Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-05-12

the reception which awaited him, his first
effort was IN Bristol, Tenn. Upon pro-
ceeding to the various clergy and princi-
pal men Of the town, and producing his
credentials, making known the object of
his call, the first question was invariably
"What do you propose to do here? ?" to
which he replied, 81 propose to do nothing,
but if you desire to unite with us in this
great work, and desire to form an associa-
ton | will help you in any way you de-
sire that I can" and upon explaining the
object and effect of Associations generally
they were not only ready, but anxious to
concur, a meeting of the rrigcipal men of
the would be called, and he requested to
state the object of his mission to the
people, which in every case resulted in
the appointing of a committee of the lead
ing men to take action in the matter at
once. From Bristol he went to Mobile,
New Orleans, jackson, Meridian, Selma,
Montgomery, Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah,
Jacksonville, Charleston, Wilmington
and Richmond, and meeting in every
instance the kindest reception, and find
ing in every place few working, faithful
Christians, and leaving in every place an
association, or what promised to be one
very soon, except in Richmond, the hor-
rible catastrophe occurring soon after he
had entered the town, and as he was
about to enter the building, rendering the
thing impossible. Since arriving home
some of the new associations have been
heard from, reporting very satisfactory
results.
Mr.. Hall reports the state of society
through the South as most deplorable in
many respects, but more especially in the
utter absence of any institution like this,
calculated to arrest the attention of the
young, and to throw around them the
right kind of moral influences. Instead,
the country is throngd with itinerating
troops of MINISTRIES, operas, theatres, &C.,
&c, which furnish the only entertain.
ment which is calculated to attract the
youth Mothers and fathers see and
weep over this direful state of society
and hail with gladness any counteracting
influences.
Painfully evident are the effects of the
Rebellion all through the South
Churches are attended but by old men,
women, and by Gerry going men if they
attend at all. The middle aged men are
noticed to be but very few in number
and those few rarely have anything to dc
with the church. They say that their
prayers for their cause were not granted
and they no longer believe in a prayey.
answering God, if indeed in any at all
This, of course, refers to the masses, in al
large places; and particularly connected
with churches are to be found few faith
full and earnest ones, who say that al
cause for difficulty between North and
South is forever removed, and they de-
sire not to mention but to forget the past
as soon as possible. This seemed to bt
the sentiment, both in church and out
with the better classes. In one place he
found that an association of five had
been formed, composed of prominent men
lone who had been a rebel General) tc
pray for the welfare of their town, that
the blessings of peace and religious
prosperity might be given them. Fol
this they had spent one hour daily for 8
long time, upon their knees in the Office
of one who was lawyer.
The universal sentiment of the better
classes seemed to be in all the place:
visited by Mr.. Hall, ooh that we could
see more of your Northern Christian men
Your people come to buy our land and
for other business purposes, but we want
to see more of YOUR Chriatians. who will
pray with us and talk about Jesus" Sure
ly nothing will be more likely to oblite
rate party and local bitterness between
North and South than free and full in
terchange of Christian fellowship. AND
let us hope that this effort of the Young
Mems Christian Association may be fruit
full of much good in this respect. An6
let Northern and Southern Christians
water this good seed with their prayers
SIX"