The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1877-11-01


We effect but little with the abundant
material devised unto ms. We produce
no literature worthy of the name. We
have not the Christian life necessary to
it's production. ] would not disparage
the works of our antecedents, on the
contrary, would offer them all honor
and veneration, but this does not ex-
cuse us from emulating their virtues,
or striving to meet the wants which
everchanging times create.
In Louisiana we have not well sus-
tanned journal, through the columns OF
which distant churches may hold Pc
,iodical communion. And this, too, IN
The face OF The fact. that we are culti-
waited, reading people. Thousands Of
Baptist families are scattered over the
State, who yearn hopelessly for that
sympathy, found only within the de-
nominational pale. No, not hopelessly !;
for still we hope, with Christian
tenacity for such dispensations as will
end our isolation, yet we do yearn, and
without visible prospect of realization.
This failure to cultivate and encour-
age our literature is not altogether from
want of means, for although we are not
wealthy people, in the main we are
in comfortable circumstances and not
luxurious in habit.
The New Orleans Baptist Messenger
has long been struggling through an
almost imperceptible existence, and
without capital, without patronage,
ever and anon, it sends forth its distri-
butive rays of church and spiritual
communion, and knocking at the doors
of religious sympathy, beseeches us to
receive it, and with it, sacred net
work, linking together all the churches
within its irradiations. Yet we, appre-
ciating the necessity of a denomina-.
tional journal, we, who are furnishing
as it were, for church communion, we,
who of all others, because of the church
distinctiveness of orr organization. re-
quire facilities of lntercommunication
will not receive it. 1 can not do SO
gross an injustice TO myself or fellow
members rs TO suppose that the trif1ing
subscription price of one dollar per an
mum is an obstacle 10 it's circulation.
1t were vain TO urge that its editorial
corps is not imposing, rs it is manifestly
unreasonable to presume that the lite
rary talent Of the church would be de-
voted to particular branch of the SER
vice, when there is not either promise
of even meagre Subsistence Or pros
pect of benefit to others.
We have at our command as great
ability rs is to he found anywhere, and
when we have shown disposition to
appreciate, or to be benefited by its ex-
ercise, no fear but that it will serve MS,
and serve with power and effect. As it
is, the Messenger is conducted with no
mean ability and literary discrimina-
ton; it is well worthy Of place in
every family circle; well calculated 10
effect good in sustaining high tone OF
moral character, and above all. of diff
fusing The refining influences of Chris
tianity, which so well temper the in
clinations of old and young in seasons
OF prosperity, and sustain and control
the animal spirits in those Of adversely.
So il can be from none of these
causes that its support fails, but, as
am well assured, it is from apathy, reli-
gious apathy,-the same that renders
us so indifferent to ali save1success in
our individual objects, whether spirit.
ual or temporal. As I have said, thou.
sands of us are now yearning for church
communion and the sympatllies of fel.
lowsllip, which this paper would, il
successful, SC greatly promote, Or sup.
ply, and we should arouse ourselves
from this lethargy and supineness,
which pervade us in too great a degree,
both as Christians and as church.
| III we would act in this matter we
must act without delay, for delay might
mean precipitase failure. The Messen.
ger now struggling for existence may
in one month or a few weeks hence be
numbered with the things of the past
stand as record against ms as people
aud a church, a record of our having
been weighed end found wanting. i