It is said that like causes will produce like results in all ages of the world. This is true, both in a moral and temporal point of view. If we sow wheat, corn, barley, thistles, we shall reap the same. Whatever our doings are, it will bring forth its legitimate fruit. “For whatever a man soweth that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting.” This has been clearly demonstrated in many places where costly churches have been built. The spirit of emulation has taken possession of the people, especially in church building. They desire greatly to go beyond their neighbor in this; and in most cases, they have gone in their planning operations far beyond their means; consequently, they are compelled to resort to the lottery department, pic-nics, sociables, banquetings, excursions, ice-cream, strawberry, and necktie parties, to carry forward the _grand_ enterprise. One case will illustrate the many of this character; and yet, the results may not in every case be as sad as the one I now refer to. But nevertheless, pride, worldly conformity, spiritual death, will follow all such departures from the old landmarks. A society in this city have been struggling along for some years, in all the ways mentioned above, to raise money to build a costly church. The last banquet this society held (which was of the necktie order) proved very disastrous to some members of the church in their domestic relations, if not their eternal ruin. I took the following extract from the Sunday _Mercury_, which shows the nature of the seed sown: “Of Twentieth street M. E. Church, Philadelphia, the brethren and sisters have been having a calico festival. By Sister Boyer, in New Jersey, the wrinkle was learned. Of the pattern corresponding to her apron, each sister deposited a gentleman’s necktie. By the gentleman, for a quarter of a dollar, the sister whose apron the article matched the pattern of his purchase, he was permitted ‘piously’ to ‘treat.’ By Brother Broin the party was opened. Sweet Sister Carrigan the brother led out. The more neck-ties of different patterns a brother purchased, the more sisters of _course_ he ‘treated.’ Among the heavy buyers were Brother Kent and Brother Hoffman. What worried Sister Hoffman was that the religious writer of the _Mercury_ might ‘be about.’ Of Sister Busby the apron was the handsomest. Brother Roberts on six neck-ties made investment. So, also, did Bartine. Altogether the festival was a success.”