Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1859-07-27

money. All ~ our ablsst divines, legisletors,
jurists, artists, mechanics and men d science.
hsvs tissn 10 smineues from he tno,, obscure
walks Of life. In the West We have ThomuS
corwin, Thomas Evisg, John Mclean, orms
By Mitchell. Hiram Powers, and a host o. 9th
eT distinguished men Of mark who received the
rudimeuts Of their education on the farm. They !
were early taught to labor physically aud men
tally. and they have been hard workers all their I
lives. Had such men devoted their entire time
to scientific farming we might have Witnessed Z
many improvements which are ye. undevel
oped
Ia our legislation, Jurisprudence In medicine,
in the mechanic arts. 10 sculpture, and in all
Of the sciences. great Progross bss been made,
] but 10 theology We do not seem TO improve. IL
Is tree that in preaching tho lerrOrs Of the law
are not 40 often advened TO. but good, plain,
practical truth uttered by good, plain, practical
men, and seldom heard, A great many Of the
ministers Of the present day, when compared
with those Of the past, are quite different order
Of men. The time was when the "Heralda Of
the Cross were meek aud lowly; who lsbored
part OF the time with their own hands during
the week, and preached extempOrarily on the
Sabbath TO attentivO congregations, in plain,
comfortable ehurchea Every body used TO go
to Church for there was room for every body
who wished to be instructed in the great truths
OF the Bible. Now we often meo, one Of our
rnost fashionably dressed gentlemen in the
street, or on the rail road cars. ana upon enqui
ry find that be il a ministerl Formerly We
could have recognized him by bis plauness Of
attire. Now minister TO be respected must
conform to the fashions Of the world for fear
Of being called singular or eccentric. Former
" we had good, plain, substantial, oapacions
, churches, with comfortable seats for all who
wished to meet together in heavenly commu
nion TO worship their Creator in spirit and in
truth. Now we often 6nd many ofour Churches
furnished In the most fashionable and luxuri.
Gus style The pulpit is occupied by fash
ionably dressed gentlemen.
The pulpit is furnished with costly carpets
!. velvets, tassels and luxurious sofas and chairs
}. tits q model Of good taste and ereditsble to
= the enterprise and lberslity Of = fsshionsblS
4 congregation. The minister reclnes on an ell
g egant ottoman, and after his flock have taker
bueiT htAAhf blNcH ONh hio y
+, sung by choir in the gallery led by an accom-
plshed musician. Formerly all the congrega
;, ton united in singing sudibly the songs o
Zton. Nov but few are thought qualified 4
- Join 10 this exercise without great deal Of In
D. struciion. Those that have not taken lesson
in music, and have not u by mn book, are fre
es queuily at loss to know what all this means
Of They hear an organ, melodeon, flute or bi
~ fiddle. and very pleasant sounds, but to III
os uusophis,ieaisd it is all Greek. Next the min
Of lister offers up fervent and eloquent praye
which gives the ladies of his congregation a
:, excellent opportunity to scrutiniEe each other
new bonnets, dresses, etc. Another hymn
" then saug, when the minister unrolls befoI
him manuscript sermon which he has con
ie' posed during the past week, and reads it to h
I'D congregation. This piece of composition ms
ID, he mastery Effort" and full of rhetoric
on fourshes but it is no, that kind Of presehiu
,xt the age requires, The pioneer mis- ionaries
ny the Cross in this country were plain, practic
cir men, who understood the English lsngusg
he aud studied their Bibles, boldly proclaim'
an the truth and became acquainted with the
,ngregations. When their congregation a
.rmbled they knew exactly where the SHINE
lge we're, and what to say to them Not TIL th
Ice could they tell what kind of spiritual food W
bv needed. They then addressed themselves
- heir bearers, wero listened to atteptively
-umen dressed in calico. with sun bonnet
and men in homespun. All Joined in singh
"u aud all felt benefited with the services of I
me day Now our churches are erected at
immense expense by good meaning. libel
me cIngregatlons. but they do not draw to I
An ,use Of God those that most need instrucIic
wp They are too fashionable, and filed with I
he many fashionable people Hence the poo
Rim dressed ana most mccoy "'Sy away SS'an
h;s his miniouO are ever busy and entce them
;, places of dissipation, houses where they
taught to despise the fashionable churches, a
inS all connected with them, This isa must
'he plorable state Of public opinion, and how
eA change it engages the attention and deliberat
cut 1.-THE friends Of Christianity in every part
m, our Republic Thirty years ago capital of
port ees were extremely rare, and when commit
were deeply deplored by the people from N
to Georgia Now these offences are almos
hs' daily occurrence and the details are too sick
eAi ing TO be read, Why this increase of Grin
can Religious sects and churches are constau
gro multiply ngi men are highly educated in Gre
per- Latin, Hebrew aud other languages for
run ministry; but the great mass Of the people
.oss not attend TO their ministrstions. We do
-, believe christianity failure, nor do We bell
any nation can long maintain its freedom W
out its citizens believe in aud practice the q
'e9 truths of the Bible. Our forefahers aokno
"'e edged this during their revolutionary slruRl
''"' when the "Fsihsr OF his country" first invo
the blessing Of God upon our arms before
noe entered into conflict with tho enemies off
nan dom
To provide forihn spiritual wants Of the g
multitude who now neglect 10 attend Ohul
street preaching has been undertaken in IN
's'o places; but how much moro successfully co
leeK this be done by erecting suitable houses
cut worship at Que fourth the expense Of mau!
'me. those now poorly atshdedf Let the pulpit
these houses be supplied by good, plain, p
tical preacheTs--let il be understood that u
ISIS, should attend but@those plainly attired,
c,T that the rich, the poor, the halt, the lame
aIIv blmd. should be invited TO attend toge
without any distinction, for the purpose
Thin wurshipping the God Of their fathers, and
,inni To exhibit their fiue Clothes hear good nj
on or indulge vain curiosity. Such churC
:. would do good, and many a poor famish