers, fash
ionable modistes.
There are many members Of society
who practice luxurious hospitality and ar
in evidence at brilliant entertainment
given by others who win, believe depre
cate the ostentatious display OF wealth.
think that those who make their home il
this country rather than abroad under
stand this
With want on every side, with discon
tent rife among the lower orders of so
ciety, 1t would seem unwise to offer text
for demagogues and political extremists.