New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-04
UIED TLMIN IND EEIICILN.

TN, of IN. remarkable results of the panic OF
1871 WAS great wave Of religious rrNivAllSn
that swept over The country Sine" Then 1t has
been noted that hard times have generally been
followed by II religious awakening II IL not
difficult ro understand why this should ID" So.
II is the ourworking Of trait IN human nature
which j. not altogether admirable. When men
lose their earthly treasure they begin to think
Of laying up treasures in heaven. reverse
81 fortune that d"priv"S them Of me means io
enjoy IN" pleasures Of IN" world forces them
~ last resort 10 Try the comforts AMI c"nS"la-
tiun> of religion. II would b. unfair To say
that all who turn Ia religion in a time of dis
astrr belong To this class. But probably Il great
ma ioriiy do Nevertheless. it is III" duty of The
churches 10 welcome and receive them.
They must take human nature a> they find
H. and not inquire too closely into the motives
Of those who for whatever reason desire 10
turn from evil 10 righteousness.
Whether or not The present era of hard times
will result in religious awakening IS just now
Il matter Of speculation. OR rather. II Is SAID
that the awakening has already begun. TIL"
religious enthusiasm in Brooklyn j. said 10 be-
widespread and constantly increasing. Sue
ccssful rrvivals have been held in numerous
towns in This State and lars" number of
churches throughout the country report an in
creased interest in religious matters. )r. Park
hurst Is reported fo have explained the matter
ly The remark When stocks go down religion
goes up" and Or Collycr. Unitarian, rccog
nizcs in all such religion, awakcnings The hui
man cry. God help me-.
Now every good citizen. whether he is for
mally Il Christian or not. must hope thai many
people will find spiritual gain in their tenn
pornl loss. \ higher standard of living is al
ways desirable. But. unfortunately. when men
take up religion because they are in hard luck
they are too apt 10 think Of religion as some
inward thought or attitude that practically has
little To do with conduct They hasten to make
their peace with the theological system which
in the days of their prosperity they threw over
board: and having done so they unconscously
come To think that they have become religious
again We have nothing 10 say against systems
Of theology. Through the least divine of them
men have attained to the lofticSt ideals of right
collsncss; but IL does seem that whcn through
the stress of hard times. great bodies Of men
are driven back into the churches there is
urgent need Of imprcs>ing upon them the truth
that religion Is life. II there is 10 be- Il great
religious awakening rs The result of orr present
adversely LET Ii MANIFEST ITSELF, not only on
The membership rolls Of the churches. but In
the social and individual life of every com
muniiy. Let the man who makes Il profession
Of religion ask himself how he can do his duty
rs a citizen Of the State; how he can best pro-
mote the moral welfare Of the community in
which he resides: in short. how he can make his
life IN inspiration and blessing 10 all around
him II there shall be- Il revival of such Il char.
acfer MS this. IL will be some compensation for
the misery caused by the hard times.