The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1884-06-21

regarded as an evidence of intelli-
gence, public spirit, good taste and
good morals, and they invariably
serve as an incentive to draw
around them q class of people
who make good citizens
good neighbors, and useful members
of society. I have never had occa-
| sion to regret giving q dollar to q
church, but have often regretted that
[ had not more to invest in that way
Every man who by giving five, ten
or fifty dollars is instrumental in the
erection of q church building be-
comes dispenser of good to that
community. not for day, or a year.
or for ten years only, but for genera
tions to come. Who can measure the
amount of good accomplished in this
| way.
Churches are great educators.
Their pulpits at this day are gener-
ally filled with men of at least ordi-
nary intelligence, culture and good
taste, and whose lives are subjected
to the most rigid scrutiny, and from
their discourses much may be learned
that is instructive and usefu! in every
day life. Besides, they educate pub
lie sentiment and, exert greater in-
f1uence upon the life snd morals of
community than many are aware OF.
When Abraham, the father of the
faithful, journeyed from the east to
| and through the land of Canaan,
wherever he pitched his tent, he
erected there an altar unto the Lord.
When the children Of Israel jour>
neyed through the wilderness they
had the movable tabernacle which
was set up whenever they rested, and
| in which was the ark OF the covenant
and where was manifested the pres.
ence of the great Shekina. These in
time were supplanted by the beauti-
| full temple at Jerusalem which was
more suitable to their settled condi>
ton, and the fame of which has
gone over all the earth. The great
object OF all these was to preserve in
the minds of men sense of the pres
ence of the God of heaven and to keep
the heart true and loyal to
Him whose law is the rule of right.
Churches answer the same purpose
to-day. They are to our homes and
firesides, to our morals, to our So
ciety, to all those institutions that
are dear to us as a people, what the
walls of Jerusalem that Nehemiah
built were to him, what the dykes of
Holland are to the inhabitants who
live near the sea which constantly
threatens them with destruction.
In every christian church is taught
allegiance to God, which we hold to
be the true basis of morality. Every
building erected and maintained in
the proper spirit becomes a mighty
power in this direction. The very
presence Of its upward pointing
spire seems to direct the mind up
ward 70 God and heaven and eternal
life, while the sound of the tOlling
bell ringing through the mountains
and echolng over the valleys
breaches and re-preaches many ser.
mons, brings up many long forgotten
lessons, reviews many memories anC
uuickens the consciences and stir!
the hearts of many who, perhaps
never 90 inside their walls. The
church becomes, or should become
the center where the purest princi
pies are taught, where the stronges
moral forces are exerted, the tender
est, noblest and purest sentiment:
are fostered and developed in ole
and young-forces, principles ant
sentiments that enter into the high
est type OF character, and fit us fol
the duties that We owe to God, tt
ourselves and to each other in all tn
relations Of life.
l am glad this house is not to b'
; built by one man nor one class y
men, 1t would not be so likely t.
accomplish the purpose sought. A
it is, these offerings, some of which
have been baptized with tears ant
accompanied by earnest prayers, ar
soon to take tangible form in build
ing which it is earnestly hoped viii
bring glory to God, unite the heart
of all who have contributed to it il
sympathy and love and in one grant
work, and bring heavens choices
blessings upon this community.
trust that in years to come you viii
|. never have cause to regret having
contributed towards its erection.
To complete the work We have herr
undertaken will require our united
F earnest, patient, persevering effort
It is no easy as it is no ordinary task
We have endeavored to make th'
, building creditable and tasty in style
strong, durable, commodious, com
. Portable and convenient.
And we earnestly solicit, as W.
: shall endeavor to deserve, the gooe
: will and hearty cooperation of th'
public until the work here com
menced is carried forward to compile
ton, and the capstone is brough
forth with shoutings of "Grace
grace unto it," And We trust tina
this building shall stand for genera
tions yet to c me as an instrument
for e ,od and monument of the lib
era!ity and public spirit of our people
A correspondent writes to the New
York World to have controversy
settled relative to the wealth Of James
G. Blaine. In answer that journal
saws, MIR. Blaine has made great
| :.,1 ~ ,,,oooxy opI ho has ovponIoi