Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-10-01
&ofFed/iondenta' &oLut,zfa.
SEASIDE Correspondence.
Boston, Sept. 4th. 1869

CihitJ "Ou"Cs""y i"S', S' y'uS ucStTuC'
ton and devastation in it's course, scar
Jog the inhabitants al most to death, and
making sad havoc generally. Rough
estimates make the damage in the city
more than two million of dollars, while
reports pour in from the suburban towns
detailing caamities IN every quarter
Among the buildings destroyed is the
monster Coliseum, in which was holden
the Peace Jubilee. The ancient Elm on
the Common suffered the loss of limb,
and in less than fifteen minutes after it
had fallen it had disappeared in the
pockets of enthusiastic relic hunters,
who had swarmed to the spot in great
numbers. At one time the ar seemed
full of the shattered remains Of tin roofs.
awnings, hats, signs and window shut
tiers; people running about distracted in
all directions, in iminent peril from
flying bricks, in binding rain, in search
of lost hats and inverted umbrellas
After about two hours the wind had ex-
pended itself and the rain ceased. The
storm commenced about O'Clock P. NJ,
but the sun set clear. s. Its an i'll wind
that blows no body any good" various
departments of labor and trade are pros
pering in consequence.
The autumn season opens pleasantly
for all. Merchants report activity in all
most every branch of trade, and the
theatres and churches are open for the
season. 1t does not seem fashionable to
worship God in churches among our city
christians in summer. They all retire to
the country for relaxation rom business
and religion. The physician of the
soul like the physician of the body should
ALWAYS be found at his post; the service
of Christ should be that of unrcmitting
labor and constancy at all times aud in
all seasons, and he who expouses His
cause, enters the sacred ministry, and
fails to devote his whole life without res
eryation to that cause is derelict of duty,
and severely censurabIe. The faithful
minister of God finds JOY and happi-
ness in the prosecution of labors far
more substantial than all the transtory
pleasures of tho world which is ever pres.
ent to their life's end. Very many in
stances are constantly occurring by which
cergymen, in common with the whole
human family, are Frustrated by sickness,
and thereby entirely incapacitated for
duty. Rest is an absolute necessity to
preserve life and ensure . continuance of
usefulness. But the wholesale exodus of
ministers from their field of labor, aud
the closing of their churches for period
varying from one to two months during
the season, has become a universal Gus
tom in all the large cities, greatly to the
detriment of the Cause of christianity.
During these Temporary suspensions of
religious services that portion of the
congregation who are compelled by bust
ness to remain in the city are compelled
either to stay at home or go to some
chapel at remote part of tho city,
where eight or ten different congregations
are expected to unite in worship until
their several churches arc re-opened. -
The consequence is they don't 90 at all.
In the very warm weather they especially
need to be seated in their accustomed
places within their own churches to be
comfortable, and will not submit to the
inconvenience of attending strange
place of worship and listen to the preach
ing of n stranger. All this is distasteful
and religious duties are laid aside during
the ministers absence, and some times not
resumed upon his return, SO great is the
force of pernicious example, and SO al
Turing are the temptations of Satan.-
1t would seem as though six days in each
week ought to suffice for relaxation, and
that on Sundays at least ciergymen
might return to hold regular services ev-
en- if he returns to rural retreats on
Monday morning again. But no! the
"stay at homes" are not of sufficient con-
sequence; the healthy portion of the
flock is absent at Newport, or Long
Branch, or Saratoga, and TO these places
must our city ministers repair to venti-
late their eloquence to the frequenters of
these resorts of fashion. They are
part of the attractions, like the after
ter dinner music, promenade, concert or
dance. Why will so many of our emf
neat divines barter the great gifts with
which God has endowed them for money,
and sell themselves to the highest bid
der, that their talents for christian use-
fuluess may be used only for the benefit
of the select few who can purchase thom
with gold, to the exclusion of the many
poor listeners, who by their influence
might be brought into the fold of Christ.
| have said too much on this subject.
or INDUCED in too strong language, but
when | think of the labors that fall to
the lot of the great majority of our mir
listers away from the vicinity of large
cities aud wealthy congregations, of the
work they do in the cause of our Savior,
many of whom are poorly clad, poorly
fed, and subssting upon mere pttance,
with which to support oftentimes large
families, accomplishing, cheerful, happy
in the knowledge that their reward is
from above; and compare these with the
class first mentioned, who make the price
of their labors large salary, free house
rent, vacation in summer, etc., ! say 1t
n