The times., 1899-08-25
Roof-Garden Religion.

1t is reported that at least one New
York church is TO have a roof garden.
There will be a strong external :esem-
biance between this roof garden and those
attached TO theatres, but, instead of a
stage there Will be a pulpit, instead of
an orchestra an organ, and instead of
beer cold water The idea is to make the
habitues of vaudeville theatres feel at
home
We have had a great deal of this
sort of thing in America, and its
religion popular, or something of
that sort. We have had alleged hymn
books which. with different words attached
to the tunes, would do beautifully for use
on the music hall stage We have had all
sorts of entertainments within church
walls including amateur theatrical per-
formances, appIauded by people who do not
believe in going to the theatre to see
a good play well acted. The church so
ciable" has offered very nearly every kind
of amusement to its patrons, and incl
dentally been the cause of considerable
quarreling and heartburning. It may
safely be said that for every church so
ciable which comes of during the winter
there is at least one feud in the con-
gregation. The popularizing of religion
as the initiated call it, mas even ex-
tended to the pulpit and clergymen
preach sermons interlarded with colloquial,
not to say slang, expressions. and tell
how the Creator does business
It is time that thoughtful people took
enough interest in such matters to prevent
exhibitions of this sort. or. at any rate
reduce the number of them. There is
such a thing as good taste in religion
and sometimes the good taste and sim
eerity of the faith are nearly allied. A
large number of the tasteless manifesto
ions of interest in the church above
mentioned are not in any way connected
with religion. They are the outcome of
natural desire for excitement, promi-
nence. or amusement on the part OF peo-
pie whose creed prohibits them from TAX
ing pleasure in the ordinary and natural
way. Why not come out in an honest
sensible manner, and allow commune
eants to take rational enjoyment without
naying it labeled church," Why Yitiate
the atmosphere of the church by the in
PRODUCTION of all the petty squabbles am
Why not recognize the fact that when a
young man and woman wish to dance, one
sort of music is appropriate, and that when
lhey go to a vesper service they wish
to hear another kind. and that both kinds
have their use and beauty? Why at
tempt to mix the two. and make people
feel gay at a prayer meeting?
A church should be always open, that
those who wish a quiet hour to think of
serious things may have a place in which
to spend II. There are many hard working
men and women who never have a moment
for themselves when at home. II the busy
woman. on her way to market; the man.
as he comes from work, could stop even
for five minutes in cool. quiet, restful
cares drop away for the time, the effect
would be beneficial both to nerves and
morals. But the Protestant Church as a.
rule, is open for three or four hours on
Sunday and tight shut the rest of the
week, unless there happens to be $50
ciable"
There is no way to ''bring religion into
daily life" except by individual effort
There are too many religious organizations
which are nothing but respectable clubs
When black sheep appears. they turn
him out to get on as best he may. There
are too many men and women who are
so busy with church work that they
cannot stop to spend a few weeks in pa
tient. gentle endeayor to help some indi-
yidual soul There is too much vaudeville
organization and too much roof garden re-
iigion In some of our sects. 1t is time