New-York daily tribune., 1858-04-07

GuCtcu pi4Of W Li1 iCcO. ~ maJ ~
advisable to let this act apply to some extent to
old ccntrscts; bat we prefer to wait awhile.
We take II for granted that numbers of men and
women in every part OF the country are asking
them,eyes at the present time very serious ques-
tions about the duties Of life. Many, for the first
time in their existence, have stopped little to take
| their bearings in the moral universe; some have
charted fresh couIses for themselves; some are
luIniDg the helm toward the verJ opposite point to
that whittier they hsye hitherto steered. And
While such persons are listening with attention to
be more authoritative eXhOrtatiOns Of Others, 1t
usy BE- that they will not refuse to hear few
simple and not unfritndly worcs fr' as.
Whaeyer of reality and genuinenr,s there is IL
TIE preya yailiDg religious movement must show itself
IN one drection-in lie influence on actual morality
and every day virtues. Those engaged in the
movement must remember that the busy outside
world care nothing for miraculous conversions and
religious ecstaSies. They may look on them dur
ing the progress OF the popular excitement with
respect or with Any other emotion; but in the
whir of active life they will speedily forget them
impressicn the ouly lasting argument Tor the real
lty of religion and its spiritual effects v i'll be the
lives Of the men and women who have proessed
its il Auences. great evil, thus far in American
history-an evil, perhaps, which is almost inherent
in humsn nature tself-is that religion and pracii-
cal morally and philanthropy are so often
divorced, or even set in antagsnsm. Let
h...L far fha Issf fNpQfy-
FIVE years, and see how till within three or four
years the Churches have stood on the greatest
question of humanity and mercy which Providence
has presented to this nation. Who have been the
lOucest for oppression aud the most bitter against
humanity! Who have voted for Fugitive Slave
laws and led the movements which would strengthen
the letters Oh white as well as on black men Have
they not generslly been the nomiDaly relig Gus
Amor the once honorable names in this city which
have lately been banded down to Disgrace as yolun-
teer supporters of most fraudulent and iniqutOus
measure, we're there not many which have been
highest on the rolls of respectable Christian denom-
inatioDs We know there are noble exceptions,
but has not the tendency of many Of the strctest OF
our religious bodies been to put piety on one side,
and honest and justice on the other Religion
would tbus to be, in the minds OF many,
kind Of ny ste rous enthusiasm and to have nothing
to do with counting rooms, and courts, and legisla
tive chambers. Indeed, one who should Judge
from many Of the facts and utterances which meet
rotice, might almO,t think that it was kind of
garment never to be worn in the streets or the
markets. or sort of ceremony which had nothing
to do with mercy, and truth, and honor.
We trust that one good effect Of this religious
awakening will be a change 10 this respect. Every
man who is now, as he supposes, starting on new
course of life, must ask himself what is his solemn
duty, in view of his newly assumed responsible
tiles, toward the great questions OF justice, hui
manity and morality constantly agitated in this
country He is to take his position for the unlver-
sal rights of man, OF whatever creed or color, or
against those rights. lie is to be friend to tenn
perance snd order in all ways which his conscience
may commald, or he is to be friend Of license
and disorder. les. more; be is now, as the man
who processes in himself more vital principle and
higher influence to make manifest to all that bus
ness is not of necessity selfshness aud dishonesty
Who now necessarily assumes that religious
mans promise topay is better than any other mans
On the contrary, how often do We find that of the
two the religious man is the more slippery. If this
Revival be genuine, It must in some degree re-
move this reproach Religion must be carried by
it into the counting room, the shop, the Brokers
Board, and even into the halls of legislation. As
we have said, the fruits the only test to the ont
side world. The excitements, the prayers, the
experience aud visions are nothing to them if the
convert DO not seek justice and love mercy in every
day life. He msy wear his phy acteries broad, and
pay faithfully his tithes; but, if he neglect plain
aud simple duties, his piety, to the eyes Of the un
belieyiDg-not TO speak of Higher Spectator
will seem rather Pharisaical pety. We mean TO
speak plainly in this matter, and We trust the
,piritua teachers are speaking plainly. II msy be
that new era OF religious life-Of Justice aud
Brothe rhood between man and man -is CON-
mencing; or il may be that this is only fresh
pasm. to be followed by more papable moral
lfelessness. Which shall 1t be
The Washington Union, in an elaborate dsquisi-