Puck — January 29, 1879 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page satirizes tax-exempt church property and wealth accumulation. The central image shows a large church labeled "Million Dollar Churches Untaxed" alongside "The People's Homes and Property" — contrasting religious institutions' financial power against ordinary citizens' modest dwellings. The upper cartoons mock how churches profit from life events: "At Infancy" (baptisms), "At our Marriages" (wedding fees), with one panel showing "$125.00 Yours in Christ — E. Murphy," suggesting clergy charge substantial fees. The bottom caption questions: "Increase and multiply at 15 cents apiece for Begobs, are wez millionaires?" — sarcastic commentary on churches accumulating wealth through routine religious services while remaining exempt from taxation that burdens regular citizens. The satire critiques institutional religious hypocrisy and economic inequality.