Adelphi Hotel

Last month's journey to the great city of Liverpool cost only four pounds on the bus, which enabled me to stay over. I booked a room at the famous Adelphi, once considered the most luxurious British hotel outside London. Sadly, it has suffered from a deal of bad publicity regarding quality, health and safety, with various press stories and investigations damaging this long established hotel’s once envied name. Although I endured one minor incident during my stay (the door card stopped working), one member of staff, Jayraj, courteously and professionally put it right.

Perhaps because of its imperfect reputation, I could afford to stay there. A great name increases demand and raises prices; a questionable reputation has the opposite effect. So for a modest forty-two pounds per night, I stayed in a hotel that was once the preserve of the wealthy and aristocratic.

The Church of Jesus Christ (rather than a particular denomination or building) has a generally poor reputation. Considered in Europe to be intolerant or out of touch, in the Far East to be too Western and subversive; in the Arab world too idolatrous and heretical, and in North America too Republican and conservative, she suffers a bad name. Yet she is made up of Christ’s beloved, those who shall inherit the earth upon His return. She is made up of a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. While her prospects are splendid though her name is poor, she is open to all who will come.