The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1857-06-03
YOUNG Mems Christian Un,on

foung Mems Christian Union.
This Association recently formed among
Ii young men Of this city, has sprung at
NICE into full strength and vigor, and its ac-
Ave influences in sphere where such were
most needed. promise to accomplish much
yood, not only in the intellectual and moral
Improvement of individuals, but for the re-
generation and termination of public senti-
nent. An anxious enquiry is every where
made for the cause of the alarming increase
Of vice and crime. In the midst of an in
tensely developed intellectual activity-mak
ing astonishing achievements in the arts and
sciences, and exploring the stores of the litera-
ture and philosophy of the past, and making
them as accessible and almost as familiar to
us as Newspaper readings, and with all the
evidences of highly cultivated external civ
ilization, we are daily shocked with vices
and crimes that belong to the violent and un-
tanned passions of semi-barbaric age. With
the affairs and ministers Of living gospel in
every street, there prevails laxity of moral
and religious sentiment that attaches only to
. decaying and effete faith. 1t is evident that
external refinement and intellectual develop
ton and spiritual progress. The intellect is
not all of mans intelligent nature. There is
an clement of his mental constitution to be
developed, as essential to his progress as in
tsllect. We have stimulated the perceptive
and reflective faculties of the mind to most
acute and intense activity, while tie restrain
ing power of the moral sentiments have been
relaxed and almost overthrown in the tur-
mol and conflict Of stimulated passions
The moral and religious sentiments are the
balance wheel of the intellectual machinery;
their power of restraint must be equal to the
impetus TO the intellect. We listen to the
same religious teachings and give our assent
to the same doctrines that our fathers d
but there was more faith in the heart Of one
sturdy old puritan than can be found in con-
gregation of modern worshippers- 1t is moi
the extent of our faith, but its strength thai
gives it efficacy. The old faith seems to have
departed, and left only its skeleton, which
make up our present theology and sectarian
ism. Are the people or their teachers a
fault for this decay of faith and morals. Th'
world has evidently outgrown its theology
and the influence of the church is declinins
with the decay of its dogmas; the age de
mands new Interpretation of the scripture
that shall yield new and vital spirit to re
,igious teachings; we want teachers by activ,
ives and works, rather than by precept; w
want universal faith that shall break dowl
all sectarian bigotry, and make christian
brethren. There is no movement moro il
accordance with the wants and spirit of tn
age, than that which has led to the formation
of these unions throughout the country
Their growth is proof of the necessity 70
them. In the cordial union of young mel
which they will promote, the spirit Of sec
will be broken down, and deeper conviction
more active and constantly abiding faitl
will be instilled into its members, which--il
Illustrated by their lives-will do more to per
suads others of the realities of religion, thar
all the accumulated historical and logical evi
dences that the world has, of its truths. TIL
best proofs of our religion are those that brinl
conviction to the hearts and intuitlve percep
tons of men.
Mr. Shows address before the association
in this city on Monday evening, was most sS
cellent in its sentiments and views, and evinc
ed correct apprehension of the wants an
necessities of the day. In many portions,
was forcible and eloquent, and is worthy {
being preserved and disseminated in dura
bic form.