HOUSING AND CHURCHES.

Evening Star, Issue 18998, 21 July 1925, Page 6

HOUSING AND CHURCHES.

TO TUB EDITOR. Sir, —While having not the least intention of entering upon ain controversy, it occurs to me to make a few remarks upon the malicious attack hy “ iC.W.i l ’.” on the churches and the clergy. The clergy aro described as “well fed, well housed, and well paid,” so Unit “one wonders where Christianity starts with those,men and sell-interest ends.” Self-interest ended when these men became clergymen, for there aro few' of (hem who _ could not have earned more and have lived under better conditions had they devoted their abilities to coiniaormi pursuits. Tradesmen possess tools which few clergy can afford to buy. This is not an extravagance or luxury upon the part of tradesman, because the tools arc necessary to their trade. Respectable clothes are necessary to tne trade of a clergyman, and .some few clergymen have motor cars, not as a luxury, but as tools of their trade—that their work may be more extensive and mora expeditiously performed. The suggestion that the church’s assets, in the way of buildings “ ostensibly ” erected to the glory of God, should be sold, and the proceeds used for the poor, lias its parallel in our Lord’s own day. There was a box of precious ointment that “might have been sold for much and given to th» poor.” Two points may be noted wirh regard to that parallel, viz., that the suggestion was made by a traitor, and that, it did not meet with our Lord's commendation. —I am, etc., i CiamcHiui July 21,