The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-20

organizations to degree OF activity which
would never have been displayed If they had
depended upon governmental support. In
nearly all other Christian lands the
State contributes directly to the
support OF one or more Churches,
on the pretext that without such aid the cause
of religion cannot be properly supported, but
in this country the extraordinary spectacle is
presented of much larger sum, per capita,
being voluntarily obtained for religious pur-
poses than is contributed for like object
from the most plethoric of European treasu-
ries, and of more profound interest being
displayed in the cause of religion here, not
withstanding the absence of governmental
appropriations, than is manifested in any of
the countries which furnish them. Few
Americans would seriously think for one
moment of changing this system or
of altering any of its essential fea-
lures. It's advantages and its happy
influence upon our whole political frame
work are apparent to all; and yet, in one sim
gle respect, it does not, perhaps, secure the
best attainable results. Where the State un-
dertakes to make religious provision for a
people, it is obliged to at least pretend to
provide, after some fashion, for the religious
instruction of the entire population;
while here, where everything is left to volun-
tary action, although the provision in some
quarters is exceedingly ample, it may and
does happen that thousands of children are
suffered to grow up in absolute igno-
rance of the fundamental precepts
or doctrines of Christianity. Many things
have been done from time to time, and are
hain 70
and too much praise cannot be awarded to
those who have labored earnestly in home mis-
sions, tract societies, Sunday y-schools, and
churches. But the fact nevertheless remains.
that the whole field is not thoroughly and
Systematically covered, and that it would not
be difficult to find even in this City of
Churches individual specimens of the
most glaring heathenism. In this
connection the address recently made
by Bishop Simpson in regard
to lay preachers, and published few days
ago in The EVENING TELEGRAPH, is worthy of
special attention. In invoking the vigorous
aid of large body of men who are not for
mally connected with the ministry, he indi-
Gated method of operations which is pecu-
liarly necessary in this country to imbue the
sence of governmental aid and authority
necessitates not only an extraordinary amount
of effort in building and maintaining temples
for the professors of religion, but nearly
equal effort in preaching the glad
tidings of the Gospel to deaf or
dull ears, and in making an impression
among the thousands who, if left solely to
themselves, are as little likely as the savages
of remote regions to attend the Sunday
schools or churches of any denomination.
The sums expended now to build and sustain
the splendid churches which are springing up
in every quarter bear great disproportion
| to the money devoted to various forms of
home missionary effort and although this is
a matter which is properly left to the con-
science of every Christian, it is to be regretted,
if we look at this subject from the political
and social point of view, that those who are
anxious for the salvation of their own souls
do not, in all instances, feel
deep interest in the salvation
of their felow-beings. We believe, however,
that the disposition to supply this defect of
our free system is increasing in many quar-
ters, and the tendency of some of the greatest
of modern teachers to make the love of fell
low-men and the achievement of practical
good instead of belief in this or that doc
trine, the touchstone of vital Christianity, will
help, we trust, to invigorate all the existing
plans for providing religious instruction for
every American man, woman, boy, and girl.
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