Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1857-03-10

who brought the world to dissolution, or
mighty in the virtues which shall subdue |
the world to the reign of intelligence, vir-
tue and liberty. They who have the means
of educating the young can lay mightier
hand upon this sublime 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-
1.-THE cheap defense of nations," as Burke
called education. ... ..s
These calculations present lesson,
fearful one, respecting the necessity OF
reinforcing the means Of public religious
instruction. 1t seems almost impractica-
BILE that adequate provisions of religion can
be made for this rapid progress of popula-
ton. Look at the facts here again, not to
despoDd over them, but to arouse your sense
of duty. According to the last census re-
turns, the aggregate Accommodations Of
all the sects OF the land, for religious wor-
ship, did not amount to thirteen millions
eight hundred and fifty thousand; these in
clude not only churches or chapels, but
halls, etc., used for public worship. De-
duct the Roman Catholics, and other non
evangelical sects, and you have but little
more than thirteen million "sittings. =
Hardly more than half of the population
at the time of the census had, therefore,
such ommodations-ths after genera
tions of effort and expenditure. How,
then, are you to provide, in about seventy
five years, for two hundred and nineteen
additional millions? Does not the voice
of Providence, like the trumpet of desti-
ny, call upon you to arise to this great
emergency? Did there ever pass over
any Christian land day like that which
is now rising upon yours? Was there ev-
er period i'll which more energy, self-sac-
rifce, unresisting labor, devolved upon the
church?
Is it not obvious that the religious phi
lanthropy of the land must be redoubled l,
and that right speedily? 1t has been in
creasing greatly within a few years. In
this respect alone we have providential
indication, that we may pass safely through
the crisis. The idea of "systematic be-
neticence'-of the consecrltion of mis-
sionary life itself-is dawning into the min d
of the church. There are now not few
> successful Christian merchants and me-
: chanics who feel that they arc not proprie
tors, bnt stewards of their properly, who
are convinced they care not their own ,
but belong unto the Lord, and that they
have no more right to ''live unto them
selves" than has their Christian brothe
o the missionary in the earth. This, as W.
= have shown, is nota religious whim-it Il
q a great logical principle of practical Chris
o tianity. 1t is the idea, next to the purit,
of the church, that is to save the world
and the lack Of it has, more than anythin!
! else, postponed its salvation. 1t is yet t.
u become general. There are pecuniarY re
> sources enough in Christendom to cove
y = the earth with the light of the truth. w
need but to call out these resources, anC
o this can only be done by enforcing every
= where the true idea OF the "relation c
Christian men to theli property. 1.-The pul
e pit, tracts, and prize essays are diecussln
y it; they must discuss it more and more
II The revolution we have predicted must b
is effected in this respect. The moral pros
y pect of our country, as we have shown
: demonstrates the doctrine overwhelmingl
d Christian business men, look forth 'upO
e that prospect, and ask what your countl
le and your religion demand OF You unde
l. such circumstances. Labor in your work
d shops and your marts for the common sa
IF walton. Endow schools, promote public'
q tions, send forth laborers. 1t is a sublim
g opportunity for you; it will ennoble an
sanctify from their sordidness the pursul
L of your secular life, you will no long'
. live only to live, but for moral ends, whic
re will glorify both your life and your deati