The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-09-24
The Curche. OF Hrcareror.

The Curches OF McGregOr.
The situation Of our churches in this
town at present is quite disheartening; one
year ago the prospect was reviving to every
lover Of church going. The Congregation.
al, the Baptist, the Methodist and the Epis.
copal societies, had each pastor and each
had fair show Of congregations, besides
which the Catholics and our German and
Scandinavian friends had their services
McGregor was really changing and taking
its place with the other Christian cities of
the country. Christian brethren rejoiced
end every one began to feel proud of our
religious privileges. The war, its interests,
excitements, dependencies and rallying
cries had not then become so all absorbing
We watched the news, we were excited at
its changing actions, but it was not yet so
large, it did not occupy all cur thoughts, it
had not yet touched so heavily our pockets
in which we carry our money and our
souls done up in single package. Gradu-
ally however our public mind which can
never hold but limited amount became
charged and surcharged and charged over
and charged again, with skirmishes and
battles, retreats and strateges, proclama.
tons and levies, drafts and taxes. Little
by little and very surely, every energy Of
our little minds is conferred in our country's
struggles. As we have not room left for
anything else, we let religion and church
slip out and be lost; we have not our for
mer interest in church going, Church
congregations decline, and preaching is not
listened to with the previous zest. 1t has
also happened that by reason Of private
business, serious i'll health and our coun.
try's call, the Episcopal, the Baptist and the
Congregational churches have lost each
their pastor. 1t is serious question in
those churches whether if they should hap
PLY have their pulpits regularly filed, how
they can support their preacher, whether
it would pay to keep the church doors
open. There are So many increased ex-
penses which we cannot avoid crowding
upon Us that We begin to economize, and
everybody knows that every BODY first re-
trenches in benevolent liberality rather
than extravagant habits. What shall we
do? If mems souls ever need saving it is
now; if our natures ever need "toning
down" and harmonizns or rather christian
izing into tender merciful feelings, it is now.
If our thoughts and aspirations ever need
turning from earth to Heaven and eternity
it is now. We need and ought to have the
benefit Of as good ability and talent as any
other place, especially when as at the pre-
sent time it requires considerable to draw
us to church and when there, to draw our
individual attention away from ''money
bag and the war, to ''the glorious gospel
of the Son Of God"
These few thoughts have been presented
because they are true. What shall we do?
If it be possible to secure good, able,
godly man, it would be great benefit to
our regular Sunday habits, if not blessing
to our hearts. A regular attendance upon
worship has better effect upon our regu-
lar daily honesty and cleanliness Of purpose
than we are prone to admit, besides giving
good character to our town and increasing
our mercantile credit which last a little
mending would not hurt. We ought to
make it part Of our town pride that one
or all of these three pulpits be well filed.
Doubtless j! a particular effort be made
among our citizens for any one preacher Of
known ability it would meet generous
response, better perhaps than some hope
for. NJ.