, 1874-02-26

We are falleu upon timo Of agitation. There
ia general shaking up of tho virtues and tho
vices, and tho pools Of society are being vigor-
oualy atirred by the angels Of reform. Whether
thoir waters will acquire. any curative proper
tics In the operation remains to be seen, but we
may at least ho6lp1o that something good will re-
suit from all this shaking up. The little tenn
peranco ripple which agitatoa an Ohio village
{ow weeks ago has grown into a great
wave which Is swoeping all over the
country. Tho female crusaders arc on
the war-path against whisky In ovory
part OF Ohio. The temperance tsbernacles are
rolling through Indiana, Notwithstanding the
pet bears and orchostrionH and occasional dol
uges OF water and beer with which tho saloon
keepers strive in vain to obstruct the onward
progress OF tho movement In Illinois, Iowa,
Kansas, Nebraska, Tennessee, New York. Penn
sylvania. and Now England, the crusaders arc
lighting their camp-ares and preparing to be-
slege the strongho1ds OF rum and ruin with
psalm andpraycr. and those failing, with tho moro
carnal woapona Of legal processes. The revival
lists are also on tho march with their spiritual
weapons nowly FURNISHED, seeking recruits to
serye under the white banner Qf tho Prince OF
Poaco, aud, although they are now concentrating
their most strenuous efforts upon such. no.
toziously wicked placos as st. Louis and Milwau-
koe, all signs indicate that 1t will not DO long
before the sinners aud backslidera Of Chicago
and other citias wilt bo called upon to
repent, for tho Kingdom Of Heaven iB at
hand. The roformers arc also upon the
track Of tho gamblers and tho Bocial
evil. Tho churches themselves arc agtating
their own members and shepherds. Juat when
1t was supposed that tho Plymouth Church scan-
dal Was settled ut brothorly mceting Of the
Revs. Deocher. storrs, and Buddinston, 1t breaks
out afresh, and tho two latter gentlemcn arc do
tormined that Doocher shall be regulated into
the old-faslloned practices Of Congregational.
ism. The new Reformed Episoopalan Church
ovory now and thon sets some ahaky brother In
the old Church adrift from his moorings, aud
towa him to tho now anchorago.grouuds Of Cum
mins md Cheney. We hardly mood recall
tho recent Ritualistio agitation in Wisconsin,
which developed such profusion OF opithota
and hnrd names. In our own city, Prof. Swing
is aet down Us = hereto because his thinking
leads him now and then out Of the dog1natio
ruts Of John Knox. Dr.. Patton, Of the Interior,
is very properly atlgmatized by his brethren III
the pulpit as btBybody engaged IN stirring UP
harmful nnimoaities. DR.. Eyerts has been call.
cd alt sorts Of bard namos by brethren both in
nnd out OF Lis denomination for slandering o1lo
OF lis own cloth. DR.. McKnig has
already been giyou up by tho conservative
prosbyteriaus as scientific unbeliovor or misbo
liover tainted with Darwin, Huxley, and Spencer
Where the beligorent MCCARTHY will land, M
| ono cal, say but It may bo safely assumed that
! ho will rend lis church in twain, and that tue
agitation will then get out Of tho church into the
courts, Mqauwhllo It La Lent, aud, although
faithful Eplscopalians should enjoy Hplritna
rest, tho war botwoen tho two Dishopn knows nj
cessation, aud tho courts still grind out th'
strife between Whitehouso aud tho 1oouaan'
Veatry Of Christ Church.
But It Ia not aloue in tho domain Of temper
auco md religion that wo find agitation. 7
prevails everywhere, aud. wcro 1t not that theh'
poriols Of agitation have boon known before
It would almost Hoom IS It tho foundations o
things wero breaAlng up. Although election i
long ways OF, tho political kettle is boiling
and no one can yet foreaoe tho result:'' Tho reo
ploaso agitatlnE public corruptions asthoy wot
never agitatsdbefose. 'Ths asaugozs aro agltAtin