New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1880-08-11
Let Us Have Pure Air.

"A curious experiment was tried some
years ago for the purpose of testing a
new ventilating apparatus which had
been placed in large church building.
Some of the trustees had opposed the
purchase of the "new>1eagled notion "
as . useless expense, and It was to con-
vince them of the utility of it that the
experiment was made. The occasion
was lecture by a famous orator. The
church was crowded to its utmost ca
pacity. 1t was observed, however, that
every one seemed to be uncommonlv
comfortable and attentive, while even
the lecturer failed to exhibit the physi-
cal distress usually attendant upon ener-
getic speaking in a crowded building.
In order to show the immense differ.
ence between good ventilation and tho
want OF it, the sKeptical trustees were
taken to position where they could get
a full view of the audience, and the VEN
tilators were closed. In few moments
the entire aspect of things changed.
The speaker began to labor and per-
spire, and the listeners to grow restless
and inattentive, tidgeting about with the
tndescribable movement which so clearly
indicates WEAKNESS and discomfort.
Then the ventilators were reopened.
and in a moment or two every body was
at ease again-and the doubling trus-
tees were ready to pay double for the
apparatus, if necessary to secure it.
The moral of this little story is plain.
If we want attentive audiences in our
churches and lecture-halls we must have
pure air. That it is not impossible to
secure it, the instance that we have Civ
en-, and many others of similar charac-
ter, amply prove. It is said, for exam
pie, that the system of ventilation in Dr.
John Halls Church is so thorough that
the temperature does not rise more than
three or rOur degrees after the church is
full. Let us leave of some of the orna-
mentatiop of our churches, if necdfuf,
and provide proper ventilation. The
worship of the Lords house will be far
more enjoyable and profitable in plain
room thoroughly ventilated than in the
most magnificent building full of ex-
hausted air and foul odors.
This is equally true with respect to
school-houses. Children can learn to
read, and write, and spell, and even
founder through all the ornamental
branches" in a building as plain as a
Quaker bonnet; but they can not study
to advantage, nor keep strong and
healthy, if the air in the school-room is
close and poisonous. It is not beyond
the reach of human achievement to Sc
cure pure air in school-rooms; and it
ought to be the first consideration, in
planning the building, to provide for
such an abundant supply of sweet air
that the rooms shall never he unwhole-
somely close, no matter how many
children are placed in them. If parents
understood the absolute necessity OF this
to the physical aud mental growth Of
their children, they would insist upon
thorough ventilation with even more ur-
gency than they insist upon thorough
instruction.
The season is now at hand when
houses must be closed against the Bit
ing winter winds. Our churches and
school rooms, heated with stoves or fur
naces, will continue to be, as heretofore,
manufactures Of slow poison, unless
special care is taken to provide for the
admission of outside air in some proper
way. We commend the subject to the
attentive consideration of church and
school trustees. They can not do q
greater service to those whose material
interests are committed to them than to
make ample provision for the thorough
ventilation of the buildings under their
care. They have as trustees no more
pressing duty to perform than this
Ernsoos,opse n.,1 nhsn.,:r1o