Year: 1869

Fashiomable "Religion" Rebuksd.


At the sale at Grace Church, on Mon
day evening and Tuesday, the prices
obtained for sittings in that house of
worship were greater, we believe, than
any ever realized in Chicago. The pew
admitted to be the best went off to j.
Mason Loomis, at the modest figure of
Of 90, $50. he having gallantly bid $3.50
down to more moderate rates. the de


ing closing by knocking off No. 136 to
Dr. E. M. Hale, the abOrtionist, at the
extraordinary low sum of $4O0. Ei


It is clearly the right of any number
of men and women of Chicago, associa-
ted under any name, to build such tem-
pie as they please, to express the force
and fervency Of their religious ideas;
and we may not complain of what they
do If any men are moved by any spir-
it to pay 50, $50 for pew, or if any are
80 lowly that S400 limits their capabili-
ties, theirs is the right to do as they
please with their own. But while indul


ging in the conceits of ecclesiastical ar
chitecture, the sweet strains of operatic
music, the luxury of house complete
in all It's appointments, all in the name
and for the glory of God, it is we'll
enough for them to remember that the
Protestant poor of Chicago are lapsing
into unbelief and darkness, because, with
the exception of the few Mission church


es, there is no place in the house Of God
for them; and that while the few Of the
pampersd classes are building theolog-
ical show boxes, are giving to religion
that tribute which hypocrisy pays to
virtue, they are, from their neglect Of
the souls and bodies whom God has give
en- US to care for, sowing the seeds of in
fidelity and disorder, which will, in due
time, bear their natural fruit. No man
who labors with his hands will find
place in Grace Church. We do not say
that such would be turned away from its
door. A poor woman, the child OF toll,
who has given six days OF the week to
her task, might, if the sexton is not
boor and bully, find corner in which
her humble raiment would not be
brought into too bold relief by contrast
with the infinite gewgagery of her richer
sisters; but she would not be welcome
twice She has not 80, $50 for q seat;
she has never practiced child murder
for trade, hence even S400 are want
ing; and as the Gospel in these days is
expensive, she must be turned off to
make room for the glittering one who
can pay. What we say of Grace church
is true of all like establishments in Chi
cago and throughout the whole country :.
In them certain number of lawyers,
doctors, politicians, editors, spectators,
merchants, and sometimes abortionists,
meet to loll away an hour and half OF
each Sunday, on luxuriously cushioned
seats, listening to words which may be
comforting to hear, but which have bat
infinitesimal effect in the control of the
every day life. In all of them, the men
who labor, no matter at what, nor how
faithfully and intelli gently, are practic-
ally forbidden-just as effectualy for
bidden as if an angel with flaming
sword stood at the entrance. And this
in all our cities is the curse of Protest
antism which once regenerated the world;
and what is worse, this practical denial of
the essence Of the gospel taught by Him
who had not where to lay His head, is
making its way into the villages and ru-
raj districts so rapidly and to such an
extent, that thousands of good men are
looking upon the final triumph Of the
Protestant cause as a thing that must
wait the lapse of another era, in which
Popery and slavery are again the rulers
of the world. Oh men who call your
selves Christians! what spectacle is this!


In the older days, when a church was
built for the honor of our Maker, it was
for His honor indeed. It acknowledged
no ownership in man. Those who gave to
it sent in their gifts because they were
conscientiously impelled. No matter
what the value of these, nor the social
state of the giyers, in the walls of that
sacred edifice all men were alike. There
were neither privileges for the rich, nor
sights and disabilities for the Door. Be-
fore God and that altar, the rich and
poor were one. O. In his presence the
gaudyY raiment, the glittering jewels, the
naughty mien, and the arrogance of
wealth, were less than the humble garb
and the consciousness of poverty.
Prince and peasant knelt together to ac


kn owledge their brotherhood. and to
gether to receive the sacred proof that
God is the kind and loving father of all
mankind. Grace Church is very well.
It is an ornament to the neighborhood
in which it stands, and no doubt source
of pride and qualification to those who
built it. But sweep pew rents and sales
out of it as the iron troopers sweep out
the idols; open wide the doors; inscribe
on the fronE-This is the house of God
| Let those who will come int and then see
how wide and how benificent its inf1u
ence may becom Chi. Post. March Il
+ The explorers at Jerusalem have
made further discoveries of undergr ound
| structures-part of the ancient city
Which have for ages been hidden by &C