The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-03-29

THE CuuRcH.-By reference to our
advertising columns, it will be seen that
a petition has been presented to our
Court of Common Pleas for the incor-
poration ofan Episcopal church. This
is step in the right direction, long
DELAYED but "better late, than never"
We feel it our duty, as well as a pleas.
ure. to say a good word in favor OF this
proiect. Not that we are in favor of an
Episcopal church, more than any other
church. but we are decidedly favorable
TO the erection of church edfice, and
we are not disposed to throw colo water
upon what promises to be a successful
attempt to give us one, merely because
we like some other denomination better
We hope that the citizens of the place
generally will see the importance of this
matter, and contribute literally accor-
ding to their means, to promote its sue
cess. The accomplishment of such an
object i'll Ridgway must of course de-
pend in great measure upon the gen
erositv of its own citizens and largely
upon that portion of them (the larger
portion we fear) who mot having the
fear of God before then eyes" will be
prompted only by temporal considera.
tions. To these we desire to address a
few words by way of showing. that even
according to their mode of thinking, it
,oW pay. 1t will enhance the price of
property, and increase the population
and the business of the place. The
erection of every good building tends to
advance the value Of property. For
instance, such building as the resi-,
dcnce of Albert Willis, ESQ, in small
place like Ridgway, virtually adds to the
value of every other house in the town.
How much more is this the case, where
to the architectural beauties of the
building are added what is far more i'm
portant the eIevating Influences of the
church. Ridgway is unrival'ed for the
purity of its atmosphere and its water.
Situated in the midst of the Alleghenies,
we breathe the invigorating air of the
mountains, while almost every house in
town is supplied with water from run
ming fountains. With these natural ad
vantages in our favor aud the rapidly
increasing development and population
of the coal regions of the county, anC
the influx of wealth invited hither by
the richness of our material resources
what is there to prevent Ridgway from
becoming the social and business ceutr
of the county Alas, that truth com
pels us to confess it, there has been,--
there is, but one eau eve have n
church. What man who loved hi
family would dare, what mother wou|
consent, to move to town, abouudini
with all the Suarcs that entrap the fee
of youth, without the moral influence
that counteract them. Again, give u
a church and there is no reason, VIII
Ridgway, for which Nature has done S
, much, should not be favorite summe
resort, for the wealthier denizens of tn
cities, who yearly leave the sultry cor
fines of brick walls, and seek new lif
and vigor in the recrcations and coOle
climate of the mountains. Our wood
abound with game. Our streams al
full of trout. We are upon the line {
! the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad. Bl
men will 90 where they can take the
families and we have nc church. Th
: i the reproach upon our fair name whiC
deprives us of this source Of pleasure an
4 profit. But these considerations impo
r tant as they are, sink into insignificant
: in comparison with the moral benefits
be derived from a church we'll sustaine
/ and we'll attended. We feel confdel
$ that if we have a proper place for re
d gious service. it would be well suppO
ted. Upon the rising generation Il
good influences of the change from
It sabbath. breaking to a church going pc
:. pie, could not but be salutary. "
hope our p eople will view this matt
r favorabIy. We are informed that CO
e siderable aid has been promised fro
l. abroad, when we shall take the initiatiy
e We are glad to hear it, and it is h
e proper that we should do somethi
/. ourselves before we ask other for ass
a tance.
e We understand that the site select
for the church is upon he corner lot
Mr. Souther's addition, at the caste
/. terminus of Main street. This is C
l. tainly very pleasant location.
e