Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1874-06-24
Miscellany.


--3I 2'a From the Christian Union.
Preaching for the Multitude. r,
The city 10 which reside. in Western
New York, has hitherto sustained an ex-
ccllent reputation for good morals and
good order; but within few years many
large manufacturing interests have con-
centrated here, the population has incr cas-
ed rapidly, and immortality aud crime
now seem to be on the increase. i' ''
ln the evening, and especially upon the
Sabbath-day, weather permitting, large
concourse Of citizens come forth upon the
streets seeking pleasure and amusement.
These people are "naturally as good as
anybody" but they rarely attend church,
and receive but little. if any. religious in-
struction from our ministers of the Gospel.
We have several large and commodious
public halls that can be rented, bur they
are rarely used for religious purposes on
the Sabbath-aay. l}"E4 sH3 b. '' A'''' ''
We have many learned and eloquent
preachers, but they never preach to the
"rabble.' We have many large and
beautiful churches, but they are almost
exclusively occupied by their builders
and owners. l attended one Of these
churches last Sunday evening II is Of
the modern style and structure. The
walls are of stone, even the cap of the
lofty and graceful spire the pulpit and
pews are of black walnut the floors are
covered with rich carpet, soft to the
touch and delicate in pattern; the gallery
is large enough for quartette choir and
magnificent organ deckcd with blue and
gold. Gas jets, unnumbered by me,
threw brilliant light over the splendid
scene. The congregation was not large,
yet occupied the whole church. Clothed
in garments luxuriant and tasteful. they
adjusted themselves to the enjoyment Of
the spacious and elegant comforts pre-.
pared by themselves for themselves.
After the ponderous bell ceased tolIing,
the choir sanga selection, as supposed. /.
from one of the old masters. '''N "''-' .
Looking over this assemblage Of the
educated and refined, their names upon
their pews, and assured Of their record in
the Lambs Book Of Life, l could not ap.:
preciate the great necessity Of preaching
to them. Yet the eloquent pastor devoted
twenty minutes to calling sinners to re-
pentance. The chapter he read from the
Bible and the theme Of his prayers and
sermon seemed applicable to the spiritual
wants and necessities Of a class Of people
who we're not present, but who were
roaming the streets outside the walls Of
that fashionable edifce. aspraq lad
B To the thoughtful observer there seems
to be serious misappreheusion of duty
apd great misapplIcation ofmoney and
talent in spreading the Gospel in cities.
Concede that it is the privilege Of the rich
and the righteous to build fine churches
with luxurious appointments, and to en-.
ploy eloquent diyincs tc preach to them !;
but do these "close corporations" render
the Gospel acceptable to the needy !? Or
do they furnish it to the poor without
money and without price? II is not nec-
essary to make any ungracious criticisms,
but all the ministers in this large city
know, that the large class of people who
most require religious instruction do not
aud will not attend these elegant churches
where they oficiats, and that the reason
Of their absence is something IN human ma
tnre that canont be iespised. and that
cannot bc ascribed to o"total depravity +"
Our Savior said that he came upon Garth
that the Gospel might be preached TO the
poor, and cannot ministers who claim to
be commissioned by him, and who would
follow bis example, devise some way IN
which they can preach to tho sinful and
neglected masses ! Wv.
- How TO IMPROVE GONNA corresponds