To be near unto God - pagina 544

and and

elasticity.

of

This

is

the result of greater friction

more intense competition.

He who

in

such cities still cherished the sacred traditions of the fathers, did so under protest. He had to suffer for it, and to struggle in behalf of it. But he who maintained himself in the conflict, came out of it better disciplined, fortified and strengthened, and felt himself better equipped against unbelief and indifferentism. But apart from these relatively always small exceptions, it can not be denied that in rural

districts

reverence for religion

firmly rooted, and that in city wanes; especially where there

is

more

reverence are great industries, much commerce, and much speculation at the exchange. Indeed, among factory owners and hands, among merchants and oflSce clerks, among members of the exchange and capitalists there are also truly pious children of God, but they are white ravens among the black flock.

That which co-operated

life this

to bring this about is with weather and wind, harvests and failure ^f crops, with cattle and land plagues, people in rural districts are far more directly dependent upon the works of God than people in With respect to industrial interests. the cities. and mechanical inventions man is the more promIn rural disinent agent who exercises power. tricts temptation also is less brutally on exhibition. Evenings there are shorter and people rise earlier. People know each other more personally, which makes the discipline of public opinion more effecThe membership of a church is smaller, tive.

manifold.

What

640

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