Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-02-21

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that never before was there battle field
for humanity like this never were the
elements of good and evil set forth against
each other in grander arena ; never was
humanity thrown out upon conditions
more experimenal--more free from the
trammels of old traditions, of old lies
1t must be mighty here-that is inevita-
bic but it will be mighty in the strength
of its wckedness, like the antediluvian
giants who brought the world to dissolu-
ton, or mighty in the virtues which shall
subdue The world to the reign of intelli-
gence, virtue and liberty. They who
have the means of educating the young
can lay a mightier hand upon this sub
lime future than any other heroes in the
field. The Legislators of the land, its
high places of power and of professional
life, may do much for it ; but its humble
places of education, its Sunday schools
especially, are its true fortresses-" the
cheap defense of nations as Burke call
ed Education.
These calculations present a lesson, a
startling one, respecting the necessity of
reinforcing the means of public religious
instruction. Itseems almost impractical
bic that adequate provisions of religion
can be made for this rapid progress of
population. Look at the facts here again,
not to despond over them, but to arouse
your sense of duty. According to the
last census returns, the aggregate :" ac
commoda;ions' of all the secls in the
land, for religious worship, did not
amount to thirteen millions, eight hun
dred and fifty thousand these include
not only churches and ehapels, but halls,
etc, used for public worship. Deduct
the Roman Catholics, and other non-ey-
angelical sects, and You have but littlc
more than thirteen million "sittings"
Hardly more than half the population at
the time of the census had, therefore,
such accommodations after gener-
ations of effort and expenditure. How,
then, are YOU to provide, i'll about seven
ty-fye years, for two hundred and nine
teen additional millions Does not the
destiny, call upon YOU to arse 70 TINS
great emergency? Did there ever pass
over any Christian land a day like that
which is rising upon yours? Was there
ever period in which more energy, self
sacrifice, unresisting labor, deyolved up
on the Church
Is il not Obvious that the religious phi
lanthropy of the land must be reioubled,
and that right speedily? 1t has been in
creasing greatly within few years. In
this respect alone We have a providential
indication that we may pass safely through
! the crisis. The idea of I" systematic be-
nefcence of tie consecration of bust
ness life on the same principle as the
consecration of missionary life itself-is
dawning into the mind of the Church.
| There are now not a few successful Chris
! tian merchants and mechanics who feel
chat they are not proprtetors, but stewards
of their property, and must give account
in the great day." who are convinced
they care not their own" but belong
unto the Lord, and that they have no
more right to "liye unto themselves
than has their Christian brother the mis-
sionary in tie ends of the earth. This,
as we have shown, is not reli 5ious
whim-it is a great logical principle of
practical Christianity. Ii is the idea
next to the purity of the Church, that is
to save the world and the lack of it has,
more than anything else, postponed its
salvation. IL is yet 90 become general.
There are pecuniary resources enough in
/ Christendom to cover the earth with the
| light of truth We need but to call out
those resources, and this can only be done
! h.s -fA.Ains -Araaywhere the true idea OF
the relation of Christian men to their pro-
perty. The pulpit, tracts, and prize es-
says are discussing it; they must discuss
ii more and more. The revolution we
have predicted must be effected in this
respect. The moral prospect of oul
country, as we have shown it, demon
Strates the doctrine overwhe elmingly.-
Christian business men, lock forth apor
the prospect, and ask what your country
and your religion demand of you under
such circumstances. Labor in your work
shops and your marts for the common
salvation Endow schools, promote pub
lications, and send forth laborers. 1t il
a sublime opportunity for you; it viii
ennoble and sanciiiy from their sordid
ness the pursuits OF your secular life yo,
will no longer live only TO i've, but fol
moral ends, which viii glorify both youl