The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1915-10-14

live in the total interests Of the com,
munity, the larger life of the people
L 1t is not its historic antiquity which
affords a church its chief claim to sup
port. Nor is its cleverness in excita-
ton of popular interest, as with moral
sensations and revivals and crowds
going to win for it the priority.
at is only ten years ago and a little
more that a deacon of one of our
strong New England churches In
showing me about the property, open
ed the door into the new kitchen mar
rowly and apologized for having such
an institution under the sacred roof
it was a concession to modernism that
grieved him to the quick. How fast
this employment of the sociable and
the amusing is becoming our church
task almost equally with attention to
the spiritualities of the old days
Enter the latest parish house and
where are you? Billiard tables, bas-
ket ball cage, gymnasium equipment,
closets containing the regalia OF
Youthful secret societies-truly it
looks very secular. But did we not
learn theoretically years ago under
the tutelage of the new order OF social
prophets that there was no distinction
between the sacred and the secular,
and that the end of moral endeavor
was to use the world without abusing
it? Now we are applying our theory
so far as we have the courage and the
means to do it in our local habitat. In
the main it is well, ordering the en-
terprise always with due discretion.
"But am | mistaken in sounding
note of caution in respect of the peril
of envy directed urbanward among
our average rural and small town
churches? For example, we all want
Parish Houses. Don't! We can't af-
ford either to build or maintain them.
In most instances we must use what
we have fixed over, and what we can
afford though the elders SILVER at the
dents in the walls of the vestry or
chapel and stuffed pane of glass or
two pro tempore. Several years ago
saw a chapel carpet go quickly to
rents to the distress of the Ladies Aid
Society. But it was better to hear the
feet of scampering children in that
chapel than to save its carpet. And
now to the satisfaction Of all is the
polished hardwood floor. And, dare |
ell it, at our last Sunday school social
some simple dances thereon were
started, apparently without premedi-
alton, that floor was so tempting; and
he minister said never a word. What
vas there for him to say, when all his
PASTORAL days he has been preaching
hat the fine art Of living is in know
ng how to discriminate?
aside from the point in behalf OF
economy made against the parish
Iouse, there is also even in the case OF
ur larger churches which can finance
he investment, the question if church
nifty will not be better served some
ines, the fellowship of the whole
,hristian community more success
ully promoted, by utilizing more 10y
lily and supporting more generously
he union parish institution and house
,hich in not few Of our communi-
les already exists, as where we have
he very serviceable building and
quipment Of the Y. NJ. c. A., with its
ecretary and physical director virtu-
lily serving as assistant pastors Of
TT united churches.
at would be sorrowful reconstruc-
ion Of the church, with its history and
raditions, if our leadership hence
orth we're to be merely one Of affairs,
usiness administration. There hath
assed glory from the earth when |