The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-03-25
Religious Excitement.

Il is not often that the attention oil thu
people 10 called to religious subjects in thu
news.journal Of our city, but 1t ccrtaini,
needs no apology in time like the present.
when largo majority Of tho people, VIC con-
fdently believe. have had their thoughts
within few weeks past directed to this
great subject, to say few words upon top
ic which personally interests so many oil the
readers of the Journal. We can but think
that all that is needed Of any enlightened
person in this age, is calm, serious delioera-
ton upon this subject to cause him 10 turn
from tho world and seek his salvation.
Tho commercial rcvulsion OF 1851 when
no many persons were thrown out OF BUSH
ness, was the means Of bringing many 70 the
personal knowledge Of Christ as Savior.
The great struggle in which We are engaged
at the present day, when the institutions OF
our country are lettering and trembling on
their foundations, and the result OF this
mighty conflict no one can foretell, causes
many to think Of the irailty Of oil earthly
things, and eudeayor to seek for city that
hath foundations whose builder and maker
is God.
For some weeks past religious meetings
have been held day and evening in Quinby 4
Swcctsir's Hall, by Rev. Mr.. Parsons, assist.
cd by the clergymen Of the different churches
Of our city. Religious meetings arc not con
fined to our city, but throughout many oil
tho villages Of New England interesting meet.
ings are now being held, and accounts Of
these meetings are noticed in the journals oil
the day. The hall in our city has been filled
night after night by attentive and serious
listeners. There is one charge that is made
against these meetings, and that is, the ex-
citcment that usually attends them. We be-
licve that this charge is mostly made BY those
who do not attend tho meetings and are OPP
posed to such gatherings but we are sorry
to say that it is not confined to this class Of
people alone, but even among professed fol-
lowers Of Christ, this objection of "cxcitc-
mcnt" is raised. This class of professors we
do not believe are many in number, yet they
ncutralizo to some considerable degree the
good that is effected in these meetings, and
thus paralyzo to some extent the strength OF
the Church.
We have often heard these objections rails
ed, but never by u person who has attended
the meetings in the hall during the past few
weeks. The meetings have been character
lied by unusual stiffness, deep feeling, strict
attention to the word, and marked displays
Of the Divine Spirit and the moro general
remark by those who do attend, is the want
Of that excitement that generally attends
special series Of religious meetings.
The Springfield Republican. in speaking
Of this subject, says :-"lt would be well for
those who arc fearful Of the results Of relig-
ious excitcments, 10 look around over this
city Of Springfield and SEQ the condition OF
things. There was probably never so much
vice and dissipation here rs ut present. Hun
dreds IL not thousands Of young men are going
as directly towards wreck and ruin as the
coarscst vices can lead them. Grog shops
are everywhere. The woman whose step,
take hold in hell walks the streets and pur-
sues her vocation without hindranco. Gam.
bling holes abound, and while externally
things appear to be moving along in the old,
respectable way, it is known tina: under COW
err, the city rceks with vice. Now will those
who are afraid Of religious excitement inform
us how this tide Of vice can DO arrested by
ANYTHING less than religious excitement.
Suppose the excitement was 50 great and so
general that it should turn tho whole popu-
lation Of the city into an inquiry meeting
what then? Would the city be greatly dam
aged by tho change? 1t would seem to us
a very desirable state Of things, compared
with the present, even If half or two-thirds
only should remain religious after the excite
mcnt had passed by. In heavens name. let
us have anything that will turn mems minds
to manly things, away from bea'tly things,
If il only DO for time.
"It Is a very pretty thing for iine religious
people to sit in their parlors and protest
against excitement in religion. To them re-
licion is q delicate flower, WHOSE fragrance
is to DO inhaled in secret and whose beauty
is never to DO exposed. But the world is
never to DO moved and saved from its sins in
this way. The world is wicked. Tho world
is selfish and proud and thoushtlcss and vain,
and dilettantei'm in religion will do nothing
for IL. Indeed, much Of this religious diet
tanteism is entertained or INDUCED in by
this same wicked, selfish, proud, thoughtless
and vain world, with no perceptible effect
upon that worlds wickcdness. except to
make 1t moro graceful and attractive. II is
sort Of Eolian attachment to bad piano,
that can be let on or shut of at the owners
will, or played alone when the principal in
strument is out Of tune. Religion that has
power with the crowd, to break up and re-
form its life, must come with excitement and
take hold Of tho crowd with Tire grip Of mo-
tiycs that have life In them
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