Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1870-08-04
The Mount Zion Entertainment

Mr. EDITOR:
We are neither a profes
sional Bohemian or competent critic
nevertheless, by your grace viii
essay partial report of, the exer
cises held at Mount Zion Chapel or
Thursday, 9th inst. By way o.
prologue we remark that it is nc
small treat to enjoy relaxation from
business. and spend even day with
our excellent friends in the country
We get better acquainted and learn
to respect and enjoy each others
society. To come more directly to
the point, we were agreeahly sur
prised on arriving at the Chapel to
find it newly painted without and
plastered and otherwise greatly i'm
proved within; the unsightly pulpit
is replaced by an elevated platform,
having neat stand, ga la Beecher;"
lastly, in order of our naming, al
though, perhaps it ought to have
been first, as it is the first to call the
attention as we pass in to the house,
is the new organ. This is consider
ed, by very few, as An innovation
on old fashioned religion. We be-
lieve that practical piety and heart
felt religion will not be less exempli-
fed, and enjoyed by the people who
worship here, because they choose
to add this accompaniment to the
human voice in the worship of God.
The people had assembled in large
numbers before ten o'clock, the hour
appointed for commencing. At that
time Rev. Mr.. Rife called the meet
ing to order, and led the usual devo-
tional exercises. Afterwards tenn
porary organization was effected by
the election of E. A. Stone, Presi-
dent, and John E. Mills, Secretary.
Mr.. John W. Mccormick, of COM
mittee previously appointed for the
purpose, offered constitution, which
was adopted. All its provisions
are not remembered, but the object
of the association is sufficient for our
purpose. Its object is for moral and
intellectual Improvement, and the
duties of members is to present es
says on proper subjects, for comment
and criticism. This being the first
meeting it was expected that many
appointed for exercises would fail
to prepare, but the number so failing
was very small.
Every member seemed anxious to
promote and encourage the object
for which they had met. The name
adopted was, Minister'S and Lay
mems Association of Gallipolis cir
cult The above named were elected
permanent officers, together with
Mr.. VIM. Waddell, for Vice Presi-
dent, IS provided for in the consti
tuition.
The first exercise was an essay,
by Mr.. Darius Graham, upon the
subject, Christian hope.
The essay abounded WITH appro-
pirate scriptural quotations, associa-
ted with beautiful and original ideas
of the writer. showing conclusively
that the hope he described was one
that he richly enjoys The most
general criticism upon the essay was
on account OF its length, which tend
ed to repetition.
The next was written discussion
between Mr. VIM. White, of Rodney,
and w. M. R. Atkinson, of Porter
The subject was, "Does the division
of the church into numerous sects,
promote the cause of the christian
religion" (These are not the ex
act words of the question, but con-
tain the essential idea.) The affir-
native was ably contended for by
the first named gentleman, and the
negative by the latter. The remark
we make is, that both presented their
arguments so well that it only con-
firmed the previous belief of the au
dience Those who believe in differ
ent sects as but the different arms of
the service in the great army of
Christ, coincided with the first essay,
and those of the opposite notion
were but confirmed by the latter.
The first was well read, brief and
having, as your reporter believes,
the stronger side of the question,
made his points clearest. Both pa
pers were better written and better
read than we believed their au-
thors capable of We mean, not
to inslnuate upon the authors,
but to commend their efforts. A
select defamation by young Mr..
Stone, shows latent talent for pub
lie speaking that ought to be devel-
oped. The last essay we were per
mitted to hear was by Mr.. Simeon
Hutsinpiller. The subject was sim
mortality of the soul" We have
never heard stronger arguments,
more forcibly and beautifully pre-
sented, upon this most difficult sub
ject, than was brought out in this
essay. We judge the talent of the
young man Is above the average.
The general expression upon his
essay was that it was an excellent |
production. After this reading your
correspondent felt impressed, from
the portentous looking clouds, that
to save wetting he had better start |
homeward.
In following theline of exercises,
we omitted to mention that the audi
ence was frequently called to follow
the tones of the organ, to well known
hymns, that being sung by the whole
congregation, with the characteristic
fervor of our country people, who
wisely ignore all artistic choir sing
ing, and which gave variety and
animation that people unused to it
cannot too highly appreciate. Nor