Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-03-18

but when they are removed from il thew
have no power to stand against the chill.
ing influences of worldliness. These
two classes are 10 be found among tbe.
subjects of all excitements, on all posi-.
bic themes of human interest. So No.
revivals but human nature itself is to
blame for these incomplete results which
are so much complained of.
We do not see how whole commuui.
ty can be moved toward religion, or BY
religion, without excitement; and, going
further, we do not see why men may no.
be excited about religion as legitimate!y
as about any other great subject. Re,
Iigion involves the souls relations TO its
finest and most far reaching interests.
1t this is not an exciting topic, we know
of none that can engage the human mind
The attention once called TO it, and
continued upon it, there can be nothing
else thought of until it is disposed of in
some way. A man cannot treat with a
subject OF great personal concern with
out being moved profoundly, and it I'm.
doubleday helps men in their decisions
for the right to have those all around
them who are thinking upon and are
moved by the same subject, and deciding
for the right. They naturally come to-
gether, and exchange experiences, and,
by the power of sympathy, draw with
them a crowd of others.
1t would be we'll for those who are
fearful of the results of religious excite
ments to look around over this city of
Springfield, and see the condition of
things that exists here. There was
probably never so much vice and dissi-
patton here as at present. Hundreds, if
not thousands, of young men are going
as directly toward wreck and ruin as the
coarsest vices can | e "a them. Grog
S o ps are everywhere. The woman
whose steps take hold on hell walks the
streets and pursues her vocation wth>
out hindrance. Gambling holes abound,
and while, externally, things appear to
be moving along in the old, respectable
way, it is known that, under cover, the
city reeks with vice. Now will those
who are afraid Of religious excitements
inform US how this tide of vice can be
arrested by anything less than a relig-
ious excitement? Suppose the excite
ment were so great and SO general that
it should turn the whole population of the
city into an inquiry meeting-w hat
hen? Would the city be greatly dam.
aged by the change? 1t would seem
10 US very desirable state of things,
with the present, even if half
OF two-thirds only should remain relig-
ous after the excitement had passed by.
In Heavens name, let us have anything
hat will turn mems minds to manly
hings, away from beastly things, il it be-
'uly for a time.
1t is a very pretty thing for fne relig-
Gus people to sit in their parlors and
protest against excitement in religion.
To them religion is delicate flower,
whose fragrance is to be inhaled in Sc
ret and whose beauty is never 10 be ex-
,osed. But the world is never to be
moved and saved from its sins in this
way. The world is wicked. The world
} selfish and proud and thoughtless and
rain, and dilleltanism is entertained or
ndulged in by this same wicked, sell
ish, proud, thoughtless and vain world,
With no perceptible effect upon that
worlds wickedness, except to make it
more graceful and attractive. 1t is O
ort of Eolian attachment to a bad pi-
mo, that can be let on or shut off at
be owners will, or played alone when
he principal instrument is out of tune.
Religion that has power with the crowd,
o break up and reform its life, must
ONE with excitement and take hold of
he crowd with the grip Of motives that
ave life in them.
So we greet the present religious ex>
itement with genuine pleasure. 1t can
o little harm, and that only indirectly,
nd it must do great good. Our only
ear regarding it is that it will not be gen.
raj or great enough to reach the thou
ands who need its influence most
springfield Republican.
A TEACHER AT THE WEsT.-At
tie meeting of teachers association at
pringfeld, Illinois, a Mr.. Catherwood
Jacksonville, defined his position in
he following humorous speech He de-
ed one OF his scholars to break any
lles, for he had none. He was never