The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1858-04-22
"Ee shall KNOW TisSna by Their
Eruiss,''


''Ke shall KNOW Tssen by Their
ETui9s.'
As we are interested in whatevor relates
to the progress and improvement of this
county and its inhabitants, we desire tc
improve the present general interest IN re-
iigion, to state few facts which deserve
the serious attention of all. We do not
intend to say any thing, that is calculated
to disturb any ones feelings. On the con-
trary We desire to aid and assist those who
are inquiring what they shall do now that
they have formed new purposes in life. Ii
crery day ptrtues are neglected, then your
new purpose is failure, for by your fuits
will it be known whether your conversion
is genuine or sham. That there has
been wide spread, and general failure
therefore, any candid person will be salts
fed, who looks at what has occurred for
years past.
Read the following extract from late
editorial in the ". !. Tribune, and see if
it does not give true picture of this fail
ure:
"Let any one cast his eye back for the
last twenty-five years, and see how till
within three or four years the Churches
have stood on the greatest question Of hu-
manity and mercy which Providence has
presented to this nation. Who have been
the loqdest for oppression, and the most
bitter against humanity? Who have vot-
ed for Fugitive Slave laws, and led the
movements which would strengthen the
fetters on white as we'll as on black mon ?
Have they not generally been the nomi-
nally religious! Among the once honor
able names in this oity which have lately
been handed down to disgrace as volunteer
supporters OF a most fraudulent and ini-
qulCous measure, were there not many
which have been highest on the rolls Of
of respectable Christian denominations !?
We know there are noble exceptions, but
has not the tendency Of many OF the strict
est Of our religious bodies been to put
piety on one side, and honesty and justice
on the other! Religion would thus seem
to be, in the minds OF many, kind of
enthusiasm, and to have moth
ing to do with counting rooms, and courts,
and Legislative chambers, Indeed, one
who should Judge from many Of the facts
and utteran0es which meet our notice,
might almost think that it was kind of
garment never to be worn in the streets
or the markets; or a 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 change in
this respect, Every man who is now, as
he supposes, starting on q new course Of
life, must ask himself what is his solemn
duty, il view of his newly assumed re-
spors. .bilities, toward the great questions
OF Justice, humanity and morality con-
staat!y agitated in this country. He is
to taAe ais position for the universal rights
Of man, OF whatever creed or color, or
against those rights. He is 10 be friend
to temperance and order in all ways which
his conscience may command, or he is to
be friend of license and disorder. Yes,
more he Is now, as the man VINO profes-
ses in himself more vital principle and
a higher influence, to make manifest to all
that business is not of necessity selfish
ness and dishonesty. Who now necessa-
rily assumes that religious mans PROM
lse-to-pay 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 remove tnis reproach.
Religion must be carried by it into the
counting-room, the shop, the Brokers
Board, ard even into the halls of legisla-
ton. As we have said, the fruits are the
only test to the outside world. The ex-
elements, the prayers, the experiences
and visions are nothing to them if the
convert do not seek justice and love mcrz
cy in every day life. He may wear his
phylacteries broad, and pay faithfully his
tithes; but, if he neglect plain and SIM
pie duties, his piety, to the eyes of the un-
believing-not to speak of a Higher Spec
tator-will seem rather Pharisaical piety.
We mean to speak plainly in this matter,
aud we trust the spiritual teachers are
speaking plainly. 1t may be thai a new
era of religious life--of Justice and Broth
erhood between man and man ia COM
naencing or it may be that this is only a
fresh spasm, to be followed ny more pal
pable moral litelessness. Which shall it
be
Sale OF the Pennsylvania State
Canals.
l., G.