Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-12-13
Our Country's Danger.

An able and lengthy article has ap-
peared in late number Of the atlantic
Monthly, under the head, Certain Dan
gerous Tendencies of American Life, +"
in which it somewhat severely criticizcs
prevalent sentiments and acts, in both
State and church; and in manner
which, as the writer states, no one has
hitherto ventured to assume. History
shows that with respect to National
church and individual life, during a
time of prosperity, there is morbid
aversion to critical review of character
and proceedings, and Of comparing
them with just standard. We are
much disposed to think that successful
ends must be the outgrowth of correct
axioms and measures. At least, we rest
satisfied in the enjoyment of prosperity,
and dislike to be disturbed by reconsid-
ering the starting point and the steps
by which it has been attained, and seem
to be unconscious of the fact that this
complacency and self -conceit may be the
commencement OF retrograde process,
and are forgetful of the truism that
watching and reviewing are the safe
guards of success; and that even unjust
criticism may sometime be indirectly
beneficial.
The -Atlantic asserts that the late
civil war has led to reconsiderations and
changes which otherwise, probably,
would not have been made, or thought
Of Surely we should be gratified for
any providential circumstance, or any
effort that serves to remind us of dan
gers or of occasions for Improvement.
The Monthly after noticing the OBJ
jectionable state of things in political
and official citizen life, speaks of the re-
ligious element as follows: Fifteen
years since, the nominal faith or religion
of the country was what was called
evangelical, or protestant Its early
creeds and symbols were still UNI
changed; but the real religion Of the
people was already to a great extent a
decorous worldliness; preaching had be-
come more and more speculative and IA
tionalistic. The effect of the
new hunger for wealth and display ex-
tended to religion and its organic actiy-
tiles. = \ X The church is now, for
the most part, depository of social
rather than of religious influences. =
x Its chief force or vitality is no
longer religion 1t speaks, however, of
exceptions to this general rule, in some
who would give more prominence to
holiness of character and purity of NOR
ais, and strongly deprecates this laXity
of principle and action. 1t says they
are alarmed to find the atmosphere and
tone of the church becoming more and
more secular. \ For large class
the church furnishes an opportunity for
pleasant social life. Church work is for
them, in all its forms, kind of sacred
amusement Public worship, with its
oratory and modern church music. is an
aesthetic entertainment. They have
learned how to be Christians, without
self denial, or any abridgement Of the
pleasures, pursuits and ambitions of
people who acknowledge no religious
obligations" 1t notices the fact that
there are but few poor members in the
more prosperous churches, and assigns
the reason that they cannot aspire to
what is now considered good social po-
sition, as that usually depends upon the
style of dress and house furniture more
than upon character Thus arises an
unfratenal, and class feeling among
those who are more successful in ac-
curing wealth." The consequence is,
the class which is the most susceptible
of receiving the truth are virtually shut
off from its influences, and relax into
indifference and skepticism, or infidel-
ity. AN OBSERVER.
(To he IoufiUupI