Crossword-Solution: PEWHOLDERS 10 letters, 1 clue 🏆 scrabble score: 19

This electric age is too rapid and wise to gulp down the obsolete doctrine of ancient fanaticism, and the preachers of to-day are painfully alarmed at the decreasing number of pewholders and patrons, who once listened to their rigmarole platitudes or eloquent dissertations on the power and locution of an unknown God.

Perhaps it was these people that he had in mind when Plymouth Church could not hold half the people who desired to attend the services, and he appealed to the pewholders to stay away evenings and give their pews to strangers, inaugurating thus a custom which has continued to the present time.

Ten minutes before the hour of service they are conducted to seats, and the pewholders who come after that time must take their chances with the rest.

The church building has always been crowded, so that pewholders were admitted at the side doors by ticket.

Pewholders in sympathy with the rector’s views doubled up with each other or threw their sittings open freely to the public.