The State of the Churches

OPERATIC SINGING IN THE CHURCHES

The N. Y. Observer says: SOC 13.6

“The newspapers, sacred and profane, the English and American, are just now giving their attention to the invasion of our churches by operatic singers. Even our sober-minded friends of the Philadelphia Presbyterian, under the significant head of ‘Shameful,’ and on the authority of some other paper, says: SOC 13.7

“A few Sundays ago, in one of the New York Presbyterian churches, the place of the regular prima donna was temporarily supplied, during her absence, by another. The new voice was the subject of conversation, as some of the worshipers beguiled their homeward way, thus: ‘Who was she?’ ‘Who can she be?’ The answer was, She is a young timid girl, quite unaccustomed to such a congregation. Did you notice how she trembled?’ It came out the next day that the timid, young girl was one of the performers in the ‘Black Crook!’ SOC 14.1

“The ‘Black Crook’ is something or other, we know not what, that is going on nightly in one of our minor theatres, and is said to be the most indecent of the spectacles, but suited to the present tastes of theatre-goers. They have their theatre in Brooklyn, over the water from us, called the Academy of Music, and one of the newspapers says: SOC 14.2

“Miss Florence A. Rice, the favorite cantatrice of Dr. ---’s Presbyterian church, had a splendid benefit concert at the Academy on Monday night. She was assisted by Pattison, Thomas, Simpson, and Mme. Martinez. The audience was very large and proportionately enthusiastic. SOC 14.3

“The regular opera is beginning to feel the effect of this church rivalry. Our Academy of Music was opened last Monday evening, after being closed a week or two, on account of the strike of the chorus singers. On Monday a young gentleman called upon a lady friend, and asked if she would go with him to the opera that evening. SOC 14.4

“‘Oh, no!’ said she, ‘I went twice yesterday.’ “‘Why, you forget,’ he said; ‘yesterday was Sunday.’ “‘Yes, I know,’ she answered, ‘but I went to the holy opera!’” SOC 14.5

The Boston Herald, of Jan. 2, says: SOC 14.6

“A Methodist church is finishing at Washington, D. C., costing $200,000. Pews are made in it for the President, etc. Windows to be memorial, or historical, commemorating great men, and great events of the age. Altar and pulpit from cedar and fir wood, brought from Mount Lebanon. SOC 14.7

The same paper of a later date, also says: SOC 14.8

“The Methodists have dedicated the most magnificent church, probably, in the world, at Wilmington, Del. Bishops Scott, Ames, and Simpson were present.” SOC 14.9

The Earnest Christian, on such matters, says, and with all the truth on its side: SOC 15.1

“There is a great rage for fine church edifices. * * * Buildings that are large enough for the purposes for which a house of worship is intended, are sold for breweries, or some other base purpose. The arguments used for such a course are, ‘If we do not have a fine church the rich will leave us.’” SOC 15.2

“What would john wesley say?—A correspondent of an exchange, writing from Newark, N. J., says: The N. J. Methodist Conference has just closed its sessions, which drew together a large number of clergymen. This denomination is eclipsing all other, strange to say, in splendid church edifices, having but just completed a second costly house, in which is a profusion of stained glass and elaborate architecture, and, not the least noticeable, a very heavy organ. Whether John Wesley would turn over in his grave at seeing all this, I cannot say, nor is it possible to predict the ultimate effect of this tendency upon Methodism.”—Michigan Christian Herald. SOC 15.3

The N. Y. Independent giving a report of a missionary meeting in a western city, says: SOC 15.4

“It was almost a failure for want of numbers, and this the writer would fain attribute to the rainy evening had he not learned that hundreds had failed to get seats at the opera that night, and that a party given by one of the church members the same night was numerously attended.” SOC 15.5

Says the World’s Crisis: SOC 15.6

“There appears to be an active competition between the church and the world, as to which shall furnish for unsanctified human nature the most attractive amusements. In appeal to taste, the church may justly claim the verdict. In but few communities can the other resorts of fashion vie in magnificence with the so-called houses of worship.” SOC 15.7