The Washington times., 1902-09-08
Rev. Mr. Van Schaick Tells
Personal Experience of
Recent Visit.
CHURCH AROUND THE CORNER
That Famous Little Edifice, Which
Joseph Jefferson Loved, Is of the Kind
That Reaches the Despairing or the
Cynical.

81 know a church where strong oppo-
sition has been made to having the edi-
fee open on week days or continuing
services on Sundays in summer" said
Rev. John Van Schaick, at the Church
of Our Father, at the IL o'clock services
yesterday morning. That church is a
triumph of architectural beauty and i'm
and have been blessed by the silence as
never by the services. The proposition
is to keep that church locked during
summer and on week days throughout
the year. The argument is, We don't
want every Tom, Dick, and Harry COM
ing in here and sitting on these cush
ions where we sit Sunday mornings.
There is danger of vandalism in spite
of the watchful care of the sexton.
"How would Christ settle that ques-
tion?" asked the speaker.
"Out of the storm or heat he sees
some wanderer come in, sink, humbly
into seat and rest in the silence, or
bow reverently in prayer. Would he
despise this silent ministry of Monday,
Tuesday, or Wednesday?
LAS the great organ rolled out beau
tiful melodies, sometimes l have seen
eyes wet with tears hide themselves Oh
the pew.
People Away in Summer.
"The proposition to hold services all
summer was looked upon with equal
disfavor Most people are away, they
say, and we don't care to go, and we
don't want substitutes
Every argument ! heard was sell
fish," said Mr.. Van Schaick ''As re-
suit every church of that denomination
is closed up. The people who argue
for closed churches are good people,
better Christians than | am. but on this
point they do not stop and ask. What
would Christ do?'
Two weeks ago ] was in New York
city on a Sunday morning that for
weather conditions was perfect.
wanted to see whether some of the great
churches were open. The new movement
has been toward opening them and get
pulpits.
81 started up Fifth Avenue from For
ty-second Street. First came the Church
Of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal, where
The Vanderbilts worship, and where DR..
D. Parker Morgan is reGkor. Although
il was an hour before Ne service. the
organ was playing softly and few peo-
pie were seated in the pews.
f'Above the chancel shone down that
'amaIs Illuminated picture of Jesus. ut
,erifg the words Come unto me We that
ire heavy laden and / will give you
est Passing back into the vestibule !
saw the words Peace be within thy
walls a prayer / could utter, for the |
was of peace. 1t was indeed
he Church OF the Heavenly Rest, and
rs doors were open daily for work and |
Worship.
Closed for Repairs.
Il thought that DR.. John Halls Pres
,yterian Church at Fifty-seventh Street |
would be open, and here l had planned |
O worship, but il was closed for re-
airs. ThsPresbyterian church Of Henry |
ran Dyke was also closed. These were
nv disappointments, and I was sur
rised. as both had adopted the policy
f keeping open during the summer and
strong men TO preach. The ex-
lanation for one church was that It was
losed for repairs, and ] knew that since
Re sad death of DR.. Babcock abroad the
ther church was without pastor.
II alighted from the cars at Twenty
inth Street, where the Marble College
,hurch stands, and which boasts of the
est quartet choir in New York. The
aors OF the church stood open. The as
istant pastor was 20 preach The church
as well filed, but ] did not propose TO
,orship on Fifth Avenue, splendid as