Litchfield enquirer., 1856-01-10
81 Write to you. Young Men,.

A few Sundays ago We listened TO an
excellent discourse TO young men, in one
of the churches in this city. The lamenia-
ble absence Of that class Of persons from
all religious services on the Sabbath, has
been subject to which we have given some
attention for years past. and we had the
curiosity--if il deserves no better name-to
look about. and see how large an audience
the preacher had of those to whom HE
discourse was addressed. The number was
exceedingly small. though probably ne large
as wilIaverage in the other churches. And
as we SAT there, rejecting upon the dangers
which threaten our country from this rap.
idly increasing neglect and abuse Of the
Sabbath, we thought some day we would
preach one of our sermons upon the same
subject. believing that after oil we have
the ear Of more of that class, perhaps, ihaa
all the ministers in the city put together.
And now young n,en--you never who
darken the door Of church on Sunday. who
swaggef through the streets with cigar
in your mouth, who swear little, perhaps
good deal. who drink some rum, and
pride yourself upon being zone Of the
b'hoys," will you indulge US with word
in your ear 2 In a period Of years which
win seem incredibly short, when you ar-
rive at your majority. your class will COM
pose very powerful. and it may be,
controlling influence in the management
public affairs. Did youev think Of thati
and if you did, did you realize your respon-
sibility in the mat,eff Judging from the
present appearance Of our churches, when
the present generation Of men has passed
away, the pews will be left pretty much
to the femele portion of the race, If. indeed,
they do not imbibe the :n6del spirit Of the
age, and leave them to become houses Of
merchandise, il no, dens Of thieves.
The infdelity so rife here. is not the in.
fidelity OF the intellect. which is becoming
too popular among scholars off certain
sceool, but il is not less dangerous. They
who neglect the Sabbath and its institutions
here, are not those who have thought much.
Theirs is The infdeliiy Of indifference and
the want Of thought-ihe infdeliiy that
keeps away from all chance of correction,
which is not, and cannot be reached, either
by the argument, OF the warning Of the
pnIpi, and its victims will live their al.
lotied time, then drop into their dark, hope.
less graves and be forgotten, while their
spiritual eyes will open upon world of
joys Of which they are untitled to share.
Bot there is accuse for alarm lying OUT
side OF consequences to individuals. In
nations where inidelity, whether It be Of
the intellect or passions, has gained tho
ascendancy, and the Sabbath and the in
situations Of religion have fallen into neg.
lect. national min has followed. Our
institutions are based upon the principles
Of Christianity. and when they have no
place 10 the hearts Of the people the glori.
Gus superstruciure will crumble TO dust.
II therefore becomes matter Of vital
importance, IN a national as we as q per.
sonal point Of view, that all. the old and
the young alike. stand by the institutions
Of Christianity attend on lis ministra.ions,
contribute to its support, and open their
minds to the reception of its truths. We
beg Of young men who ever think Of any.
thing, TO think Of this, and put themselves
ia way Of attaining character which
shall give to those who are passing away,
an assurance that when the burdens and
responsibilities .of sustaining our institute
tons shall fall upon their shoulders they
shall be bravely and worfhily borne.--Es.
a A keen observer well says that
Finance has language Of its own lts
,hisves are not thieves. but d.faaiser. lie
refusal to pay IL not knavery, but iigtieo-
tion. Having more notes sfoat than means
10 pay them. Is being short Of currency;
the world calls it poverty and insolvency.
Pawning Is hypothesoiion shining and
borrowing is fnanciering.. Swindling 10
Incorporating; taking mems and women's
money TO keep safely. and squandering it,
OF losing it in speculation, 10 suspending.
Leaning o her peoples m ,ney, is accommo.
dation. Paying out doubtful issues In -.
deeming their own, is reducing circulation.
Enbezzlement IL e1tending k06iiites.
Stealing state and government bonds h an
ocer-,ssue; and managing bank well, 10
contriving TO make somebody not interested
furnish means to bank upon. The votaries
Of finance never ST. al. they 0par-drdU.
They are never poor, though often cesy
clase. They never refuse 10 pay honest
1n6s -, q