Common Sense in Church Building (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1880 edition. Excerpt: ...coverings, frescoes and stained glass pictures of saints and angels. Don't make ever)' window, panel and post different from every other, and hide the organ behind a screen, that, until it becomes familiar, will draw the wondering eyes of the congregation. A church is not an ecclesiastical art gallery. It is not necessary that we should have entertainment provided to keep us quiet before the exercises begin. The time of our attendance there should be spent in silent devotion, or else in listening to something sung or spoken, that justly claims our undivided attention. Any feature or detail about the building itself, that draws notice by its elegance or other peculiarity, is a spiritual stumbling block. Any gratification of artistic fancy that excites complacent feelings is a source of spiritual pride. We must not suffer through the want of proper light, heat and air. We must not be annoyed by conspicuously coarse work or carelessly conceived design. There must be no false economy in the use of material, either in quality or amount, but the entire structure should be severely simple--absolutely plain, with nothing to offend, and nothing to attract or hold the eye. David Dawes. MR. SILVER'S INQUIRIES. Mr. Dear Sir: --Can it be that the peculiar influence of ecclesiastical architecture is solely due to its associations with the growth of our religion? Are not the intricate mysteries and the lofty, wavering dimness inherent in pure Gothic work almost indispensable to an effective inculcation of the mysterious.truths of the Gospel? Would other forms be as grand and impressive if we had known them as consecrated for generations to Christianity? I can hardly believe it, and am curious to know what you would substitute for Gothic style and Gothic...