New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-13
RELIGION IN NETWORK.

There are some pesslmistc Christians who be-
lieve that New-iork is one Of the most ire
ligious cities in the world, while others, who look
on the brighter side of the picture. maintain
that it is one Of the most religious cities. They
are both right and both wrong. The metropo-
Island by that, of course, mean the city a.
it is nOw-dOes contain a great deal OF IRE
ligion. both active and passive. Ii numbers
among It's most prominent citizens men Of in
telleCt and culture, who for one reason or an
other reject any divine revelation. and look
upon the fundamental doctrines OF Christianity
or of Judaism as Illusions founded myths.
A few of these men are active in their Opposl-
ton to religion, and are more or less engaged
in an organized anti-religOu propagandiSm.
But the majority of them keep their unbelief
TO themselves, ard in some eases find it com
patbe with their views occasionally TO attend
places of worship with their families. They
may even regard their inability to believe as a
personal misfortune and feel it their duty 10
place no obstacle in the way of their children
becoming believers. Besides these men who
reject religion from principle there are the
great congested masses of people in this, as in
every great city who. through ignorance. in
difference or vice, are as truly heather as
main largely untouched by the spirit of civiliza
ton or the principles of religion. They are I'M
affected by the great movements of modern life
that lifting the race up To higher Outlooks
and nobler ideals of life and conduct. For this
reason they constitute menace 10 the welfare
OF the community. and for this reason also. If
there were no other, every effort that is being
made to reach them with the message OF civil
thropy deserves the cordial sympathy and CO.
operation of all good citizens 1t is, perhaps.
not altogether creditable TO the churches that
they have not in the past been fully alive 10
the Importance OF this home missionary work.
But it is TO be said Of them now that they real
ize their responsibility in the matter and stand
ready to discharge it as best they may.
For the churches to-day especially those in
New-Yorl. are prolific in work and activity.
Never. indeed were they more So II is the
habit Of certain evil-minded critics to say that
religion is in its decadence because many men
and women in the churches are disposed to in
teipret for themselves some OF the old re-
ligious dogmas. Such people, say the critics.
are iniidels. and their growth in numbers and
influence during the last few years is taken rs
evidence Of an rreligiOus spirit in the churches.
Now. whether these liberals are right or wrong.
question which do not care 10 discuss
here il is fact that their sole desire j. 10 make
religion more real factor in the lives of ordi-
nary men and women. They are burning with
a zeal for and love of humanity. and many of
them are dcvoting their lives and fortunes to
the noble work Of regeneratng the race. If
they mistaken In their apprehension of some
Christian doctrines, the fact is 10 be deplprcd:
but il it is true that by their fruits We shall
know them" their mistake would seem TO be
Of the head rather than Of the heart
In spite of IT'S irreligion, Ncw-YOrk is one Of
the most religious cities of the world. and its
religious impulse is likely 10 grow stronger
rather than weaker. II contains within its
limits 1,003 places Of worship and its church
Hoperty is worth SGI.5l6.jI3. The mos meagre
description OF It's uplifting agencies and insi-
tutions would make Il largesiZpd book TO
speak of nothing else. the churches of the city
maintain 296 sewing and industrial schools. | q
free reading rooms and 49, free kindergartens
And the number of lay workers. teachers. visit
ors and preachers. many OF them giving all
their time without money and without price
would mount up into the thousands Such
tremendous force in the life Of the metropolis
cannot and will not be ignored and I'm spite of
rpverses here and there il will continue TO
do It's benefcent work for civilization and hui
mainly