Litchfield enquirer., 1838-09-13
THE IIYPOcRITE.

w 'H"Sc "Ho HIhItSS ItlIHIOU dIIU OuSCfFt
it's litcs from sinister motives. The de-
sign of this brief essay is merely to sketch
the outlines of the hypocri,e's character.
Let no ono suppose that in the present day,
there are no hyrocritcs in the church. In
the small family of the immaculate and
0mniscient Jesus there was base hypo-
critic. He was perhaps grave and venora-
Bile in his appearance aud department.
lie was not obscure and retiring nor was
he man Of moderate pretcnsions. For
any thing that appears from his history, he
was quite prominent. II is certain that
he had conspicuous agency in the mo-
neyed concerns Of the family. Some n.y.
pocri,cs pass undctec.ed by human dis
comment till they leave the walks OF mo-
rails. Others are left to fall by the power
of temptation, as Judas was.
Tho following are somo of the indica-
tons Of hypocrisy.
l. II the hypocrite is man Of ambition,
he will manifest his true character by seek
ing church distinction and preferment. II
he is not specially consulted and allowed
to have the precedence in every underta-
king and movement in the church, his am
bition is mortified, and he will manifest his
resentment by attempting 10 countcract
every measure Of which he is not the ORR
nator; and rather than fail in his oppose
ton, he will hazard tho disruption Of all
the bonds Of the church. He cannot brook
a rival, and he is painfully jealous Of an
equal. II you cross his path, or appear to
be in tho way Of his ambitious schemes,
you may expect blighting and mildew to
settle upon your character. When he
makes mention Of your name land that
will n0 be unfrequently something is sure
to be stated to your prejudice. The pre-
judicial statement may be substantially
true, or it may DO highly coloFed and dis
tor.ed, ar it may be wholly groundless.
2. The hypocrite is aptto be quite cen.
serious. Having no spiritual discernmcnt
Of tho loa,hsomcness Of his own character,
he is little disposed TO make allowance for
tho infirmitics Of others. Ho will "s,rain
at gnat aud swallow camel" l]e will
express burning indignation at some
slight obloquy Of a brother or sister; and
.hen grind the face Of the poor and defraud
tho fathcrless and the widow! ~
8. The l,ypocrite is likely to manifest
great zeal in the cause If the Lord. Now
it is certainly good thing to DO zealously
affected in good cause. But tho hypo-
critic manifcsls desire that his zeal may
be conspicuous. As Jchu, the king Of Is
rael, said to Johonadab, the son Of Re-
chah, he is ready to say TO those around
him" come with me-. and see my zeal for
the LOrd." And yet, with Jehu. he may
+" take no heed to walk in tie law Of the
Lord God Of Israel with all his hoart."-
a. The hypocrite is apt to make a great
display Of liberaIity and Of solici,ade in the
cause Of the Lord. Now it is unques,ion-
ably right to be liberal in the cause Of Zion
and her glorious King and il is also right
to feel deep and constant solici'ude Tor the
advancement Of THAT good cause. But the
fault Of the hypocrite is, that what he does
is to be seen of men. 1t is only ON public
occasions, and occasions that admit Of ex-
tensivo conspicuity, that there IS much APP
pcaranco Of liberali.y. On oil occasions
Of IL private character, and where collec-
tons are raised in covert way, the small.
est change Of the country is amply suffi'
cient to satisfy the libcrality Of the mos
boastfnl hypocri,c. 1t is manifest that hi
desire is to be seen and praised of men.
You can scarcely on any occasion spent
an hour in his company, without being an
noycd by his tales Of hardships, aud active
service, and sclf-denial, and liberaIity, II
the cause Of the Lord. He is also prone
to speak Of his tears, and deep solicitude
and his continual anxiety ON account OF tho
state Of Zion. "Thc care Of all tn
churches is upon him !" In word. he i
tho theme of his own remarks, aud tn
burden Of his own song. IL Others arr
mentioned, it is that they may be throw
into eclipse by his own superior lus'rc.-
Should you be often brought into contacc
with such characters, you may expect 4
hear tho same old tales repeated again AM
again. 1t is calculated to remind one q
some Of the old revolutionary soldiers
who have boastingly told Of battles tho.
never fought, and Of hardships thcy neve
encountered, until they appear to give iuI
credit to the correctness Of their own tales
Now all this Boosting is vain, and 1t !
The sure mark Of hypocri;e. II is con
irary to the directions Of Jesus Christ, ant
the spirit oc the gospel. "Tske heed tina
YOU do moi your aims before men, to b'
seen Of thea; otherwise you have no re.
ward of your Father which is in heaven
" Therefore, when thou doest thine aims
do no, sound a trumpet before thee. as tho
hypocri,es do in the synagogues and in the
streets. that they may have glory 81 men
Verify ! say INT" yen, they have their re-
ward Blu, when thou does, thine aims
let not thy left hard know what thy righ
hand 'doeth; iha, thy aims may DO in Sc
frret and thy Fa'her which ses'h ~ Sc
crci himself shall reward thee openly.
Matt. vi. Id.
1t may be right and co"me"dabIo OF