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Literary
May 5, 1790
Gazette Of The United States
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
A satirical prose piece critiquing the abundance of churches in London, portraying religion as a commercial trade managed by preachers offering diverse, competing paths to heaven, including Methodist, Moravian, and Muggletonian sects.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
CHURCHES.
London, how magnificent—how populous.
London, from the number of its churches, must be the most religious city in the world—yet the churches of London are seldom full—generally empty—For, in London, religion is a trade carried on by gospel-managers, in gospel-shops.—
One, two, three,—hundred methodist meeting-houses, in each of which the Preacher goes upon this text, "I am the way."
What, is there but one way to heaven? O, many ways—in London, there are as many ways pointed out for a man's soul, to journey towards heaven, as towards the opposite point—and each has its Overseers.
You may go to heaven by the new light, or the old light; thro the Moravian half-penny hatch—the Muggletonian foot-path—the turn-pikes of methodism, or a hundred other ways, laid down in the geography of the different preachers—but then each of these ways has its parallel, that leads to a different climate.
London, how magnificent—how populous.
London, from the number of its churches, must be the most religious city in the world—yet the churches of London are seldom full—generally empty—For, in London, religion is a trade carried on by gospel-managers, in gospel-shops.—
One, two, three,—hundred methodist meeting-houses, in each of which the Preacher goes upon this text, "I am the way."
What, is there but one way to heaven? O, many ways—in London, there are as many ways pointed out for a man's soul, to journey towards heaven, as towards the opposite point—and each has its Overseers.
You may go to heaven by the new light, or the old light; thro the Moravian half-penny hatch—the Muggletonian foot-path—the turn-pikes of methodism, or a hundred other ways, laid down in the geography of the different preachers—but then each of these ways has its parallel, that leads to a different climate.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Religious
Social Manners
Commerce Trade
What keywords are associated?
London Churches
Religion Trade
Methodist Preachers
Paths To Heaven
Religious Sects
Satirical Critique
Literary Details
Key Lines
London, From The Number Of Its Churches, Must Be The Most Religious City In The World—Yet The Churches Of London Are Seldom Full—Generally Empty—For, In London, Religion Is A Trade Carried On By Gospel Managers, In Gospel Shops.
One, Two, Three,—Hundred Methodist Meeting Houses, In Each Of Which The Preacher Goes Upon This Text, "I Am The Way."
You May Go To Heaven By The New Light, Or The Old Light; Thro The Moravian Half Penny Hatch—The Muggletonian Foot Path—The Turn Pikes Of Methodism, Or A Hundred Other Ways, Laid Down In The Geography Of The Different Preachers—But Then Each Of These Ways Has Its Parallel, That Leads To A Different Climate.