The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-08

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
In this age OF the world revolutions and changes
occur in a short space OF time compared with those
OF former ages. People live faster, accomplish more
and consequently die sooner. But this matters not
so long as the great purposes OF life are accom-
pished. Everything points 10 rapid work-doing
it in the shortest and best way, and wasting
time words. The greatest activity OF body and
mind seems to be necessary; but there is such
want OF harmony, and so much is done in the wrong
direction, that q great amount Of work goes for
notning-vanishes like the morning cloud and the
world Is no better for II. But men must live and
learn and the time will come when We shall truly
'live in deeds, not years.
One OF the great reforms now needed in the pull
nit. Preachers are trained in substantially the
same schools AZ formerly, and latterly have not
advanced in religious ideas so rapidly their
hearers. With difference to the clergy IL Is lament
able that to-day so much education and talent IN
the pulpit amounts to little or nothing. The walk
OF Christians has been very much circumscrbcd by
their teachers. They travel In the same ruts,
think the same thoughts year after year; and be-
hcve it to be wrong to think for themselves or
entertain any religious opinions different from
those they have been taught no matter what
dictate. true Christianity is plain simple and prac.
teal and those who teach II as Christ taught land
they are lew are the really successful ministers Of
religion to-day Many decry against such and call
them sensational preachers, whereas they arc SIM
ply natural, Christian teachers. and test OF the
people listen 10 and embrace the truths taught.
Christ taught plain simple doctrine, and tried 10
draw men unto Him by love and tenderness. but
men often try to drive and brighten people by the
| terrors OF the law, and thus make religion many
times impracticable and odious, when the whole
Christian scheme is based on the law OF love.
Again, ministers often discourse at length on
some historical theme or the Old Testament which
is familiar TO almost every one, and then attempt
| TO draw some fai-fetched conclusions What II
| ''Terah died in Haran,' or Joseph gave command
ment concerning his bones. or that Caleb was the
son OF Jephanneh, and Joshua was the son OF Nun.
| These are mere historical facts, and what have
| they TO DO with the Christianity OF to-day? Yet
| good men preach year after year from these very
| texts and others OF no more Importance, and peo
pie call it gospel, because their minister ''says SOL
and they dare not say aught If they are inclined SO
| TO do.
| The spirit OF man needs TO be enlightened and
his heart enlarged; he should be taught what lie
| is and his relations to God and man. The great
| highway to the future should be opened to him.
and he be led into higher spiritual atmosphere
and a closer communion with God, and have all
| low and narrow views driven from his mind
The soul needs food as well as the BODY, and
when people are hungerng after spiritual food and
furnishing the truth it,is time the teachers OF
religion should comprehend their wants and give
| them what they 30 much need. AMI.