Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 April 1875 — Is it the “Spirit of God”? [ARTICLE]

Is it the “Spirit of God”?

It is reportod that a partw of 1,200 men will leave Kansas for tW Black Hills about the Ist of May, to prospect for gold. A party of about 200 recently started from Yankton for that region. People in Jasper county better plow and plant corn for the present. There will be time enough to go out after the government has arranged to obtain peaceable possession ot the county from the Indians, and these parties of adventurers have discovered whether gold exists there in paying quantities or not. Should it turn out that the excitement has been created by interested persons for purposes of speculation, as many prudent people think is the case, a good crop ot corn will be much better to have thau an empty purse when winter sets in.

Most all of the enterprising and respectable newspapers in the United States have been or are now defendants in libel suits; Mr. Storey, of the Chicago Times, was recently imprisoned for constructive contempt of court arising from an alleged libel upon thegraud jury of Cook county. Mr. Dana’s paper, the New York Sun , is constantly defending suits of this kind. The New York Tribune has one or two on hand pretty much all the time. The Indianapolis Journal , is now sned by two different parties on libel complaints. And so it is all over the country. Wherever there is an editor of ability, or the proprietors of a newspaper have the enterprise to collect news and the courage to publish it, and if plain language is used when discussing the merits or demerits of public officers or candidates for office, then and there it may he expected that some public thief or scalawag has been offended and instituted proceedings for money reparation. Tt is safe to assume in nearly every case of the kind that the plaintiff* is either an unprincipled villain who thus attempts to obtain revenge because his schemes have been thwarted, or else he is lacking good common sefise which should learn from the experience of ninety-nine in every hundred cases, of similar kind that it is a hazardous way of obtaining a livelihood. Not tmfrequently, perhaps, the plaintiffs are lacking both honesty and sense.

Elsewhere we publish the proceedings of a meeting of citizens recently held in the northern part c«f this county, in relation to the use ot unoccupied lands for the purpose of herding cattle. While we sympathize with those who have settled in thst region for the purpose of developing it and bringing it into a state_of cultivation and productiveness and making themselves homes, many of whom are poor men and numbers having large families to support, we hope and confidently trust*they will act wisely in the matter of their grievances. hile it seems a hardship and not altogether up to a standard of equity that men by their struggling labors should be compelled tb enhance the value of the prop-1 ecty of others on account of its; proximity to their own improvements, without receiving some compensation therefor, still it must also be recollected that it a person reuts iand for certajn purposes—buys a pasture permit—paying his money therefor, he, too, has rights in law and equity that ought to be respected. They should not forget that citizens of one State are entitled to go into another State to engage in business pursuits, no matter whether that business be the practice of law, preaching the gospel, teaching school, or herding cattle. If a man leases lands for specific purposes, whether to grow corn, nSake bricks, herd cattle, or what not, the laws of the country will protect him in his acquired rights. It is ft matter to be regretted no doubt that so large a portion of our county is owned by nonresidents. It would be far better for j those who live here if it was all owDed by citizens of the county, enclosed and cultivated. Oar prosperity would be still greater if people living here were wealthy enough to p»n stock sufficiently numerous to

consume the spontaneous productions ot its soil; and that this is not the case is no doubt a great misfortune. The only safe and lawful course that suggests itself to us fair the people of the northern townships of our county to adopt, if they would control the pasture and meadow lands which surround them, is to themselves lease those iands. If it pays citizens of Illinois and Michigan to lease them and employ men to herd their cattle there, why will it not pay residents to lease them and turn their attention to herding?

There is nothing new of a definite character or very interesting nature in regard to the railroad prospects to lay before the readers of The 'Union this week. It is reported that Mr. Clifford has thrown up his contract to grade the road bed from the Kankakee river to Monticello, because tho people of Jasper county will not advance any money on the work. Mr. Ditto, of Chicago, was here this week looking over the ground and making inquiries with the design of bidding tor the contract abandoned by Mr. Clifford. Tuesday evening an informal meeting of a dozen or so of the wealthier citizens of liensselaer and vicinity was held in Messrs, li. S. & '/. Dwiggins’ office, at which a spirit was manifested and pledges were made that are quite encouraging, though the results of the conference have not sufficiently matured to bo published. One hint, however, it may not be imprudent to remark, and that is, there will be no difficulty in securing the amount of local aid required it farmers who are interested in having a good .market at this point will be as liberal ill making donations for this purpose in proportion to their means and tlie benefits they are to derive as people in town will make. Just now if all who are interested in thismatter will act harmoniously, looking forward to what is clearly for the great and lasting benefit of all, a mighty work will be accomplished. We of this region are now in the midst of a critical period of our prosperity. Within the next thirty days will he decided the destiny of this place with reyard to its commercial prospects for fifty years—perhaps forever. Readers of The Union may have remarked that we have been exceedingly cautious not to eicile hope unduly, or to publish sensational reports about the prospects of this project. People had been deceived so many times by what proved to be only glittering chimeras that we determined never to urge anything of the kind upon their consideration until we felt convinced that it was possible to accomplish a definite result by vigorous action. One of the proprietors of this paper lias been placed in position to learn the motives, designs and hopes of the gentlemen who control this enterprise, and it. is from knowledge thus gained that we now say to our fellow citizens that the supreme moment for action has arrived. l>e wise and let it not pass without a determined effort to .secure advantages that have eluded us for thirty ; years. Act, act at once, act all together, that it may never be said we were indifferent to our own welfare as a community.

