The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1858-05-07
IBALL ROOM PRAYER MEETINGS.


bigotry and intolerance give the lie direct
to their professions. When they find a
man who is SO unfortunate as to differ
with them upon the subject Of religion,
what do they do? Do they go to that
man with hearts overfowiny with chris.
tian charity. and, in the spirit Of him Of
whom they profess to be followers. en-
deavor to convince him Of his error and
persuade him to accept the truth? No,
far from it-they take advantage ofevery
occasion to iujure that man. They attack
him in the social circle, they call him hard
names, and sometimes they are induced
by this same narrow, contracted, vindic-
tive spirit, TO attack him personally
through the columns Of the newspaper,not
like honorable, christian men. over their
own signatures, but cowardlike. they ap.
proach him in disguise, under ar assum.
ed name, and empty the vials Of their hy-
pocritical wrath upon his devoted head.
Now, we appeal to the common sense of
this community, and ask whether such a
spirit, and such conduct, is consistent
with that pure, high toned, and liberal
system Of christianity taught by the God
whom they profess TO worship? Is it
|
right to abuse and vilify man because
you think he differs with you in opinion?
Is it right 10 place the gag upon that man,
in this free country, and say that he shall
not be permitted to express those opinions,
simply because they are not in conformity
with your own? Is this in accordance
with the liberal, charitable spirit of chris
tianity ? No man but benighted, big.
oted ignoramus, will have the hardihood
10 contend that it is. ....
These general remarks have been in.
duced b,v an anonymous attack upon us
in the last number OF the democratic
| Union," to the extent of column, in
three different communications. The fact
that the attack is made over anonymous
signatures, would be sufficient reason
for treating it with silent contempt, be.
cause it is well settled principle that no
gentleman, much less protesting chris
tan, will attack the editor Of newspaper
in so dishonorabe manner. 1t taking
an undue advantage Of the editor. who
writes under his own signature, and who
is personally responsible for every word
lie writes. The honorable man meets the
editor Of newspaper upon equal footing,
by presenting his thoughts over his own
name, instead Of thus skulking behind the
disguise of an anonymous signature.
But, fearing that our friends might
take it for granted that we had been an
initiated by the powerful display of in.
tellect on the part Of these anonymous
scribblers, we have concluded 10 devote
a few lines to them by way Of amusement.
No l, who signs himself "Union," seems
10 have been longer winded than his CO.
adjutors, and we must say that he can
write longer article wtAout saying any,
Ming than any man we ever knew. Af-
ter writing half a column, he winds UP
by presenting the only idea contained in
his communication, when he triumphant
ly asks US to present one reason why peo-
pie should not meet in public dancing
hall in the capacity Of a prayer meeting.
Now for the benefit Of our very liberal
and honorable neighbour, who seems TO
think that christianity consists in stab bing
US in the dark, or attacking us under an
assumed name, we will give just one rea.
son, out of thousand that might be
presented. In the first place, if prayer
meetings are instrumental in advancing
the cause Of religion, the most suitable
and appropriate place for holding those
meetings should be selected. The place,
if possible, should be surrounded by pure
and holy associations. in order that the
minds of those engaged in prayer should
not be diverted from the object had in view,
but centered entirely upon God. Now,
we think no man will contend for a mo.
ment that a Hall used for the purposes Of
niger shows. public dances, &C., is pref
cradle to building dedicated to God,
around which the holiest associations
cluster, and upon entering which the mind
Of the penitent seeker after truth is much
more forcibly impressed that God is
there. than 1t could possiblv he unon en-.