September 20.—Mrs. W. and myself went to the Presbyterian Church this morning; heard a very good sermon from the pastor. He gave a glowing description of the glories of heaven, but spoiled it by saying, with bitterness, that there would be no taking churches there for hospitals. It was rather too much rancor to housed in such a place, and in a scene like the one he was describing.
All the churches here have been taken for hospital purposes, and this is the last Sunday service will be held in that one. When I looked around and saw how neat every thing was in it, and thought of the ruin which would be wrought in making it ready for patients, I could not wonder that he was annoyed, and more so as I do not think there is any necessity for taking them at present, as I know there are more buildings which we could get; for instance, a young ladies’ college, and I have no doubt others; so at present they are not really needed; and, without that, I think we should not take them. We act as if churches wore built rather for our amusement than the worship of the living God. He has told us he is a jealous God, and will visit every sin against him; not only visit it on us, but on the third and fourth generation. If this ignoring his sacred temple will not bring retribution, I think nothing will. How can we expect a blessing, or any thing but curses, such as were pronounced many times on the children of Israel, when they were guilty of the same offense of forgetting their Maker. We have their example, and deserve a worse downfall.
