Of the churches in this city, not including those of the Roman order,
and the influence of professing christians, there cannot be much said
in their favor; yet there has been something done by them, and some
influence of a favorable tendency has been quietly and slowly working,
which in some degree checks the wild rage of human passion, or at least
has driven it back from the public view, and to a great extent from the
light of day. And the reason, doubtless, why more has not been done,
and why a more salutary influence is not produced by religious efforts,
is that the christian standard is as much below the Bible requirements
of christian life, as the moral standard is degraded below that point
which justly forbids almost every man a character for morality.
Hence, when the christian standard falls far below, as it does here,
the ordinary estimation of a moral life, it cannot be expected that
the influence of professing christians of such a grade, can be very
forcible or of much avail. And I apprehend that nothing will ever be
done here to crush those monster evils that stalk through these streets
at midday, and to indulge and participate in which is not unbecoming
a _gentleman_, a _good citizen_, a _moral man_, and a _christian_,
unless it is by raising up a proper moral standard, by which men shall
be tested who are to be the recipients of patronage and public favor.
This, however, would look like a hard beginning, for some _one_ would
be called upon “to throw the first stone.” And I fear echo would
answer, Where is he?
There are a number of Churches in the City, and many of them of
recent organization. The Episcopalians have five, Presbyterians
three, Methodists two, Baptists one, Universalists one. The Clergymen
who officiate in them are generally men of distinguished talent and
ability, and the morning service, on the Sabbath, is usually well
attended. In the afternoon the audience is very small, consisting
only of a small portion even of the members. No Church could be well
sustained in New Orleans, with a second rate preacher. They must be men
of popular talent, of forcible and attractive eloquence, and withal
not very _close_ preachers. Hence the influence of preaching and of
Christian teaching is superficial indeed. The principal cause, and
doubtless, the great obstacle in the christian and moral standard of
New Orleans, is the total disregard and desecration of the Sabbath.
Not only is this done by professed christians, but by those who have
been differently educated and early impressed with the benefits and
wholesome and salutary influence produced by a due observance of this
day.