Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-11-20
CITIES hnportancs and Influence.

j. G. R1HELDAFFER
C1rIEs-7Heir Importance and Influence.
We are not wont to take as a text verse
of scripture simply because it may afford a
motto for discourse. Unless the connection
| is such, that the text teaches the doctrine
taught in the sermon, it seems questionable
use of the word of God, to teach from pass
age what it does not contain.
| For this reason [ have taken no text to-
night But the remarks we shall make, |
trust will be in unison with the position as
signed to cities, as great centres of influence,
| throughout the whole Bible.
We are safe in saying that the history of
the world would be meager indeed if Invested
of all that relates to it's cities We may take
any nation of ancient or modern times, and
and easily divide it up into circles, so cutting
each ether, as to cover the whole territory Of
that nation; and in the centre of each OF
these circles we shall have city, exerting it's
influence on all the surrounding country, un-
til it meets inhabitants that trade in some
other city, Each has its influence in the reg
ulation of trade, modes Of business, manners,
fashions, education, morals and religion.
There are also great national metrOpolises
-,
soon as the nations to which they belong are
named. What we know of the old Babylo-
nish Empire, all centres now in the ruins of
that great city which has long since fallen to
rise no more. We have brief records of Min
evan, and Tyre; but how indistinct are our
impressions of all the scope of country that
traded in these great cities? How little we
know of the rural districts that were influ-
enced by the merchant princes who dwet
within tl,vi. u..lI,. VII --r- -
apcn the t sps S cS SESg into their harbor
the long undulating caravans, winding their
way, with ladened camels, towards these cen
tres of trade
Jerusalem is to us Palestine, and most with
which we are familiar in the history of the
Israeltes, clusters around this great national
metropolis Here the tribes assemble at their
great feasts, and were swayed by those inhu-
ences and received those impulses which con-
troled them as nation. Athens is the high
est mountain in Grecian history and ancient
Rome was the centre and soul of the old EN-
pire in all its glory, as modern Rome is now
the chief source of our impressions concerning
Italy, London is England, Paris is France,
ST. Petersburg is Russia, and to Foreigner,
New York is the United States.
Cities are the theatres of great revolutions,
either for good or evil. A great idea may be
conceived in the country, but it must seek the
city in which to have a conspicuous birth, a
vigorous growth, and manly development,
before it can challenge the attention of the
world Glorious thoughts, sublime schemes
for the good of the world, have no doubt been
proclaimed to an obscure peasantry, and at
tanned no notoriety, immortality or fruitfuness
for want of an appreciative people to give
them currency and work them Out.
Men gifted with intellectual powers and at
tainments that might have enabled them to
sway whole nations, and leave their impress
upon unborn generations, have worn out I'M
known in some remote corner of the world. SO
too, many who have toiled for years, with lit
tie success, in obscure places, in their bust
ness or professions, have at length sought the
city as field of action, and there become the
brightest ornaments in their callings, found
the necessary encouragement and stimula-
ton, been appreciated, and developed powers
that have astonished those who knew them
only in Obscurity.
In nothing is the influence of city life upon
individuals more marked than in the forma-
ton of the character of young men. Suppose
two brothers, equal in natural parts brought
up in the same family, educated in the same
school, They reside in the country until the
ages of twenty. One remains at home upon
the farm, the other enters the city with fixed
principles of morality he determines to make
the best of all his powers to be digent in
his business, careful to observe and become
acquainted with all that will improve his mind,
his manners, and his heart He carefully
avoids all the evil influences and vices that
would prove his ruin by corrupting his heart
and lie; he rises step by step; becomes the
| companion of good and noble minds he gains
| reputation and influence among men who
know how to appreciate him and put him for
| ward. Ten years have passed, and the
brothers meet again. Who now would take
them for brothers? Even if they are equals
still in the goodness of their hearts and the
uprightness ,,of their intentions; if they are
both Christians; he of the city will have great
| ly the advantage. He presents more health
full, more perfect, and large hearted growth Of
his Christianity his views of the world, the
Church, and his relations to both, are more
enlarged his sympathy with the race more
extensive and his benevOlence more far reach
ing All this is not to be attributed to any
native superiority over his brother, but to the
circumstances in which he has been placed.
| five are correct in this, then it follows
that it is greatly to the advantage of a young
man to reside in the city. Such a residence
gives him an education by which he is better
able to influence his fellow men; being in dali
ly contact with them, he becomes familiar
with all classes, their feelings, modes Of
thought and manner of life; he knows how to
approach them with success.
The city affords facilities for improvement
in ones profession or business; field for the
exercise of talents, of whatever kind a choice
of companions, spirits that are congenial
motives and examples that are calculated tc
prompt one to high and noble aims. Here
the young man sees piety in its highest devel
opment keeping the rich humble and leading
them to devote their wealth to the service Of
God and their generation, enabling the poor
to bear up under the trials of pinching power
ty, looking and waiting, like pilgrims, for q
better country, and more lasting wealth thar
earth can give. Misery and crime are evel
before him in the city, joined in eternal sced