WHEN THE SON OF MAN COMETH, SHALL HE FIND FAITH ON THE EARTH?
THERE is no denying that all forms of religion are losing their power and effect upon the mass of the people. This is a significant sign of the age in which we live. And there are many causes working to accomplish this end. Of Charles Dickens, whose writings are very extensively read, and possess a powerful influence with the people, the "Aberdeen Free Press" says:— "In the van of those who are laboring to sever the working classes from what little hold religion yet retains on them, we are sorry to find Mr. Dickens marching—and in a style of harlequin bravada, anything but creditable to one claiming his good feeling, and possessing his amount of common sense." From the "Evangelist" we learn the following relative to the state of religion in a portion, at least, of New York State. From the similarity of these reports in all denominations, we may safely give it a general application. NARRATIVE OF THE STATE OF RELIGION IN THE BOUNDS OF THE PRESBYTERY OF ROCHESTER.
While a survey of the territory occupied by this Presbytery is suited to create some painful feelings on account of the low religious interest, and the absence of revivals of religion, there are some things suited to encourage our hearts. Our Zion is in a state of mourning. The Holy Spirit has not visited us as in former years, and we have great cause for deep humiliation in view of the sins, the worldliness, and spiritual indifference of most of our Churches. God has dealt with us in a peculiar manner. By diminishing the fruits of the earth, the ability of the Churches to contribute for benevolent objects has been somewhat curtailed, and we regret to say that some have seized upon that fact as an excuse for penuriousness. God has also permitted the elements to contend with our religious interests by overshadowing many of our Sabbaths with clouds and storms, and thus furnish excuses more plausible than usual, for persons not deeply interested in religion to absent themselves from the house of God, and to detain so many of poor health, who love the ways of Zion. These circumstances may have had something to do with the absence of revivals of religion. Whatever may have been the cause or causes, the fact is notorious, and calls loudly for humiliation and prayer."