Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1856-10-15

II braves them till the last
Our EARLY History CoNcLUDED.-The
people of Grand Haven, in one particular
at least, have set the world around an exam-
pie well worthy of imitation. Though we
are constrained to acknowledge the progress
i've nature of the age in which we live, and
must, in fact, assent to the applicability of
the term fast to many Of its prominent
men, and women too, yet we can but depre-
cate the mobility of the present generation
in relation to conscience and religlon.I Half
century ago ministers were settled by their
respective congregations; and to think of IN
settling one who had even grown gray and
somewhat superanuated in administration OF
the good word in the midst of attentive and
reverential hearers, was thought inimical to
the interests of tho church; but to give ut
terance to such sentiment in relation to a
pastor, unsolicited on his part-unless really
ustifable grounds for change were clearly
manifest-was treason to religion itself, and
highly displeasing to its author more espe-
cially when popularity was the great incen-
tive that prompted the proposed exchange OF
an aged but faithful servant of his MASTER
upon whose reverend head sat gracefully the
frosts of age, and whose sage counsels had
for many year proved a safe guide for all
who sought wisdom at his hands, for a young
and inexperienced tyro of more modern
school Of divinity Those eleaaeace that
the plain, simple, but practical teachings Of
our Savior aud his coadjutors. Sharp's II
hes were not then considered more potent
than bibles. The low, petty subterfuges of
political stump orators were not then consid-
cred superior to the heavenly teachings that
fell from the lips Of Him " that spake as nev-
er man spake," and to use the pulpit as
rostrum from which to advocate the prime
pies of any political party, and that too upon
a day set apart for the highest and noblet
of purposes, would then not only have been
considered akin to that offence against tie
Supreme Ruler of the universe which knows
no forgiveness, but would justly have subjec-
ed the offender to the bitterest eXecrations If
an insulted assembly.
Then the faithful preacher for scores fl
years in succession administered at the cal
of his Lord and Master on the day of bis az
pontment, to Jealous people who wee
wont to wend their way from their own ru
ged hills and peaceful plains, at the invit-
ton of the old church bell, to the house De-
icated to the services Of religion alone to IT,
ten of God and eternity. On looking at tat
age of puritan simplicity and godly sincerit
and then at the present age Of duplicity aa
worldly-religious practice we are constraina
to exclaim- o tempora! 0 n'ores!
But, as before intimated, ,1he good cities
of Grand Haven have manifested a sta6il9
in religious matters worthy Of commendatm
and imitation.
Rev. VIM. NJ. Ferry, since the first setth
ment of the place, has oficiated in things d.
| vine to its inhabitants, no pecuniary rewsd
having been solicited or accepted by him frm
his congregation. What has been freely s-I
ceived has been as freely granted. And GeI
: old school-room, where classic walls haveN NI
> eft echoed the the text, Take heed howmI
. hear" has embraced within It's precincts @
each returning Sabbath, for a score of yesN
. the aged who tottered thither, leaning tren.
ulously upon his staff, the middle aged, IN
! the strength and vigor of manhood's prlne,
!, the youth and the little child, bending re~
! ! emily in alteration of the great Creator. Bat
alas how the changes of earth leave5th
4 footprints even upon the chosen worshiplng
places Of the Most High. ! Soon the ID