The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-11-20
|UOEv|LLE A
| FEATURE IN A
EW YORK CHURCH

rw York, Nov. 20.-The vaudeville
ring at the Central Baptist church
Vest 42d street Sunday night was the
cal glasses, 1.-THE largest and most
Iplete set OF musical glasses ever
cd before the public" said the an
ncement on the bulletin board in the
bule.
he regular congregation. increased by
ons that wanted vaudeville enter
ment without going TO Hammer
ms. listened TO the. manipulation OF
glasses by little blond man and
med TO be pleased
|here was no leVlty about the enter
ment which the Rev. Frank M Good
II furnished his congregation. II was
very staid and proper, and the ser
switched from the Scripture read
to finger work by the little blond
easily and without a jar
|astor Goodchild has made up hi5
d that he isn't going to let Sunday
|ht shows take his congregation away
IN him without making a fight. and
tied vaudeville at the Central Baptist
d a few stunts by a young woman
tier a week ago The whistling girl
10 such "A hit with the congregation
/ the success of the scheme was as
led from the start.
he church. on the south side OF Forty
|ond street. between Seventh and
|hth avenues. is in the heart OF the
|atrical district. The Lyric and Belas-
/ are just across the street. Hammer
MS at the corner and the New Ans
pam, Liberty, Iiacketts and the Amer
p 10 the west along the same side OF
street The theatres that gave Sun
i night concerts not only cut down the
| OF Mr.. Goodchild's congregations. but
ietimes, In the summer, the songs of
ragtime singers broke i'm on. church
vice.
me night last summer when the church
|dows were wide open and a show was
ng fun tilt at the regular vaudeville
sc OF the corner the organ began to
" soft. low offertory music and the
|r vestrymcn started the rounds with
ir baskets. Suddenly there hoated in
ough the windows snatched Of a song
blackface artist was singing on the
'toria roof. II aim got no money, but
goin' To get some. for my baby,
honey. my Zulu" Most people in the
Igregation tried 20 look solemn and
tended they hadn't heard the ditty.
IL wasn't any use. The titters and
lckles ran all around the church.
was about that time that Mr.. Good
Id made up his mind that he would
'e 10 enter into dignihed competition
n the theatres and he submitted to the
stees a scheme TO provide counter at
ctions that would keep the people
ay from the theatres and get them into
church. The trustees gave DR.. Good
Id an allowance for the purpose.
Using 81 glasses tuned without water"
the card on the church bulletin board
d. the blond man went through his
Mt four times at last nights service.
rking I'm front of a table to the right Of
pulpit. He went at the job in a brisk
inesslike way just after the pastor and
congregation got through with the re-
nsivc reading First he played The
Il Chord" After the offertory he play.
The Palms and during other parts
the service he gave Lead, Kindly
ht' and Nearer. My God. To Thee"
r. Goodchld says that anything that
attract crowd without marring tho
redness OF worship is permissible and
tihablc.
r. Goodchild wa annoyed by 4 story
a paper last week which said that his
whistler was a professional vaude-
ian. "It was a SANDER" said the pas
heatedly. Everybody that we will
C here 10 perform will be Christian,
fearing worshippers. That's just
IRE VIC draw the line.
trust" said he, that our little adver-
ment will be generally we'll received.
music we will introduce will be sweet.
and yodly. Surely there can
no objection 10 the introduction Of in
Iments which are ordinarily for the
pose of leV!ty but which may be con-
rated for y good purpose"
or next Sunday night Dr. Goodchild
a headliner.