GOD AND MAMMON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10425, 24 April 1897, Page 2 (Supplement)

GOD AND MAMMON.

HOW THEY ARE SOMETIMES

CURIOUSLY COMBINED. Or devices to bring tho masses to church there is no end. All sorts of methods — nob stopping short of polite bribery—have been framed for this beneficent purpose; but the masses still resist the attraction, and the Church has not yet captured the democracy.

The Salvation Army may be laid to come nearer to the " world" in its work of Christianising the people than any other body. This organisation, with its branches in almost all parts of the civilised world, is officially associated with many branches of industry, such as matchmaking and similar trades, and from these sources alone the revenuo of the Army" amounts to several thousands a year. The business element is indeed a dominant factor in nineteenth century Christianity. In some of the large towns in England a week is hardly ever allowed to pass without a bazaar or " fair" in aid of some church, and the amount of money changing hands at church and chapel bazaars in the course of a year, could ib be reckoned up, would startle most readers.

A novelty in this direction occurred a few weeks ago at Gateshead, where the walls were adorned with a conspicuous poster announcing a "Grand Fancy Market and Carnival" in connection with a local church, The entertainments at this carnival included "skirt-dancing," "side-splitting competitions for ladies and gentlemen," and a "grand comic oporetta." The "carnival" was opened by the Vicar of Holy Trinity. During the 1896 cycling season, too, when the cycle fever raged and reigned in England, every effort was made to attract the cycliafe to church or chapel, announcements that bicycles were stored during the service being quite common, One enterprising clergyman spent his Sundays cycling through the suburbs of London, preaching " cycling" sermons at points along the route. 0 The most remarkable means ever tried of securing large congregations at church services was adopted by a popular East End clergyman who rosined nome time ago. He was colloquially known as tho " Dossers' Parson, the " Smoking Parson," and so on, the names being suggested by the curious character of the services to which this clergyman invited the East End poor. " Tea and a bite for all," was one ot the attractions set out in large type on the bills advertising the services, which were addressed to "the brother that has nowhere to go, or is out of work." The churchless or workless "brother" wss invited to "come Sunday, at three o'clock, to Christ Church Hall, Hanburystreet, and have a smoko, and hear a bright address." And, as an extra inducement, there was added, in a sort of postcript: "Tobacco free for the early birds. U R welcome." " Bible, 'bacca, and baked tater evenings" woro popular events in the curate's programme, and his zeal in this direction became so warm that his more stylish friends secured his "compulsory resignation."

An incident not strictly consistent with church principles occurrod not long ago in a parish church in Lincolnshire. The vicar took occasion during the service to warmly rebuke the caretaker because the church was too cold. The man retorted that the stove was hot enough, and a sharp passage of words ensued, which ended by the vicar —a well-built man—descending from the pulpit and startling the congregation by carrying the caretaker to the stove and seating him thereon. The matter reached the county court, and the caretaker was awarded substantial damages. It is not often that a high dignitary of the Established Church wins a steeplechase, but the story is told of a certain bishop who unconsciously performed this feat. Military sports were being held in a cathedral town, when the bishop appeared on horseback. His lordship, unaware that he was on the racing track, rode on until he was startled by several horsemen shouting to him to get) out of the way. The bishop's willingness to do this was not Bhared by his horse, which joined in the race of its own freo will, and one of the most valued gifts which the bishop show? to his friends is a silver cup which the officers insisted that he should accept as a souvenir of his unique experience.