Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-06-04

FARMERS SUPPORT THE CHURCH.
Mn Enron There is no class of men engaged
IN tine industrial pursuits who moro deeply in.
debted 10 the influence Of the Divine Oliver, than tho
agrionlturnllst Best In his property By bodntilul
and luxuriant hatvests; he Is doubly bound TO nuke
some acknowledgment for those benehcent gins
yhich he j. permitted to gather from tho prolific
earth And yet In view Of all his acquisitions, how
frequently do hnd him far less liberal In his con-
trbulons to the house Of God than the merchant Vt
me mechanic, who being subject 10 the and
fluctuations OF trade, have very precarious
from which to obtain tho necessaries Of life.
The husbandman's occupation is 50 independent
thet there Is not the least danger Of contingency
arising which would deprive him OF n comfortable
subsistence. Suppose there is general failure in
the crops for one or years, would not hrs oppor
tanities for support be much more favorable, than
those who are compelled to buy everything that is
required to sustain life In no probable casualty
is there plausible foundation for tho suppositiNn
mat he would be unable to raise sufficient produce
TO supply his own wants, and even administer to tho
peor and needy in the community
Taking into consideration these advantages which
ne possesses over those othersiso employed We are
strongly impressed with the duties and responsb Iii
ues OF his poaition, as a member of society and a
benefactor Of the race It will be that his moral
obligation is Of nature which must eonstrain him
70 recognise the author Of all his gifts and show by
bis acls the manner in which he estimates the hles-
sings SO plepifully bestowed upon HIM And we
mere hnd critic rion by which we may judge wheth-
er he rightly appreciates these good and frequent
gifts When We behold him giving literally and
unselashly TO the benevolent Institutions which are
established for tho purpose Of ameliorating the con-
ditisns Of men then we may anticipate that he
feels strong Inclination TO reciproaate the source
from which bis possessions arise.
How many Of this character have We 10 this Chrts'
tan community Judging IRON the feeble support
which many oil thecountry churches receive, we are
Inclined to suspicion the rural population Of grea
lack ct duty 10 the Sanctuary Of religion
Instances are on record Of the farmers being com
PEELED TO give tenth oil their whole property Il
| these inri n in WAS xn
ten thousand dolars, lie was obliged by law, Il
TO contribute annually the sum OF une thou
sand dollars I'll various ecclesiastical uses. Her
there are numerous Of where complaints ar
made by farm ers, if they required to pay fee
q or twenty dollars for pew rent
i ltmisht be safely commended, that man who's
property is estimated at ten thousand dollars, wheh
or he be u member or NOT, is duly bound to Civ
not less than one hundred dollars to the church b
= is accustomed 10 attend.
Al Itreaects no little discredit and shame upon al
q independent agricultural community to think thu
j. OF paying thor minister the small SUN Of six hume
: red dollars year, when from N TO fifteen hund
red and even two thousand dollars might be save
a without making any great sacrifice. We believ
also, (although a member Of the chur Oh J that
o generous expenditure of all that we possess owe
what y necessary for our subsisen, G, would BIO II
turned with great increase Of cur productions.
s Illustrations are numerous, which would eonfTl
5 such assertions but the experience Of woul
, conflict with our statements and therefore we ON
, them
We would not urge any one to adopt our plan 70
the purpose OF being saved from the wrath which
to come; but we earnestly believe that this lrst
OF beneyolence will lend to prepare the mind for
change which will ultimately result in bringing tn
unconverted sinner to repentance and finally viii
receive the rich blessings of Christianity.
Let US consider, therefore the utility Of the acqui
stions OF wealth, and reflect upon the tact That w
cannot properly disch arge our duties in this worlt
without making some efforts to reform the low and
degraded, by spreading abroad the salutary in1u'
ence oil the Christian religion. Without boarding
up the emolument which we have received by tho
dispensatous of provder from the prolific soil, lei
US devote them to such that will tend beGeG
that portion Of humanity, which IL surrounded by
no such advantages as these in this enlightened
community eniOy. AGRICOLA