St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-09-17

nave GuclE UOlu
and silver coins are debased or coun-
terfeited. The evils, however, result
ing from impositions of this nature are
not serious. The intelligence of our
people, and the penalties to which of
tenders are subjected, afford adequate
protection and for one hypocrite who
makes false profession, there are at
least nine conscientious, devoted Chris
tlans. Another argument against reli-
gion is that our Savior was an impos-
ter, and that as a corollary, his teach
ings exert a baneful influence. And
yet both of the accusations are dis
proved by the experience of two thou
sand years. If Jesus of Nazareth had
been an impOster, his name and every
thing connected with it would hardly
have survived a second generation.
There would then have been no occa-
sion for the labors of Voltaire, Paine
or Ingersoll. Other and numerous false
teachers have appeared and disappear
ed. But time and truth have been at
testing the divinity of our Savior. His
apostles and their successors, in obedi-
ence to instructions, have carried and
are carrying glad tidings to the utter
most parts of the earth. AS far and as
fast as this gospel travels, the world
is civilized and it's inhabitants bene-
fitted.
CHRISTIANITY's INFLUENCE ON EARTH.
Civilization and its beneficent insti-
tutiOns abound by the religion which
our Savior instructed his apostles to
preach to the heathen. Geographical
lines are not more disticntly established
than those which mark the progress of
missionaries and while religious light
brightens the Christian world, its rays
dawn upon the darkest portions of the
earth. What have the doctrines of Con-
fucius, Mohammed, and other false
teachers, done for their followers, but
to hold them for centuries in ignorance
and barbarisms?
But, returning to our own city, let us
contrast the labors of two prominent
contemporary teachers-one, Moody, a
Christian, and the other, Mr.. Inger-
is self-made and self-educated. Mr..
Ingersoll is gentleman of education,
culture and refinement. That Mr..
Moody's labors have been in the high
est degree beneficial to all classes, will
not be denied. The highest and the
humblest listened with charmed inter
est, and all left the tabernacle better
and happier. The general effect of his
preaching, supplemented by the never
to- -be-forgotten voice of Mr.. Sankey,
cleared, braced and purified the reli-
giOus, moral and social atmosphere of
the city. The labors of Moody and
Sankey were practical. They not only
asked, "What shall the harvest be p
but they obtained in their inquiry
rooms gratifying responses to their
questions. Hundreds of drunkards
were reclaimed, gamblers and prize
fighters were converted, destitute wives
and children and desolate homes have
been made happy and bright by the
rescue and return ofreformed husbands
and fathers. Long and gratefully will
the advent of Moody and Sankey be re-
membered. The city is still fragrant
with tabernacle memories. Mr.. Moody
is turning the results of his labor to
good account. The Moody and Sankey
hymns, well known to the Christian
world, are now sung by native converts
in the interior of Africa. The sale of
these hymns produces a handsome
fund, which Mr.. Moody devotes to mis-
sionary purposes. At his home in
Northfield, Mass, he has erected suit
able building for a mission school and
home for Indian girls, some fifty of
whom from the far west have already
been received. Mr.. Moody, therefore,
has taken up and will carry on the
good work so auspiciously commenced
by the late lamented Father De Smet.
And now l invite Mr.. Ingersoll or any
of his followers to inform the public
how and to what extent they have
profited by his missionary labors in
this city, what salutary reforms he has
inaugurated or even suggested, or in
what manner and to what extent he
has contributed to the general welfare
or happiness of his citizens.