Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-12-11

gion. Even those statesmen and political
economists, whose opinions on christianity
and religion in any Of It's special forms are
exceedingly crude and superficial, confess
that it is a power that is to be made use OF
in constructing well ordered community.
It would be difficult to conceive a s0ei-
ETY. held together and advancing in Che
march Of civilization which should thooret-
ically and practically ignore religious and
moral obligation Churches are therefore
good indiocs Of the prosperity Of COM
munity. A religion that reveals itself in
religious order and moral life is the first
essential lactor Of civilization aud social
growth. There is no doubt that Moutpo-
licr has this element Of growth There is.
a good deal Of practical irreIieion aud im-
morality among US unquostiouab.y. Bare
ly half the population attend religions sore
vice or sustain our churches. There is
largo class in our community whose own sc-
cial and moral condition show that their lu-
dividua life is without much amolioration
from the influence Of high moral and re.i-
gious principle aud training Bul with all
this drawback, our town is MOI wanting IN
the best possible religious Influences Few
places are more amply supplied with means
and methods Of rcligioas culture. We
have expended large sums IL tbo external
structures Of religion ana devote hreo
sums to its maintenance Ia CHS respect
we rank with the most favored communi.
tics.
The second factor To- toe growth Of q
community is intellectual culture lu o1r
New England idea, school-houscs have ME
WAYS stood by the side Of churches Srir.
itual aud mental cultivation have boon
placed in the highest RINK as mean. of oir-
ilzatiop. The civilized man a d'sin.
pui.hed from the svaye by tho wider
sweep Of his moral aui Intellectual acnl.
ties by his larger grasp Of the PAST. the
present and the future. But the religious
sentiments cannot he permitted 10 work
olone The result would be snpor.iidop
and NOT faith They need the CORRECTIVE
and modifying effect Of intellectual di.ei.
Mime and eulture Hence Protestant civ.
ilization which il the hest and pobost the
world has seen. has alwnvs combined the
two and Will, # .uboriinate- ,he intel
lectual TO the spiritual. vet holds chat NO
cenuipe eiyilization can ever ba ro,abod
without the additio, of Che bi,ho.t ro..i.
HE intellectual culture 70 tbe hes. ros.ible
religious instrnotion And FIJI. Is the ma.
culior glory Of those communities which
have shaken of the medieval notion. OF
civilization and have temnerod the r,vsr.
Of relicious fifth with tbe cnlluro of the
intellect and the conclusion, Of science
The medieval church makes war on ods.
cation and science, and the result l., that IL
DESTROYS both the bi,best tvns4 of religion
and the best forms Of intellectual develop.
ment. The church of the nineteenth century
fosters intellectual culture and scientific
research and popular education. believing
that the school.bouso and the lycoum are
the helpers of n true filth and of sound
moralitv and Of broad cicilizotiop PRO.
testant religion is not afraid Of tbo school.
house. for il is an essential factor of fine
growth of n eommnnitv The Mirror tbe
religion. the truer the morality. and the
wider and proloupder the education of a
community, the nobler will it be In am thc'
characteristics Of civilization
But third factor in ,be Growth Of q
community ia material proeress. lie who
makes two blades Of prass grow WHORE one
grew before is n bopef,e,or of nj. race.
and aids in fine improvemept of society
Whatever increases production. deyolops
wealth. supports the largest possible mum.
Der of men and women in comfort and ia
modified Injury. is AN element Of Growth
and prosperity. The true civilization Gle.
Yates the masses dilTuscs wealth. strength.
ems the weak and liNs the poor and Il
does this not only by religious aud intel
lectual culture bnt by an the arts and ma.
chinery and coutrivances Of industrial Ia.
Dor 1t increases the facilities oftran.por.
tatiou, brings distant aud uny.itol places
to the door of the market, roars Sos monu-
factories where it converts the rag material
that is reaped, or dug out Of the cnrlh, OF
mined or quarried iato costly fabrics and
articles Of use or ornament, and comfor. or
luxury. The barbarian gains his uh.st-
ence by hunting and by the least possible
cultivation Of the Garth. The civilized man
multiplies his industries, extends bis pro.
duets, makes the earth, the air and The
sea tributary to his desires, aud not content
with simple subsistence, subordinates an
the powers and products Of nature, hy his
diversified skill, and manufacture, into ser.
vitors of his convenience comfort and lux
ury. His civilization is known by his