Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1869-08-21
CHURCH GOING.

The question is often asked, why 10
moi, more people attend church? Aud
:, il answered in various ways, though
very enthusiastically. Oue reason as
signed is that they work so hard during
the week that rest is absolutely necessa-
~ on Sunday !; or, in other words, they
want an excuse for lying in bed. Now
.ureIy this is an answer that is I'M
worthy of a rational being, who has any
ssnse of accountability to his Maker.
No doubt, if a man has been hard at
work, or has INDUCED in excess, he re-
ouircs sleep to set him right but as a
rule, men do not work too hard, and
ought not to indulge in excuses, and,
therefore, such an excnse applies only
to an exceptional condition. The truth
&c that il is an erroneous notion that
rest means simply physical repose; the
true view of it is change Of occupation,
whereby not merely rest bnt recreation
il obtained. There is no great physical
labor in going to church, and there is
the calling Of the attention to topics
which perhaps have notbssn present to
the mind during the week, but which
certainly ought to be dwelt upon Mt
least once during that time. Now,
nothing can better 10 this than au APP
neal to the heart and understanding BY
AN earnest preacher, who has carefully
studied his subject aud can present his
arguments in a forcible manner. This
appeal, too, is made in a suitable edi
fee, with solemn Surroundings, ant
those who listen 10 it are further en-
couraged by the example of attention
set by the congregation, and by tha
mysterious sympathy which animate
large numbers ofgersons when assemblies
together for a common purpose. IN
plea of requiring rest is nm u%ntenaoI
one for in addition to the reasons as
signed, it is notorious that, it the SAB
bath be spent in idleness, it become
tatiguiug audfrksome towards evening
so that idlers wish it over; and thos'
who employ it as they ought derive com
fort and pleasure from so doing. IL
not the plea that goes TO the root o
. the matter. We suspect that the sys
tenn of fine dressing now so prevalen
has a great deal more to do with keep
ing people from church. The employer
of labor are too indifferent as to wha
becomes Of their employees after bus
ness hours. 1t is in their power to en-
courage the proper observance OF tn
Sabbath, by taking special notice Q
and promoting those who take heed
it, and discouragiug those who do moi
Nor are the clergy altogether as actir
as they might be 10 diffusing correc
views on this subject. It is frequentl
presented in q purely dogmatic manner
and the fourth commandment is insiste
on as m unconditional obligation, will
out reference to the moral, social an
physical considerations, which are
such force, and so much more likely
reach the heart than the bare enunci'
ton Of the Levitical law is. Son
preachers seems to shuu topics while
vitality concern us, such rs the evils
drunkenness, of living in unhealit
dwellings and of want of person
cleanliness. That a hundred thousar
pulpits should be constantly oceupi'
BY men, for the most part well 1ualih'
to deal with the evils which afnict S
ciery, and yet that so many millions
human beings should remain indifcre,
to the teachings there offered, is
startling and melancholy fact.