Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-10-04
From the Christian Remembrancer.
CAUSES OF THE DEFECT OF TIE RELIGION OF
THE PRESENT DAY.


CAUSES OF THE DEFECT OF TIE RELIGION OF
THE PRESENT DAY.
Whence arises the defect of the religion of
the present day? 1t results from the want
of that deep and abiding spirituality of
mind, which looks beyond the visible
world and its objects, and sees the invisible
realities of an omnipresent and omniscient
God, and realizes all the unseen glories and
excellencies, the gracious designs and prom
ises of religion. We look too much to the
external effects of revelation, and its work.
ings upon others, and do not seek its work
ings in the depths of our own hearts. And
yet this is the glory of Christianity, that it
teaches us to regard it as an inward spiritual
thing; as u powerful influence pervadlng and
subduing, and melting itself into our very
souls and passions, and affections and de-
sires. No doubt the test Of our faith is to
be abundant in works but yet the Gospel
is, after all, not merely the religion ofworks,
not religion of external acts, but the rell.
gion ofthe Spirit; it is the internal religion Of
our spirits, the inward and hidden man Of
the heart. bv which God will measure the
reality of our faith. For the outward ac-
tons, after all, are but the effects and results
of this faith they are estimated only asthey
proceed from it they are only such emana.
tons from the inward principle, that they are
accepted on account ofthat original emana-
ton. The mind and intention is that to
which God looks opportunity may be even
wanting to manifest, in any eminent degree,
these effects, but God will estimate US rather
by the general state Of our inward DISPOSE
tions, than by those things which fall under
the cognizance of man. We want then,
brethren, to find this religion, to seek its in.
fucnc:s in the depths of our own conscien.
ces. There we must principally look for
it. True the New Testament shows that
they who first embraced the Gospel were
eminent in works; vet those works, 1t is
equally clear, were the results of such deep
and abiding inward conviction, as restrained
men, and led them captive to their blessed
influences. Those who were the cultIva-
tors ofthis spiritual frame tmind, lookedup
to heaven, and saw Him that was invisible;
they tek that they were the believers in Il
Col, who, though unseen by mortal eye,
yet was really present in every place; was
as much in their own hearts as in the highest
heavens, marking them, approving them,
loving them, promising them things which
none but Omnpotcnce could accomplish.
Like Stephen, they may have been said 10
have seen the heavens opened to have had
their eye daily fixed Oh him, their Lord and
Redcemer. seated in glory on the right hand
OF God they saw him minlsterlng daily on
their behalf IN the sanctuary of heaven, and
making the most powerful intercession for his
servants; nay, they looked beyond the pres.
ent to the eye of faith the distant period
was ever at hand, when he should descend
from heaven to translate them to mansions
of eternal glory. Hence they daily looked
for The descending Jesus; they daily listened
for the sound Of .he last trumpet; and the
awful realities Of an unseen world were as
sure in their considerations as though they
had seen them already with their bodily
eyes. Brethren, such an internal princi. |
pie us this, is that alone which can really |
make US religious; for if the gospel be the
religion of the Spirit, it must be one which
reaches and influences the heart, one which |
can operate in all times, and places, and
circumstances. A deep and abiding con-
vtction, then, of an ever present God and
Saviour will supply this want. ;such con-
viction is to mans soul what the great law
of gravtation is in the physical world, 4 law
which knows of no intermSsion or failure,
but operating alike in all times, places, and
circumstances, aud reaching 10 the very
limits ofspace, binds all the orbs Of heaven
in one golden chain of union to themselves,
aud to the throne OF the Creator, and con-
strains them to perform their fated periods |
of revolution.
We have seen then, my hearers, the de.
feet of our religion may be chiefly imputed |
TO its wan, ofspiritualty. In the last place,
then, let US briefly consider the remedy for
TINS defect. Job had evidently so cultiva.
ted spirituality of mind that he speaks ofthe
omnipotence of God as if he saw him with !
his bodily eyes !; he speaks with the most
undoubting conviction ofhis universal and
pervading presence. This also points out our
remedy We must not confine our attention
10 practical religion, but 60 inward to con.
templative religion; in short, the religion Of !
deep and frequent meditation, Of self COM
nlunion, of spiritual and internal exercise. !
The religion Of the first believers evidently
consisted, in very considerable degree, in
contemplative religion. True, in after ages |
this degenerated into superstition; and much
of the corruption OF the gospel had its ori.