Minutes of the National Council of the Congregational Churches of the United States of America at the Session (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1875 edition. Excerpt: ...manufacture, commerce, railroads, telegraphs, mines, finance, politics, --and God seemed to be shut out of all hearts and plans and enterprises. I saw politicians plotting, factions raging, corruption reeking, and nowhere any very clear traces of conscience and religion. I saw gigantic frauds and abominable vices coming to light without greatly shocking the general conscience. I saw many of the intellectual classes turning away from the faith of their fathers, not a few plunging into the bottomless pit of atheism. The world overflowed everything, engulfed everything. Earth seemed a Babel, in which ah infinite hubbub of profane, blasphemous voices drowned the still small voice of God, and of his eternal truth. Amidst the roar of secular and godless excitements, I could scarcely hear the prayers of God's elect, sounding like many waters, deep calling unto deep, round about his throne. So I once sat for hours on the brink of Niagara, my ears filled with the tearing, fretful noises of the nearer, superficial rapids, and it was long ere I heard the deep, muffled thunders of the infinite floods, the voice of omnipotence and eternity. The Church seemed to me neither more nor less zealous and spiritual than in former years. The number of nominal Christians was indeed greater than ever, and there were many signs of outward prosperity, but, so far as I could see, not more holiness, or longing for holiness, than there has been for generations. Such is a truthful report of my first observation. I saw what I had eyes for seeing, --no more. I have sometimes, soon after the setting of the sun, raised my eyes to the sky, looking for the punctual stars which, I knew, must have become visible; but I coisd see nothing except the golden glow of twilight....