The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-12-15
CHICAGO AS A MODERN EVIDENCE OF
CHRISTIANITY.
by IT. g. BEYNoN.

.
nineteenth century occurred in the
balmv days of last October. Not long
ago the Cityof the Lakes swayed its
scepter over the commercial avenues OF
the Northwest. -
Its influence and power was felt
throughout Christendom. 1t. was a
specialtysby tourists. Many, no doubt,
were iinquiriug, "what shall become OF
this metrop olis7" ~
Its Inhabitants were jubilant. Indus
try flowed like streams into it. 1t
was generator and springer actionit-
self Labor looked,a it as a stopping
and starting place. -E4vais were jealous
OF its success. -
When Enjoying It's ven earned pros
perity With broad expectations OF nm
precedented successsi IN the future, a
calamity, disasterS catastrophe seized it.
These are mighty words, yet we fail to
realize its condition by them. An I'M
PARALLEL holocaust of the most destruc-
tive element in nature.
Oh Chicago! the day of thy vista
ton has come. Vert thou getting too
proud of thy success? Even when
men, cities, empires and Kingdoms en-
joy prosperity, At is wise not to be ex-
travagant with the eg0.} The fire fiend
saturated with rage and destruction
brooded and enveloped the gay metro
polls His 1hety claws grappled its
treasures and Consumed them to ashes.
Human skill was now crumbling to
rubbish. The long maturing plans of
the architect and artist were fuel to the
merciless flames. The grief and agony
which this calamity produced in the
hearts OF the Inhabitants win never be
clearly comprehended. The remnant is
realed forever in the past. 1t is cost
ly lesson for che future We can profit
by it. Now the misfortune was made
known to neighbOring cities. The
news did not stop within our eastern
and western shores. The rough pillows
of the Atlantic conveyed it. The broad
expanse of the Pacific lay quiet for it tc
pass to the utmost regions. When il
was made manifest every philanthropiC
heart poured forth its synpathy. 1t il
gratifying to think that philanthropy
takes deeper hold on, men and worner
than it did in ancient times. In anti
putty its RIVALS andenemiea would have
been jubilant over Its doom. But nov
the angel of charity flies from city t.
city with errands OF kindness and love
What feelings of horror were in. ever,
sympathetic heart at the thought of the
little hands and feet that would be SUI
fering in the cold. Men and women
aroused by chsEitable impulses, to con
tribute to the needy human, were nov
all over the land and lin foreign coun
tries doing their utmost to relieve thei
wants. These acts of benevolence 81
farther to substantiate ourreligion thai
all the long prayers. ..-...-....
The christianity, which we as peo
pie adhere to, has existed nearly nine
teen centuries. Apologies have don
a great and enduring work to confirr
its truths on our hearts, 1t would b
fabulous to name the numerous writer
4 of different snationaHties who hav
from time to time used, their genius 70
the benefit OF humanity. We mus
concede shatmnch. good has been don
through the above source to those VIII
were capable, intellectually, to reeeiy
1t. Yet believe the,most direct an
effectual proofs lie wi thin the sphere {
our daily transactions. 1t is the poss
bilities of life, complied with q volur
tary win in liberality, philanthropy an
love. II takes speculative theory
long time to win the good will OF mel
The day OF -dogmatie discourses, speeI
! lative theology, papal bulls and Eel
: menical councils is about gone. W
want more DolIingers, Hyacinthe
! Moodys and Tyngs to renovatc I'll
! present and future. How shall we IN
press the truth of our sincerity
b Christianity if we neglect the doin
: part. The clergy can preach and e.
!. hort for a lifetime, and yet fail in tn
essential part. They will be rewards
: with little success.
:, Men love and trust us by our exam
pies before them In promoting SON
= good. They caro- bnt little about oil
guesses and beliefs, they prefer the a
tual work, performed, in earnestnes
q q These were the traits of its DiviI
g founder, who went about doing goo
Every living Christian endeavors
h walk the same path ~r-s - ~
q The present calamity. OF Chicago b
given evidence OF the development
= original and pure Christianity
{ rivals, instead Of fostering jealousy
y Withholding their assistance and syI
b. pathY, rushed with potency to he
s. their sister. This prompt, christian q
ton on the part of the American pc
r. pie will have greater impression ,
Ii the civilized world than years of sc
- mon printing. And we can ever poi
l. with approving conscience of doing o
duty in time of need.
EmOoria Nov ~ 1871