The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-16

mocracy in November next far better than the
melancholy ghost of the dark lantern.
The Religion OF America During the
Summer Months.
The time of Summer is now present in all
its plenitude, and it cannot be doubted that
in consequence of its arrival great deal of
the religion Of the people, and of their minis
tiers with them, has passed into the depths Of
comparative inertia. The worship of the land,
both public and private, may be said to be the
victim of coup de solel. And this is no new
occurrence. The sun of June has always been
sufficient to make the average American put
dense cover Of listlessness over his high rela-
tons to the Almighty. Every year, when May
begins to vanish, the freest people in the
world prepare with all their energy, and with
all their extravaganza, to do what they desig-
nate ''recuperating to lead life of costly
ease, and to have but very little to do with
heaven.
Certainly business is suspended in great
degree when the Summer comes in, and va
cation in the country, at the seashore or in
Europe is most justifable thing. But this
does not give law for on extinction of religion,
which is but little less than complete. Reli-
gion is the tie that is between God and man.
But when Summer enters the scene does the
Creator relax the force and sanctity Of this
tie? Is the Creator not over the human con-
science in June as well as in September, in
July as we'll as in October, in August as well
as in November? Such withdrawal of the
Almighty from jurisdiction over His creatures
is inconceivable. A conception of this nature
would lead to the outright negation Of the
Deity God, undoubtedly, is the maker and
sender of the Summer, and He makes it and
sends it for the good of men. But there is
nothing in its constitution, either as season
or as gift, that gives men authority to put in
force general suspension of their religious
obligations during the whole term of its
presence. God does not vacate His throne
when the sun becomes torrid in its heat, and, as
people die as much in July as in December,
nothing can be more certain than that the
Eternal Judge does not put the months as dead
weights into the scales of His justice.
This general putting away of the universal
law of religion during the Summer months is
not commendable thing. 1t is lucrative
practice for barrooms, for billiard saloons
for the getters-up of balls and for steamship
proprietors. But there is nothing in it that
elevates the soul to its Maker.
Here, however, medium line must be
drawn. The Summer brings with it certain
indulgences; and absolute Puritanism and
Phariseeism must be vigorously hindered from
interfering with its lawful enjoyments. The
earth cannot do without the Summer: and
neither can men do without home relaxation
in all the duties OF their life. 1t is not the
! divine law that the human head is to be always
is natural, necessary and a bene-
fetal pleasure which it is lawful which it is
even religious to mix in.
The true natural theology of the case, then,
is that partial suspension of religious wor-
ship is admissible during the burning heats
of Summer. This, we know, is delicate
point to lay down but in view of the burn
ing heats and of their consequences on the
health, it cannot be easily impugned with
success. The difficulty is to settle the degree
of the suspension. And yet the difficulty is
more apparent than real. The constant con-
venient recurrence of the Sunday-the one
great day of worship-disposes of it That day
is only one in seven it is, therefore, easy to
discharge on it the natural religious duty il
is day solemnly and absolutely commanded
to be kept holy; there must, therefore, be
always worship on the Sunday. This reason
ing applied to the Summer appears to give the
prescription that wherever Christians are de-
crying the Sundays of the Summer they are
bound to make some becoming manifestations
Of worship to the Almighty on those days.
| This suits the Catholic Church, which oblipes
every one of its members that is able to do
so to hear mass on Sunday it suits the Epis-
copalians, who are very strict for the Sabbath;
and it suits the evangelical churches, which,
to their honor be it said, do great deal during
the Summer for the religious campaigns OF
the Fall and Winter. The only difficulty
connected with it is that too many of
old, of the men and of the gentle sex
make it dead letter. There are temples
for worship at the Summer resorts; but the
great majority of Christians stay away from
them with cold determination. Here is the
misfortune Of the case. The day is conven-
lent the divine command is plain not
much is asked the temples are wide open !;
but the vast majority of Israel firmly stay
away.
Can nothing be done TO break up this CON-