Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-01-24


We believe we do not affirm too much when
we say, God is more glorifed and better
pleased by the silent incense of one deeply
pious heart, than he could be by all the
mere out,oard services of a unirersc. "God
is a spirit, and they that worship him must
worship him in spirit and in truth" The
kingdom of God cometh not with observa-
ton neither shall they say, 10 here or 10
there! for behold the kingdom (the reign)
of God is within YOU" The duties Of life
depend on religion; but religion does not
depend on them. Piety will exist; it will
be the same in kind as new; it will glorify
God, when faith and hope and prayer, and
selC-denial, and efforts to save sinners have
ceased, and all the scenes of eartRs duties
have passed away forever.-We urge this
consideration, not to throw into the shade
the duties Of holy living, nor to disparage
the highest efforts that can be made for
God; but to call your attention TO the cul-
tivatlon Of piety itself in the heart where
alone it exists. Ifpiety languishes in the
heart, even the most correctly ordered
course of life is but a hypocritical show.
While then, brethren, you look to the life for
the fruits of piety, let it be first in order,and
first in importance to see to the existence
and growth Of piety itself in the soul.
8. But again, the greatest care in the cul-
tivation of inward piety is necessary, be-
cause deep and vivid piety of heart alone,
can sustain the Christian in the continued
and arduous efforts which he is called to
make. Unless there is deep and peren-
NAL fountain within, the efforts ofthe Chris.
tian will be fitful and feeble. By magnify
ing outward service at the cost of inward
piety, not only is the substance of religion
sacrificed to its fruits, but those fruits them.
selves are rendered uncertain, sickly, and
worthless. We often at the present day
hear the sentiment expressed in no equivo-
cal language, that the time and labor which
is expended on the cultivation of heart reli-
gion. is so much dead loss to the cause
Of Christ; because it withdraws just so
much from that outward activity which is
supposed to be the grand desideratum Of
the times. And where this sentiment is
not expressly avowed, or knowingly cher
ished, still the current Of public feeling has
strong tendency to carry the Christian to-
wards the practical results Of such belief.
A greater error could not be committed.
Were tenfold more time spent by Christians
generally in their own hearts, in examining
and keeping them, and in cutivating deep
toned piety within, so far from diminishing,
it would greatly enhance both the amount
and the value Of Christian activity. Where
there is deep and abiding piety of heart,
the life of the Christian will be life of
uniform obedience. 1t will be as shining
light, that shineth more and more, until the
perfect day. Such Christian will follow
Christ through evil as well as through good
report; ne will follow him at the sacrifice of
earth and sell; he will, if need be, watch with
him alone when all other eyes are heavy.
His piety and his faithfllness depend not on
external accidents. But when the Chris.
tian is occasionally aroused to visible effort
not by the deep tones ofpiety within, but ty
some extraneous call, his life will be like the
mountain torrent, with no reservoir of stand.
ing waters, now swollen to madness by the
bursting ola cloud, and anon dried away
through the heat of the sun. The Chris.
tian's conduct will never be guaged right
until it flow from within, out of the abun-
dance of a holy heart. q
4. There is at the present day, strong
tendency to rely on associated efort-asso.
ciated religion. This will arise from de-
feet of inward piety; and quickened atten.
ton to the cultivation Of religion in individ-
ual hearts, alone can cure it. When the
mind of an individual or ofa church is some
what awakened to sense of the prostra-
ton Of religious interest around them, it is
but too common that the first and chief at.
tention is directed to Christians in their as
sociated, their collective capacity. All or:
sensible that the churchis in a low state.
All unite in their wishes to see the Church
aroused to her duties. And allarc looking
TO some associated effort, to some combined
increment; to scenes and places where many
are, or may be brought together, for the
signs of better times, Now, such vague
impression of guilt, such vague looking for
recovery is worse than idle. The surgeon
may weep over the collected misery Of a
hospital, but unless he enters in, and probes
individual wounds, and treats individual ca.
ses, his sympathy is vain. The first symp-
tom of revival is when some individual is
broken down by sense of his own sins.
And the good work goes on, when one and
another reperts of his wickedness, say
ing, "What have done ?" The associate
efforts Of Christians may often produce visi-
bic motion, & ZEAL and display, where there
is very little deep and humbling heart work.
But with such sacrifices God is not well
pleased. 'The sacrifices of God are a
broken spirit and a eontrite heart" Let
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