The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-02-06
From the Christian Standard, Feb. 1, 1879.
STHE SKIES ARE BRIGHTENING :.
ARE TAEYl

From the Christian Standard. Feb. !. 1879.
sTHE SKIES ARE BRIGHTENING.,
ARE THEY!
The Standard seems to he reasonably
happy. Bro. Hinsdale has proved to
its satisfaction, that what some people
have been disposed to call hard times
are really not such, but imaginary.
Bro. Garfield, high in the councils of
the nation, has upheld with invincible
power, the old tine-honored maxims
of finance, which in my boyhood, in
common with both these, I studied
from all the numerous books on Polit-
ical Economy, wherein gold and silver
Especially goldD were proved to be the
only true money, or at least the neces-
sary basis of all currency. At the head
of its Current Topics" the Standard
declares that "gOld is at par" and
elsewhere, that congratulations are al
ready coming to John Sherman, even
from Greenback papers, on the success
of resumption.
To all this I beg in behalf of suffer-
ing humanity and languishing relI-
giOus movements, to offer q few words.
But is humanity suffering, and are re-
ligious movements languishing? We
do not expect Bro. Garfield, nor John
Sherman, nor the President of the
United States, unless they should
chance to embark in some remarkably
wild speculations, to come to bank
who, we are aware, is in the receipt
from all sources, of q very comfortable
revenue. And yet the following facts
are indisputable.
A large class of our people are driven
to the prisons, WOrkhouses and public
charities by the pressure of want 9TH
ers are travelling mendicants, abandon
ed TO crime and misery. Another class
instead of acquiring homes and COM
Portable ivings, are driven to precari-
GUS subsistence upon the receipts OF
their daily labor. Many with honest
industry have striven to pay for farms
and shops, but the toll Of night and
day did not suffice weary anxiety and
broken constitutions have come at last
and they have been compelled to aban-
don their efforts. AS consequence
helpless families have been left in Or
phanage, never to rise out of their
helpless detection, the easy prey of ig-
norance, superstition, drunkenness and
of low and vile influences.
Still more, numerous farmers, the
independent class, natures noble
men," the very best managers in the
country, prudent, careful upright men,
are cutting expenses short, denying
economy, among other things keeping
their children away from school, de'
clining to take religious papers, with
holding their gifts to the missionary
cause, and denying themselves preach
ing, pastoral care and religious culture,
thus gradually lapsing into sordid self
ishness, religious Indifference and un-
belief. We have canvassed most thor
oughly for the Christian Standard, and
we meet the unvarying replies: Cant
afford" "too high" dollar and
half is enough" Nine out of ten are
deaf to all persuasions. We have
preached missionary sermons, and
when hearts were warm and generous,
have made appeals for the cause of
Christ at home and abroad, and only
from those who were willing to suffer
for Christ have we received even pit
tance in response. Wefind extremely
good managers with property paid for,
barely making ends meet, and some
with a surplus on hand, uncertain of
the future, as well they may be, de-
clining to hazard their present security
at the call of generosity or religion. L
can hardly blame them. We must
maintain an independent class for the
of our Institutions. We dare
not incur risks for our families and
asylum, not even if Bro. brennan is
to abandon the gOspel-field
Till he can, by manual labor, acquire
another six months supply of the nee
essaries of life,
Amidst all this there are some pros
porous employments. To serve the
government is generally sufficiently
and salaries and emOluments
need never fear disturbance by un-
legislation. And for these fat
offices, able men, and often dishonest
ones, will contend in desperate strife,
the party lash will be applied, party
luded followers will he marshaled into
ranks of unneighborfy and unchristian
warfare. But your Garfields, Hins-
dales, and L fear the Editor of the
Standard will smooth this all over and
account for it on utterly false reason
ings.
"Our people are too extravagant."
A few are, but this as cause is but
drop in the bucket. There is willing
labor enough in the country to provide
carpets for every room, organs for eve
~ house, and buggies for the comfort
able conveyance of every household.
W. hdtc 1OSG CohAuCuCC LII GULL
other." And SO we ought. None too
soon. Thousands to-day are suffering
,he consequences of their too implicit
reliance upon the honor and ability of
men and the stability of our financial
agairs.
"The Credit System" Within pro-
per limits it is correct system. The
man as fast as he earns a hum
lred dollars has right to invest it
,owards the payment of property. If
to horad it until all is made
ID to expend it in extravaganza. He
las right to trust the future for the
payment of the surplus, with conf |
ience that even if he be compelled to
.bandon his efforts, the sum already |
paid may be regained to himself, the |
.ightful owner. The extortion of $500 |
,r 81 900 and similar sums from hum
lreds of thousands of honest, industri-
,us men by the process of mortgage |
md like legal remedies in this country |
ought to sink us and will in time sink |
Is as a nation. |
"Won't work" Some can not, are |
Iept out of employment for part or all |
# their time, in spite of themselves:
lot been educated to their depravity |
md idleness, or if proper openings |
nd motives for their industry were
'tfered, would mainly forsake their
present life and gradually grow into
,etter habits.
"Over production" Then we ought
o be able to rest awhile and be pros
'erous, or devote our surplus energies
o the production and use of luxuries,
mong which fear we shall be Oblig
d to reckon educational and religious
UNhio uyOulH no tho |