1886.] TRANSACTIONS. 25 



ing-honse, and thereby rigidly restricted to "purposes of religions 

 worship," should in no-wise render unto Csesar the things that 

 are Caesar's. 



Do the "most straitest" claim that, from those cited, little 

 should be expected and that their modes of worship, if inex- 

 plicable, are at least characteristic. How then shall be inter- 

 preted that wild license of faith and performance which sub- 

 stituted "Don Muniu" for the lullaby that damns infants and 

 predestines the Saints ! The Statutes insist that "portions of such 

 houses appropriated fur purposes other than religions worship 

 shall be taxed," etc., etc. Now, hearken to the novel liturgy of 

 entire exemption that helps the Parish of the Centre to "gain the 

 whole world, and" ? 



Picture to yourselves, for an instant, the meeting between the 

 spirits of that strict old Calvinist, Daniel Waldo — our munificent 

 Founder, — and Abadil — a Moorish Prince ! Allah! 11 Allah! 

 What a duet! And how queer must have echoed the refrain 

 from that choir of Fore-ordination ! All this, too, for "Thirty 

 cents ; children, half price." How appropriate, after all, that 

 the primitive and less ornate house of worship should be wrested 

 from its dedication and perverted to the more lucrative uses of 

 Saddlery ! That ancient facture of silver shrines for Diana could 

 not have conduced more to the divine glory, — granting that it 

 were more remunerative. 



Do the Statutes mean anything, — or are they intended to be 

 violated by all but Horticulturists ? The Reverend Clergy — 

 those middle-men of Protestantism ! shout themselves hoarse 

 over certain laws of their peculiar selection that impose no 

 restraint upon themselves because they exact no self-denial. 

 Should they not set their own Houses (of Worship !) in order ? 

 Would it not become them to be a little more diffident in view of 

 this incessant and wanton infraction of the spirit and letter of 

 the law of Taxation by the active members of their congrega- 

 tions % When all shall assume their proper share the conmion 

 burden will be alleviated for all. Until that time shall come, it 

 behooves us to insist that this Society shall not be singled out 

 to be fleeced, for the especial benefit of those wiio are more 

 selfish or less honest. Tour Secretary was ever firmly of opinion 



