FREE SEATS AT ST. MICHAEL'S.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13105, 2 May 1908, Page 6

FREE SEATS AT ST. MICHAEL'S.

TO THE EDITOR OF "THE P»KSS." Sir, —During Monday evening, at St. Michael's Schoolroom, we were again treated to a speech and resolution on the vexed question of free seats. Now, as a regular worshipper at that church, for many years, 1 would like to say ithat the matter seems to mc to be so easily settled by the vestry writing to all the seat-holders and asking them if they are willing to give up their seats and still contribute the same ac they now do, and then all those non-seat-holders to bo asked to state exactly how much they will contribute, ©o that the upkeep of the church shall not euffor. But tne real parishioners are few ; and those are numerous who attend and yet live in other parishes, and they could always get out of subscribing (if they wished), and yet expect a free eeat whenever they came. Personally, I prefer a paid &eat, as one then has a real interest in the church, and more inducement to attend regularly, and one feels part and parcel of it, which I, at least, could not do if I had to sit all over the churoh, perhaps in a draught, or where one could not oven hoar. I have belonged to churches where a few of us have had to pay much larger sums down than wo could afford, while others far better off escaped their duty, and had free soate at our expense, and the sam« thing would happen at St. Michael's, ac not even the churches can be now wituout money. We are aware that the Bishop of this diocese would like to see all the churches with free sittiaigs, and that his clorgy are in duty bound to bring it before thoir flocks. A fair way for a Church member to support his churoh is to take a sitting if he can possibly afford it, and those who really cannot, can always obtain seats at St. Jdichadfß im any part of the church efl soon as tho voluntary begins. 1 am afraid tho real reason for a good many wishing for free eeats is that now the cost of living is so much higher, they* want to get their religion cheap. When the time comes that I cannot always sit in the same seat at St. . Michael's, I shall have to pick up my books and cushion and take my departure to some other church- where I can get my own seat, oven if I have to leave tho Anglican communion, which I have loved all my long life. The principle of ftree seats Lj good, but principle alon-ewill not support tlie Church.—Yours etc., ANGLICAN.