Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-12-01


us II something was wrong--us II thuse
who are protesting christians. had not done
their duty.
Oflhose who ore arrested for the com.
mission Of crimes and Offences, how many
have in g rly and in more advanced life
been regular attendants upon the preaching
of the Gospel? How many Of them could
afford 10 go 10 church in these days of
fushlon, and extravaganza. and splendid
churches, and rich religion? Do the poor
of our large rowns and cities have the
Gospel preached 10 them? Can they
afford to 60 TO Church? How is it? Let
US look at this matler-it is one of serious
importance.
Fifteen or twenty individuals who have
an abundance Of this worlds goods and
dollars, get together, and resolve lha: the
old church is old; that it is no. COOP
looking; that il is incovnenent; that il is
not nice; not aristocratic enough; and,
therefore, resolved, that we will sell
out and build fine church, They do So;
subscribe $4,000 $4,000 or $4,000;
lay the foundation; finish the house; dedl-
cate it 10 the service of Him who is Lord
OF The poor as we'll as of tine rich; rent the
seats from $500 to $4,000 year, and
have very select, well dressed, gen:eel
congregations; and manage things in their
| own way. And when on sabbath they
ride in fine carriages 10 church. and roll
clouds of dust from flashing wheels into the
eyes and upon the Sunday. .go,to meeting
clothes of more humble citizens, and drop,
in careless ease, into seats softly cushioned,
and listen TO superb music from paid singers,
and from magnificent organ, and to n
learned discourse, with very little divinity,
from n popular pastor, they thank God,
that they are not as some other folks are
-ana6le to go to meeting.
Now, q man who works for 75cts or
81 80 per day-us the great mass Of our
laboring men do from year to year; and
our laboring women from 75cts to ST. so
per week, they cannot afford to go to our
large churches neither are they wanted
there. There are no free churches of their
creed and faith and doctrine, and they are
absolutely shut out from the preaching OF
The Gospel; and they seldom if ever receive
visit from a Gospel minister, as the cler.
gy Of the supper len'' have all they can do
10 write sermons, and visit their own we'll
fed focks-and what is the result? Now
the class OF whom We speak. become care.
less, Indifferent believe themselves neg
lecIed, and looked upon MS poor-inferior
-menials;- pride is wounded better feel
ings are chilled. -hoiies, sympalhies are
Observation-Disclosures principles cease TO in
fiuence-children grow up in neglecl Of Ill
the observances of home pie,y-lhere Is no
family prayer-n7 songs of praise-and ir-
religion and disregard of the Sabbath, take
The place of piely and church going;-
and then come little offences, and immor.
alities, and vice ans crime, ano the jail and
prison-and in,emperance and pouperism.
Now. The physical and the moral we'll
being Of society, call aloud for free church.
es. We must have them. Protection ,c
life and property demand them-and in
these free churches, we need ministers who
are not only learned in all tho languages
and sciences and arts, and literature, bu
men OF God, who are "mighty in The Scrip
lures" who will preach Jesus and Hin
crucified," and let all the miserable ism.
go to the Devil where they belong. Give
US free churches, und men of prayer, ano
warm hearts, and clear heads, such men a.
the Apostles of old, 10 preach in them; ant
then let them preach to the hearts and 10 the
understanding, and not to the heuds of the
people, then wilsociety be improved; and the
man and woman Of labor will take the chill
dren of their love 10 The house of worship, ane
pay according 10 their means, for theisuppor
of the church and the institutions ofreligion
They will love the Sabbath, because i, wa:
made for man-and the influences Of relig
ion. because they purify and bless.
We know there are churches where the
poor can 60 to church-and pay according
as they have ubiltiy-lhe Methods. and
the Catholic. Blu, all are no. Methodist
and Catholic-would they were in this re-
spect.
Will our men of means-of large hearts
and liberal purses think of these matters.
HOWARD.