Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-12-03
question can give 1t In few words, but
| feel Won will not haljeva mo


Others. Therefore it has in 1t what tn,
people need. 1t satisfies.
Reflect, and draw your own conclusions
ADDENDUM
The above short essay was written sole
ly for the ears of the ministers. Yet sine,
twas favorably received, although not il
all things fully endorsed by them, it wa.
deemed well to publish 1t in the hope OF
inducing those of the laity to think
Most men fear, intelligent men too, ar,
not given to thinking, although all are Civ
en- to talking, on religious matters. Theil
Judgment means their "opinion." Tc
form an opinion requires little effort, anc
often even the opinion is borrowed one
For while boasting that they do think fol
themselves many will fling out as a serious
objection the stale remains Of some "chest.
nut" that has been roasted and shelled g
hundred years ago. We are not afraid OF
the thinker who thinks. But does no,
that allow large field for private iudg.
ihShN' SNAtoiHiJ > hCu IL Is y IHHuWtus
but the field has its fences. To be judy.
ment the testimony must have been exam.
ined and the proof seen. To be raluable
Judgment requires that all the proofs be
had and actually examined. To be COM
petent judgment requires competence on
the part of the Judge; in other words,
that hp ha iuIUa nf ha pnf oil
real judgment supposes serious thought
One of the objects of preaching is to give
impulse and direction to serious thought
The grace of God will do the rest An
other object is to have the case exposed
and the proofs examined. But cannot all
this be done without church and preacher? ?
No; inclination, business, temptation,
lack of ability, stand in the way. Besides
God has ordered 1t otherwise. Go forth
and preach" said He. Hear the church :"
He that heareth you heareth Me" And
comes by hearing, adding And how can
you hear unless it be preached unto you.
Now who are they who avoid the church?
Those who boast descent from the pilgrim
fathers. Those fathers were men "of
sterner stuff" They are more honored in
beseeming lives than by loud words To
than native land, its practice worthy the
sacrifice of life. From the wild forest
rose their humble temple. Silence and
danger lurked without, peace and harmony
dwelt within, Has their spirit departed
with the forest that is dead: or does it live
in their children? Shall it be said that
now when peace and industry bless the
land without, the silence Of the forest
shall reign within the temple: They hated
Catholics and priests (for in reality they
knew US not) Shall it indeed be said that
now the Catholic and the priest shall alone
stand to admire and emulate their virtues
and cast the mantle of charity on their
vices: Or shall We all rather bend an
humble knee to the God they adored and
Lord, believe; help Thou my
unbeief?"
Some men by their position and endow-
ments are natural leaders of the people.
would ask such, where are you leading
them: IL they, with raised eyebrows.
ask, Am / my orotner Keeper | an
swer, yes; as far as example goes Your
position is your stewardship. You will be
asked to render an account OF your stew
ardship." But who are you that presume
TO advise me?' | am asked. Il am the
voice Of one crying out in this wilder
ness" But what is your authority"
That is just what | would like to have you
The whole question rests there.
| say. think. Reading and prayer
are good spectacles for thinker on
subject like this.