In a private letter dated April Ist, Mr. R. B. James, a foimer resident of this place now living in Crawford county, Kansas, says that thousands of acres of oats had been sown there, and £ome of his neighbors had already commenced planting corn. Some, however, were disheartened by the disasters of last year, filled with unhappy forebodings of the future, and giving themselves up to repining and imbecile longings for the good old times they enjoyed before they were deluded by Horace Greeley's humbug advice to go West and grow up with the couutry. Others, again, possessing strong, healthy good sense,, are cheerful under adversity, waste neither tearsnortime over spilt milk, and are. planting more land in crops than ever before. Business has opened opt very brisk in Rensselaer this spring, and the promise is that the present season will be far better than last was, or perhaps even better than any season sinfce 1871.

Editors Union: With your permission I will make a proposition through your paper to the ministers or leaders of any or all of the orthodox churches, for the advancement of science or knowledge, if not for the good of the worid. The teachings of all these churches is that the “spirit of God” is the active agent in the conviction and con-: version of sinners—in getting up and carrying on revivals of religion, etc., etc. Now, no doubt, it will be considered extremely wicked and presumptuous Co question this; no matter, we are not seeking the pfaise of men. We think an honest man will feel more enjoyment in the knowledge of truth. And to seek the truth honestly and always is certainly no immorality. Honestly, we question whether the spirit of God has anything to do in a revival of religion. More likely the common idea is a misapprehensions or delusion. Then the Christian, if lie should ever recover from his shock, would likely ask, What is it that makes people feel happy, and resolve to live a new life? We answer, if any other agent will account for it just as well wc might just as well suppose it is the true one. It is difficult to prove anything contrary to the almost universal belief. But more likely the ministers of the gospel have more to do in the conversion of sinners and running revivals than the spirit of God dues. Thj people believe the gospel to be true; tlie minister : preaches it so as to take hold of their feelings; they are convicted find resolve to live as it requires, j They are converted; who does it? ! They convert themselves, under the influence of the preacher, in view of what they believe to be the truth. One minister may preach a lifetime and produce no effect, while another, preaching the same truth, in tlie same words, will |at once excite his hearers and cause them to act. Tt is likely the difference may be attributed to the electrical condition or power of the speaker. The magnetic power of some men is wonderful. Such might be said to have “a call to preach.” They drive what they conceive to be truth right home to the hearts and consciences of men. Likely a current passes from the speaker to his hearers which causes them to feel solemn or happy as the case may be. The same is true of certain impressive political speakers. They are said to “electrify the. people.” So they do. The people become excited, shout, apI plaud and rejoice. Surely no one would call this religions excitement, and yet if it were eternal* life,, and crowus of glory, and. the meeting of departed friends in the New Jerusalem, instead of supposed political good, the most pious, perhaps, could not distinguish the difference. It is likely they are identical operations of an identical power, and the spirits and feelings of the people warmed up by electrical or magnetic friction and sympathy will account for all such excitements. A few days since a minister said in meeting “I don’t want you galvanized on the outside merely; but clear through.’ 1 ’ Galvanism was discovered by an experiment in whiclUii current of electricity waked up and set in motion some dead frogs. If this fluid has such power over dead frogs, what might be expected if it was brought to bear upon living men?

But I started out to make this proposition: Let any orthodox minister of tlie gospel, or as manv such as choose, bring into Rensselaer or any neighboring town where they have had a revival of religion, on a day to be agreed upon, any uumber not less than three of the most excitable converts, generally considered the best Christians, and we will subject them to certain magnetic tests and shail expeet to demonstrate.jhe fact that they are subjects of this influence. We will tell beforehand what the rule is and what may be expected. Some may sing, some may commence ppeakingfand Some.,may be thrown into spasms or- trances; bu-t no ohe will be hurt or injured in person or character, because no one is accountable for his physical or mental organization. We are of the opinion that Christ

and his apostles acted through this agency, perhaps not knowing what it was. If we should be able to demonstrate as above indicated it would not prove that the Christian idea of the operation of the spirit of God is not true, but it j would look strongly in that direction. The common idea makes God subject to the spasms and caprices of his people. When it is convenient and they can spare a few days for the service of God they appoint a series ofmeetings, usually commencing about Christmas. Some exciting minister is invited over to help, and in a few days the church is warmed up. A revival has commenced and God is bound *to open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing in answer to prayer. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland has decided that “Godis not moved or itnpiessed by pray 3r.” It is a wonder that Christians do not see the awkward position they place their Maker in by their spasmodic revivals. If God’s spirit is the agent in revivals and conversions, and he is delighted with such manifestations, is it not reasonable to suppose that he would be equally as much delighted and gs ready to help in the good work between corn-planting and Chistmas as he is between Christ-

mas and corn-planting?

S.