The union Democrat., 1870-06-25
= 3. 2
Oar TAssiexieat Cessssss

Somehow. owing probably to ous hardened
heart, whenever we hear = minister, as
sometimes ina church We stray, speaking of
the ssWorld' g People aud the masses, {" in
tone inferring their morals inferiority 70 us,
Goods People" who come together once
week and sing some pleasant songs and hear
sermon or two md . prayer'of two, trying
perhaps as bard asthey can to believe what
they do hear and thsn going of about their
business. and doing very much asoeher peo-
pie, such % overlGadiDg their ssomaohs, get
ting cross, short, crusty and irritable, boxing
their ehildren's ears when little self control
would have prevented an unnecessary blow,
and SAYING things about Wild girls and lone
widows which it would have been far better
TO have been left unsaid, somehow, we think
it argues vast amount Of ignorant presump-
tion, so to intimate, that We are exclusive
ly "God's People,"
Of what particular benefit to community
are three fourths Of our ministers? Do dis
coveries in science and art result from them
which lessen labor? Do they gladden. all
whom they approach by cheerfulness of de-
meanour by liveliness and mirth? Do they
show US any new exercise OF the mental fac
ulties by which life is made richer and time
less heavy? Do they cheer the sick bed? If
q physician wishes for his patient calm,
equable frame of mind, deeming that essen
tial for his recovery, would he advise daily
visit from minister? Do not children in
voluntarily shrink from them so soon as they
realize something of the terrors they preach ?
Do they give us new ideas and thoughtsg
o. but wa must have this form of religion
and ministers to carry it on; to keep society
straight; to keep the women aud children
straight. We don't need it, you know but
we countenauce it for the sake of the women
and children. That's their use. Morality is
inculcated at the Sunday School by teaching
children that they were born in sin and con.
ceived in iniquity.
We believe in all pervading practical
Great Spirit of the Universe; one that governs
with beautiful exactness the distant myriad
worlds as well as our own planet; one as po-
tent and careful in the tenderest blossom as
the mightiest world; one manifest in man and
all created intelligence; one that rules for tho
perpetuation and increase of order and hap
piness, not the gloom and misery of any rart
or parcel of the homan creation; one whose
mystery becomes greater. more stupendous,
moro awful, yet more admirable. the more
Ills ways manifested either in the atom or
the star become known. God in different
minds is realized in what those minds COM
prehend of the Universe. He may at last be-
come too great for the conception of those
who deem Him pleased with set word wor-
ship.
But this is heresy, in6ielity, and danger
ous doctrine to those who deem such Being
honored chiefly by a Meeting Iouse and a
good, honest, simple, man to preach in it.
We respect belief. We respect any form
Of worship, 30 long as the worshippers are
honest in their expressions. We believe also
in the right and propriety Of temperate and
respectful argument against any belief SEEM
ing unreasonable. The priest for ages has
taught, commanded and threatened almost
unouestioned and uncontradicted from the
pulpit. Education and custom have develop
ed a combined blind belief and fear in his as
sertions and doctrines which will not bear
the test of reason. All doubt or dissatisfac-
ton from questioning and inquiring mind
is met at last by the remark: ''God has said
it; if you can't believe you must pray to be-
leve." So the simple do pray and aided by
Unborn superstitious Tenderness Inherited from
their ancestors, at last work themselves into
a conviction that unless certain conditions are
complied God will put Us to the torture for
all eternity.
Standing near the Baptist Church last Sum-
day morning and hearing the simple songs of
the Sabbath School children, ringing out so
full and clear, while the COO. breeze rustled
among the locust leaves, we too become
worshipper. There is in the childreu's cho-
rus subtitle spell to soften and melt the hard
est heart. Matured art may astonish and
dazzle bu. the caild's voice goes nearest the
fountain of tears.
The necessity for a Revival of religion in
this town was intimated last Sunday at
churh. If this be contemplated it is well to
send for the Rev. Mr.. Mayfeld, who inaugu-
rated very successful Revival lately at
Woodbridge, San Joaquin County. He is an
extraordinary pulpitpsychologist and itseems
almost impossible to create renewed inter
est in this sort of excitement called religion
without the aid of some man go gifted.
These Columbians, says q man-of Sonora
are as q people very warmly attached to each
other. They will breakfast or drink together
in their native town, say at A. NJ, and at
.ahn- - A. C,r~~~ n...A