Year: 1869

The Methodist and 5wedenb0rginn Churches


AssaiIesi-Thc Churches in Charge Of the


City Authorities and the Congregations Ex-


PEELED.


Some few weeks ago an account was published OF
the expulsion OF the Methodist and SwedenDorgan
congregations from their churches in Hoboken
by the city authorities under legal process, the
churches occupying portion Of the public
square which, by the decision Of the courts,
must be vacated in the interests Of the
city. The keys Of the structures were connded
by the Common Council to the chairman OF the Com
mittee on Public Grounds and Buildings, while the


Methodist congregation were allowed, by courtesy
1 s N q the ne
past week the wooden fence surrounding the
Methodist church has been almost entirely carried
OIL, the wooden stoop stripped OF one railing, the
windows IN such condition that hardly pane Of
glass remains intact the plaserng torn Off the walls
the doors shattered, and through every crevce thus
made bricks and large stones have been hurled. In
short, the building looks more like o ruin Of the
past century than church In which o congregation
wOrshipped only few weeks ago. The work OF
destruction has progressed SO steadily that nothing
viii be left but the walls and roof after few days
eleventh hour. The handsome grass plot which GOV
cred the area between the railing and the walls OF


e aas 81 xr%se SS nndeT nso
Of the sto0p small heap OF coal was discovered
which leads to the opinion that some plot laid
this gradual demolition Of the church in which
they naturally felt so much pride without
having 1t in their power to provide
remedy. The Common Council first turned them
out and then took charge OF the building, and this
charge included the responsibility OF protecting 1t
against injury. But no steps have been taken to
ferret out The perpetrators or prevent any further
damage In after times the history OF this outrage
VIII be regarded as almost incredit8be.


The Sweden00rgian church Is In much worse
condition. The doors were forced in the lamps and
furniture smashed the prayer books and bibles torn
up and the leaves strewn along the street, the
windows wrecked, the walls mutated and
the fence around the building removed to
parts unknown. Nothing 90 discredtable to
the Common Council Of Hoboken has hap
pened In the history OF the city. The out
rage is all the greater as the Swedenborgian congre
CATION submitted with good grace to the decree
which expelled them and only asked that the sacred
edifce should be protected by those who assumed
the charge Some members OF the congregation,
finding that the structure was all but rum brought
q wagon yesterday and carried or Whatever was
allowed TO remain by the wreckers. Had such an
outrage been attempted on private resi-
dence great outcry would be raised and
unceasng efforts would be made to hunt
up the OFFENDERS But here public decency
is tramped down TO such degree that no prominent
citizen s found to raise his voice in protest. The
city authorities may yet have 10 render strict
account for this desecraton committed under their
wings. II the outrage Is TO be cOnnved at because
1t aects only certain congregations the time Will
come when the truth OF the proverb will appear,
"'ris poor rule that Will not work both ways.r
The disgrace Of these acts will to be wiped out
sooner or later.