Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-03-03
The Patriotism of Public Worship

Robert Ingersol and the agnostic- in
vain utter their cold and weeping rhctori-
cal periods against the Christian Faith and
the great objects 1t aims to secure. Religion
il necessity of the human heart and is
required by all the higher interest. Of
society and of government. Public wor-
ship in the ediiice reared for that purpose
Is necessary to the welfare of the com
munity and the state. To give IL support
by personal presence and financial contri-
button is the duty of all good citizens. 1t
was a noble patriotism which sent so
many Of our younger citizens
to the battle field TO defend
the Nation against rebel cannon
and to Withstand the deadly assaults of
State rights and Of pro-slavery dogmas.
But history clearly proves that there are
social and irreIigiou~ evils even more
dangerous to the welfare Of the Nation
than the attacks of rebel regiments aud of
foreign armies aud fleets. TO Withstand
these insidious, gradually advancing,
moral foes, it Is the duty, the imperative
demand, of patriotism for our citizens to
uphold tine canse of religion and good
order by maintaining worship on the
Sabbath by personal attendance ia the
churches. To allow society to be under
mined by vice and irreligion il even more
dangerous to the hamlet the town. and
the city than to have them over-run by
an armed enemy or by II fire that sweeps
away the banks. stores and merchandise
of oar citizens. These can soon be- re-
placed by mechanical energy aud skill
but the destructive, deep-pcrvading in
tlncnces of irreligion, If lax morality and
de serted churches, are far more injurious
to public welfare. aud far more difficult
to remedy. France could stand the
terrible defeats of Waterloo aud Sedan
aud in few years show remarkable re-
covery of national prosperity and re-
juvenatinn of the political hopes of her
people. But the fearful consequences of
her irreligion aud neglect of public
worship are still strilingly obvious to all
who visit her chief towns and cities
and her best mcn and women will
have to labor many years to get
her on the sure track of moral aud re-
ligious safety.
In the United States. for what is be
licved To be FOR wise reasons, church
worship aud church expenses are all
voluntary nobody is taxed without his
consent So much the more reason,
therefore. that We should show how much
we prize our liberty 10y not trying to get
rid of contributing our share to maintain
public worship and public order. We go
on n fishing excursion. or Il picnic to the
aud the rccuperation of the trip aud the
entertainment, aud all consider it fair and
honorable Ia pay their part, and would
deem it mean to sneak out scott-free.
throwing the bills on the rest. Public
worship being public necessity rs much
as the tire department, the police force, or
the public highway, no lihcral-souled man,
no high-minded citizen will refuse his
presence, his time, his purse. to its sup
port. BE you Catholic. Congregations
alist, Episcopalian, Baptist, Methodist,
Universalist, Unitarian, or of whatever
sect, or of no sect, the duty of one is the
duty of all. Fair play. common Justice,
social responsibility, regard for your
family. true patriotism, but above aud
before all, proper reverence for the God
and Father in whose bands are the welfare
and fate of individuals and of nations,
demand that we should attend public
worship in our churches ON the sabbath,
thereby gaining profit to mind. heart and
body, and showing proper respect to the
best public opinion of the land.