Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1902 — CHURCH SERVICE BY ’PHONE. [ARTICLE]

CHURCH SERVICE BY ’PHONE.

Result of Wnr Between Rival Companies in Washington, Ind. At Washington, Ind., the experiment was tried on a recent Sunday of placing telephones in the churches, giving connection with the patrons of the line, so that those who chose to hear the sermon without going to the trouble of “dressing up” for a church pw could do so. Ihe town of Washington has been in the throes of a telephone war for some time, and the strife has grown bitter. Both companies have strained every effort to win patronage. Finally the Bell Company resorted to offering church service free at home to beat its rival, the independent company. The Bell Company arranged with the preachers of the town to place telephones in all the churches, and offered connections with their subscribers throughout the town and the country. The pastors accepted tho suggestion, and the first experiment was a great success. * The advantages of the system to the church-goiug public nro obvious, and so are the disadvantages from the standpoint of the preacher. The system make* it possible for a man to sit comfortably at home, smoking bis cigar and holding his Sunday newspaper, while listening to the Scriptural discourse of his favorite preacher. If the sermoq doesn’t strike him right he doesn't have to undergo the embarrassment of getting up and leaving church. He can merely hnng up the receiver and ask central for another church and a better preacher. And if he does not believe in church collection*, or Is careless about putting hl* money into his Sunday trousers, he does not hate to look stern and . unconcerned while inwardly enraged while name persistent Icneon passes the collection box too closely to him