Gazette Of The United States

FOR THE GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES.
MR. FENNO,
THERE is no general proposition that is more
universally admitted than that our minds are for
the most part governed in their feelings by external
objects. Scarce a day or an hour passes by but
we have frequent opportunities of observing the
truth of this assertion. Which of us are there
who have not felt that calm tranquility of mind
which is inspired by observing a landscape by the
softening light of the moon; or, who have not
had our minds thrown into agitation by the warring
of the elements. Who—on beholding a venerable
oak whose limbs have been lopped off by the
destroying hand of time, and whose companions
have long since mouldered into dust, would not call
to remembrance those friends of his youth who are
no more!
If such then are the effects produced on the
mind by external objects how peculiarly attentive
ought we to be that in those places which are appropriated
for the worship of our God, nothing
should meet the eye or ear which does not comport
with those solemn and dignified ideas which should
fill our minds during our attendance there: And
who will pretend to say, that the custom of gathering
money in church, is compatible with these ideas.
In vain may the preacher endeavor to persuade us
that the affairs of this world should never be set in
competition with those of heaven, when in a place
expressly dedicated to God, and in the midst of a
ceremony in which we should surrender our thoughts
totally to him, we are called back again to the affairs
of this world (perhaps for fear we should forget them)
by a person who comes to solicit money.
Is it possible that under these circumstances we
should feel any degree of solemnity. Will it not act
as so perfect an antidote, as to expunge every thought
that has before passed that led towards heaven.
But the poison stops not here, for that degree of
importance which money has robbed religion of it
now possesses itself, and people from seeing them
often united give it an importance which it before
wanted, and is the cause of one half the misery existing
in the world. Such then are the consequences
derived from the gathering of money in church.
And for what? merely for the purpose of gaining
a few pounds! would it not be better, if it is extra
sum is necessary, to levy a small sum more on
the pews, which would at once banish all the evil
tendencies of the present custom, and which would
be paid with cheerfulness by every
Church going person.