Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-03-01
Church EdihceS.

Inc time mas arrived when davenport
should boast Of her fine churches She is
no>longer in a transition State, but already
her denominational societies number two
or more church edifiices. The only proper
cause for congregations dividing is their
members becoming too numerous; and con-
sequently church edifces should be con-
structed on the principle of their adaptation
to the largest audience compatible with the
significance of the term. Let US have no
more halfway churches-too small for
due regard to appointments. and too large
to destroy to make room for better ones,
they remain as eye-sores many years after
the congregations are able to build better
ones, and are frequently sold for secular
purposes rather than tear them down.
A new location is then chosen, and all the
long cherished reverence for the place, is at
an end. This is not right We love to
worship where our fathers worshiped years
aback; aud the old slabs and gravestones
around an ancient church, are impressed in
sacred remembrance upon the minds Of most
New Englanders But where we cannot
have these associations, we sickle, at least,
for locality and, therefore, urge, that in
the erection of any future house of worship,
we adopt such plan as will result in a
monument of generous presentation to the
Divinity, whose house should be temple
of grandeur, where the mind, separated
from all secular affairs, may feel that solem-
nifty and sensation of awe that draws forth
voluntary homage and that the materials
be of the most durable character; and the
size of the building made with reference to
the number that can distinctly hear the
preacher, ana not to the demand of the pres
ent congregation. Let some of the funds
be raised by loan, SO that the coming
members may have the privilege of paying
their quota and let all arrangements for
light, ventilation, and disposition Of seats,
be after the most approved STYLE Let the
towers, vestibules, galleries, &c. be lofty,
massive, and imposing. Have the entrances
broad and numerous; and let the light of
heaven stream in through varied colored
glass, softened and mellowed to the eye
softening and subduing the feelings and
preparing the heart to receive the word.
There is Ger tain degree of inspiration
drawn forth in the heart, both of the
speaker and hearer, by vast and magnifi-
cent surroundings and although humble
piety loves to dwell in quiet and obscurity,
it is reused into deeper sublimity by the
feelings of conscious insignifcance and hu-
mility. imposed by vastness and solemnity.
The boundless prairie, limitless in its
azure outlines, and canopied by the heavens.
is an altar of worship where the christian
and infdel alike bend the knee. The place
is suggestive Of irrepressible homage. A
man feels his littleness in the presence Of
Gods magnificent handiwork the water.
fall. the mountain, the rainbow, and the
subterranean grotto-all. inspire worship !;
and why not mimic the grandness of nature
in combining some of her beauties to make
up fitting temples for the 'worshipper to
pour forth gratitude and praise to the most
High.
Organs and Choirs should send forth their
anthems to reverberate amid arches and
columns that support the dome and spires
ofmagni6cent temples" dedicated to the on
ly living and true God; and as man is the
only temple into which he has breathsd
his divinity, and which he has created
most perfect work. 90 man, in his gratitude,
should do his utmost to present an accspts-
ble temple to the Being who created h,m.
Solomon lavished the wealth Of his kingdom
to build fit temple in which to worship
God; and did - By his direct sonnasd.--
0sd wss plsassd With The e6sriae; and
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