Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1872-08-08
Churches and Church Going.

Some seventh day christian. I bro-
Their in one of u holy Evangelical
temples of worship sourcd a little ov-
er our remarks a week or so ago about
Churches, and in an anonymous COM
munication pours out his wounded
feelings upon u meek and devoted
body, by charging us with being a
heather opposed toMinisters, Churches
and the Sabbath! Rather heavy, we
admit. But bless his poor, narrow
minded, bigoted and hypocritical soul,
how sadly and blindly he has exhibit
ted his ignorance. Well bet him a
squash against his brainless head, that
within the last ten years we a con-
tributed more for the support of the
Ministry, Churches and Christianity,
than he has during the whole exist
cuce of his unnatural life. That we
are opposed to the conduct of some
Ministers and think there is very lit
tie genuine religion in many of u
Churches, is. very true; and if we
don't attend any place of worship it
is simply because we feel that we are
doing as well by remaining away and
studying our own mt rue re-
ligion consists in works and not in a
seventh day profession or a sancti-
m%onious regard for forms and cere-
monies. Our idea of a christian is
one who is charitable and kind-who
relieves the distress of his neighborin-
stead of depressing them-who visits
the sick and the afflicted-who feeds
thc hungry and clothes the naked
who, if a man is hungry, does not Of
fer him a tract and tell him to trust to
the Lord, but will give him a quarter
wherewith to get some bread-and
who does not spend his time disput-
ing about articles of faith, but carries
his heart in his hand, and always has
a kind word for the out cast and
broken hearted. Such a person will
win for himself a crown of glory, no
difference whether he attends Church
or not, or whether he pins his faith to
the creed of any sect.
Churches are very essential in a.
community and should be supported,
but 4 radical change is needed in their
management. Thousands who now
stay away from Church would gladly
attend if they felt they could meet up
on a level with their lore wealthy
neighbors, and contribute according
to their means. If those who wear
fine linen and fare sumptuously every
day desire to be exclusive, they should
remember that they will stand upon a
level with the poor and lowly at the
Judgment day. Pride will have its
fall then, if not before. Creeds
and articles of faith, or the fact of
having worshipped i'll a gaudy temple
will not win entrance into the King
dom of heaven, where the Savior of
tn: world presidcs.
The great principles Of Christianity,
as taught by him who died upon the
cross to expiate the sins of the world,
are lost sight of by those who wrap
the cloak of morality about them, and
say unto men, stand aside, II am ho-
lier than thou" The church which
imposes heavy burdens upon its adj
hcrents too grevious to be borne,
and takes from them that which is
needed to supply their temporal wants
commits a sin in sight of high Heaven,
and will be held responsible for it at
the great day. The great mass of
Gods creatures upon this earth are
poor and suffering; they are borne
down by taxes to support luxurious
ease, both in church AMI state, their
only privilege being to bow down to
the long-faced humbugs who talk of
christian duties they never practice
themselves. 1t would be well for
such canting and ~sniveling 'holier
than thou" ~hypocrits, like the writer
of the anonymous TRADE, to set about
a reform of their system before they
hurl denunciations at persons who a:e
religiously and morally their equals,
if not their su%periors.