264 , RURAL ARCHITECTUBK. ■ 



ter. Indeed, we could quote numberless instances where the sums 

 ejopended in classical .buildings, of false proportions but costly- execu- 

 tion,* which can never. raise other than emotions of pride in the hu-^ 

 man heart, would have built beautiful rural churches, which every 

 inhabitant of the town where they chanced to stand, would remem- 

 ber with feelings of respect and affection, to the end of all time. 



And in truth, we would not desire to make the country church 

 other than simple, truthful, and harmonious.^ We would avoid all 

 pretensions to elaborate architectural ornament ; we would depend 

 upon the right proportions, forms, outlines, and the true expression. 

 Above all, we would have the country church rural and expressive, ■ 

 by placing it in a spot of green lawn, surrounding it with our beau- 

 tiful natural shade trees, and decorating its walls (for no church 

 built in any but the newest, settlements, where means are utterly 

 wanting, should be built of so perishabl#a material as wood) — with 

 climbing plants — the ivy, or where that would not thrive, the Virginia 

 creeper. "And so we would make the country church, in itS very 

 forms and outlines, its walls and .the' vine's that enwreath them, its 

 shady green and the dms that overhatfg' it, as well as in the lessons 

 of goodness and piety that emanate from its pulpit, something to 

 become' a part of the affections; and touch and better the hearts of 

 the whole country about it. ^ 



* We have seen with pain, lately, one of those great temple churches 

 erected in a countiy town on the Hudson, at a cost of $20,000. It looks 

 outside and inside, no more ,l£ke a church, than does the Custo;ii House. 

 And yet this sum would have built the most perfect of devotlonaj edifices 

 for that c^ongregation. 



