Demoine courier., 1856-07-24
"a write Unto You, Young Men,

A few Sundays ago We listened 10 an
excellent discourse 10 young men, in
one Of The churches 10 this city. The
lamentsb!e absence Of that class Of per-
sons from all religious services on the
Sabbath, has been q subjects which we
have given some attention for years past.
and we had the curiosity ii il deserves
no better .name-to look about, and see
how large an audience The preacher had
Of those TO whom the discourse was ad.
dressed. The number was exceedingly
S mall, though probably as large as will
average in the Other churches. And as
We sat there, rejecting upon the dangers
which threaten our country from this
rapidly increasing neglec, and abuse of
the Sabbath. we thought some day we
would preach oae of our upon
the same subject, believing tina, alter all
we have The ear of more Of that Class
perhaps, than all HE ministers in The
city put together.
And now, young men-you who ne1-
er darken The doors of u church. on Sun.
day, who swagger through The streets
"ho S'5si" )oui uiou'hs WIN swear
a litle, perhaps good deal. who drirk
some rum, and pride yourself on being
lone of the b'hoys," wilt you indulge
us with a word in your ear! In a period
Of years which will seem incredibly
short when you arrive a. your majority.
your class will compose a YER, power
1ul, and it may be, a controlling influence
ia. the Management, of public AFFAIRS
[ Did you ever think OF thati-and if you
did: did you realize responsibility in the
matter! Jcging from the present APP
pearanee OF our churches, when the
present generation OF men has passed
away, the pews will be left pretty much
to the female portion Of the race, if, it,
deed, they do not imbibe thu infJel
spirit; OF The aye, and leave them 10 oe-
come houses of merchandise, if no. dens
e thieves. IL g
+. The inidelity SO rife here. is not the
~inhdelity Of the intellect, which Is be-
coming hoo popular among scholars Of a
certain school, bu. lie nof less dangerous.
They who neglect The Sabbath and its
Institutions here, are NOT those who have
thought much. Theirs is the infdelity
Of Indifference aud The want of thought
1.-The infdelity ,hatkeeps away from
all chancs ofcorrec,ion, which is no.,
and connol be reached. either by the ar
gument or the warning of The pulpii; and
its victims viii live their allptted time,
then drop into Ozark. hopeless graves and
be forg often, while their spiritual ewes
will open q world. of which thay have
never thought, and the joys of which
they are untitled 10 share.
But there is a cause for alarm lying
outside OF consequences to individuals.
La nations where infidelity, whether j. be
o. The i~ntsllecs or passions, has gained
the ascendancy. aud the Holy Sabbath
and the institutions OF religion have fall
len into neglect, national ruin has follow
ed. Our institutions are based upon tho
principles of Christianity, md when
they have no place in the hearts Of the
people. the glorious superstructure will
crumbIe TO dust.
II therefore becomes q matter Of vital
importance, in a national as wei as a
personal point Of view, tina, all, the old
and the young alike. stand by the institu-
tons Of Christianity, attend on its min
istrations, contribute to its support, and
opeE their minds to the reception OF lis
tIuths. We beg Of young men who
ever think of anything. 10 think OF this,
and PHI. themselves IL a way Of attain
ing a character which shall give to those
who are passing away. an assurance
that when the burdens and responsible
ties sustaining our institutions shall fall
upon their shoulders they shall be brave
iy and worthily borne.-NashuG Tel
egraph