The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-17
OVERWHELMED TRE DEACON.
PASTOR MEURY'S SEDATE FLOCK
VOTES AGAINST CHURCH FAIR.

A sman. Primitive. hut Cleanly Church
Calmly Refuses 90 Encourage the I'm.
moral suggesisn Of tho Lonesome
Deacon by . Vote o. lIS 60 the Deacon.
Al last the s~tricter party in the old Ger
man Second Reformed Church Of Jersey
City Heights have downed those who clam
ored for q modern church fair with chances"
and "rafies." The full congregation gath
cred last night. Emil Meury. their pastor,
had announced that the vexed question
would be put to their vote. One hundred
and fifty came, and crowded the yellow
benches OF the little church until some had
to stand outside on the mats In the aisle.
All were becomingly quiet, but the feeling
| OF strife seemed to be in the air. The
| church fair psrtisans felt confident. to judge
by the looks OF their leaders, that they would
prevail over the conservatives.
The stricter ones came determined to
overcome the immora innovations and
their severe looks showed how strongly
they felt on the subject, Old men who
had earned exemption from more than
an occasional venture out to church were
to be seen in their seats. and their wives
as well, caparisoned 10 solemn Sabbath
hats, with beading Of jet and black plumes
that rose like the crest Of some warlike
headgear.
One look around The plain house of wor-
ship showed why the church fair was
wanted to add a few redeeming features to
the little interior The best that could be
said was that the place was clean. The
paint on the pine benches was a good fresh
yellow. The soft wood floor was bleached
by recent deluges of soap and water. 'Ihe
alcove OF the altar was done in new shiny
wall paper that count erfeited smooth heWn
masonry. The long lean cushions that
initiated the hard grain of the benches
were, evidently by he hands Of the women
oft he congregation scented with lavender.
Pastor Meury opened the service as usual.
A prayer in German and one OF the old
Lutheran hymns were followed by the
ermon The pastor turned over his black
Iattered Bible, and under his hand was the
German text about the money changers
in the temple. The pastor. a norld, thick
shouldered man, started TO address mis-
audience. The rows Of big faces turned
up TO him remained mild in expression.
The pastor against his Above Of masonry
wallpaper spoke loud enough for the deafest
old fellow in the rear row TO hear without
putting a hand to his ear, but the pastor
spoke as placidly a. II he were givlng out
prizes in Sunday h
It was for the congregation TO decide the
whole matter, he admitted. but ne c1uIo
should into the temple Of the Lord come
the machinery Of gain. In the church II
was a question of another sort Of soil und
haben.S In any place gambling was out o.
place, vet how much in the most respected
place for Christians was 1t amiss.
while | would not fail in this way tc
sneak out my ideas" concluded the pastor
vet you must hear from both sides theiI
aeiyes." He leaned on his Great Book and
recognized other speakers who followed.
All spoke in much the same spirit al
their leader. His words seemed to nave
carried the cause. The speakers were cage
10 repeat and to follow out his ideas, bu
their most earnest words were not hare
enough TO assail the feelings OF the deacon
who now sat all alone. the single remaining
advocate Of the innovation, and smiled
the stole smile of one misunderstood.
The speakers warmed mp TO the SUD-
> iect and treated it infinitely. II wheels
, OF chance were out Of place in their, church
: one argued, rafies and bean guessing con.
tests were also, and for good reasons. which
he went into. A y%oungish man who looket
: like a ~scrupulous bookkeeper came TO hi
) feet and unrolled a finely written scroll
which he proceeded to read. 1t was
careful consideration Of the whole matte
from its broader, /. e., philosophical pom
Of view"
, The last man to speak was an elder, VIII
, mumbIed and hardly could be heard. HI
l kept his feet only long enough to expires
a brief but fervent hope tina their beloved
> house OF worship would not be PollutsS
by the inroads OF the fair. But his ag
and hating manner gave his words a certain
: authority.
V A standing vote was taken. Two deacon
stalked up and down the aisle and counte'
. all who stood to show that they were againe
: the proposed fair. The originator OF tn
: scheme was one OF these deacons. Every
u body was counted, even a pew full OF younI
T girls who changed from up TO down sewers
times, and appeared equally unready L
; vote either way, and even an embarrasse'
? Young man with large and abnormall,
shiny shoes who remained seated a full
T. minute after his girl stood up, but hnall
: looked up at her profile and blushingly go
= up also.
Z Only one man stood for the fair propose!
. and he was the deacon who had started
: and stayed by il to the end.
= Against are us, announced the pastor
% in favor is 1, and l may hope that he ma
q o come TO see it In our wayt The nee
: Of this money" he concluded, we hav
much exaggerated. Who has the house
be wants soon the piano. Who gets wha
he wanted, he finds soon something NOR
to desire. Here have We our church ate