The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1906-12-04

In one of the Hudson River coun-
ties, not far from New York city, is a
cluster of what were until recently pro-
sperous churches. The State OF
New York has improved It's country
roads, and is about to spend several
millions of dollars to improve them
more. There is a general cry that rural
roads are bad. The automobllist is
prosperous and prominent, and his
voice is heard. Around Albany it is
said there are the worst roaas IN the
East, and millions are to be expended
upon them. The cluster of rural church
es referred to is typical OF many 9th
ers. On the improved roads on sundays
are unnumbered automobiles Feople
who have been accustomed to drive to
church, and put their teams under
sheds do not dare to do so now. Their
horses are frightened by automobiles, a
condition the owners of which take lit
tie care to avoid. The result Is that
the country people do not attend SER
vice, unless near neough TO Walk AS
few are, the churches are going TO ruin.
What is true of this cluster is true Of
thousands, wherever improved ROADS
come, and in many localities Where
they have not come.
In Bucks County, just north OF
Philadelphia, certain roads long well
known, are being macadamized, The
State of Pennsylvania is spending mil
lions of dollars on the work, and IS tell
ing the farmers what a boon improved
roads will be. On the score of this
boon, the landowners are asked to pay
part of the cost of the improvement
There have been some toll roads in
that locality, and some still remain, US
ually the worst highways of all The
new macadam roads are free There
are on a particular highway, lately i'm
proved and some miles apart three
rural churches. With the improved
highways, automobiles from Philadel-
phia come in vast numbers, not alone
on Sundays, but on all days Of the
week. Farmers who paid for the road
are hardly able to use it at all. Many
farmers sell malk and must deliver it
at the railroad stations. They cannot
deliver it. Accidents innumerable have
occurred. on Sundays people are
afraid to drive TO church, and two Of
the churches have closed their doors
The farmers were recently approached
concerning the Improvement OF an
other prominent highway, the farmers
to pay a considerable portion of the
cost direct, and the balance in the
shape Of taxes. the automobile owners
from the city using it exclusively, and
paying nothing. The farmers declined
pay, and threatened disturbance if
steps were taken to macadam the road
in question. In their protest, the church
authorities Joined.
1T is the case at all summer resorts
that churches of all names depend
much upon incomes from summer
guests at the hotels. Churches at
many resorts in Maine, in New York
State interior, and along the Jersey
shore, hold their fairs in August, in
order to catch the dollars Of the citi-
zens. 1t is a bad practice and results
in hundreds of cases in the local peo-
pie, for whom the church is conducted
ten months in the year, paying practi-
CALI nothing at all Many ragged
carpet has been left ragged or made
so. in order that well-meaning summer
visitors will buy new one. Many a
church roof did not leak till the sum-
mer boarder, asking TO do something
worthy, arrived with his wellfilled
pocl1etbook
This year a loud cry comes from
these churches concerning the auto
mobile. People who keep Sunday fairly
well during the year are reported to
be carried away at resorts this year as
never before, and to take Sundays en-
tire for long trips in their machines.
The men of families come on Sundays
only and they must have rides to see
the country. The is no time to attend
religious worship. And if not at church
they give nothing to the collection
plate. Widespread woe exists in many
quarters, in hundreds Of churches, be-
cause Of these changed conditions,
Even Roman Catholic churches, US
ually the steadiest in their financial
support are admitting injury from
that source.
The bicycle was a menace to the
church, but it proved a fad and disap-
peared Maybe the automobile will
prove a passing craze. While it lasts
1t takes, not the young men, as the
oycle used to do but the well-to-do
,itizen, even the regular church at
endant. This is true in more cases than
he public dreams to be the case.
Churches are suffering, the city ones
Is well as the country ones. The inn
Drovement of country roads at the re-
luest of the automobile owners has
wo sides to it. We are told that coun-
ry horses, like city ones, will become
to the automobile, But
round our city I notice that the city
orse, taken to the country, SHES at
he automobile and the steam roller .