New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-22

HE DOES NOT APPROVE OF PAYING $4,000
FOR BALI. OR A BANQUET.

g, mo-, may exnond $50 900 for a ball and a ban
ouet without injuring himself or without committing
a crime against Society but II Is extremely doubt
full whether looking at such expenditure from me
standpoint OF the Christian. II could he justihed'
said the Rev DR.. Charles H. Eaton last evening in
the Church of the Divine Paternity at Fifthave and
Forty-lfth-st.
DR. Eaton prefaced his sermon The Christian
and the Problem of Living by saying that next
Sunday evenn~ he would begin series OF practical
talks on the Bible lie was prompted 20 take TINS
course bv reason OF the interest in the subject
which was made evident by the widespread discus
sion now going on regarding the infallioy Of the
Bible.
The minister then read from the sixteenth chapter
~ 81 Matthew and laid emphasis upon the words;
Then said Jesus unto His disciples. If any man
will come after Me- let him deny himself
Luxury" said Or. Eaton. can be considered
from, two standpoints-that OF political economy and
,ha, Of Christianity. The political economist confines
himself mainly 10 the Material plane But from the
standpoin, Of the Christian there is higher plane
That there Is necessity for forming better Juig-
mont on the problems Of increasing wealth cannot
no denied The wealth Of the United States. both
collectively and a. individuals has been the marvel
hath Of other nations and Of ourselves Professor
CHIN Of London has discovered that there has been
a gradual increase in the earnings OF small capital
h,t a gradual decrease In the returns from large
aronnts % capital Bat Notwithstanding this wealth
is on the Increase and unless some proper solution
-, ,be nrobom is made 20 stop the unrest In the
bod,. no.itic social agiiatOrs may ne able 10 IN
nr.rca tho ignorant 90 anarchism.
Tbo sneaker then made the statement hrSt quoted.
I'd ,.ant ON 10 say that there was an allowable and
- ,,,in,blc Injury The workman VINO smoked too
,r,n, cigars was guilty OF cupable luxury Just a.
u.s. nm. millionaire who spent his money for things
rti inste4d OF elevatng mis- fellow men merely had
" ,,ndencv TO dcbass mankind If a man spent MS
none, Tor TWO drinks Of whiskey instead OF buying
'-.n chcap picture thai would delight ana instruct
iis child ne would bee nduleng IN culpahlc luxury.
'rbo nurchaee OF the picture would ~ allowable
henry because although n was not a necessity II
',T,sad tho employment OF men ana dd not dcDtse
,,,a,bnod What a bought ne made. When
h. noucht whiskev he caused more whisky TO be
~, III Whiskov did not elevate mankind. There
10 tho throwing away OF money FOR liquor was "A
.,,i,,b.a Injury as great many other eNtraN-
.aiincics which could be mentioned he said. Better
- f. IN found lhraries build schools. endow col
io~e a,d establish art galleries than TO indulge in
cvtrayagant balls and banquets. he declared There
,,,s of course. went on. an allowable luNufN IN
ling moderate social functions. but a luxury
,troa'cnnd To destroy the life OF the Nation. as IL
IA Tho old Roman Empire when il obtained posses
80, If the gold mines of Spain. he thought II was
hottor for a man 10 split rails or walk the towpath
han 10 ne Tapped i'm luxury.
r. r.,s not always wise 10 give aims. but he con-
,ir a. tho duty Of every Christian 10 join seriously
~ no rescnt effort 10 alleviate the condition of the
,rfortinqfe who had fallen i'm the improper appca-
Ion az tho great law OF supply and demand. Prin-
.nioe If nolIfiral economy which could be proved
ehoud be Indorscd by every Christian he said