The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-12-23

Z name siRnlheatiye OF heavenly virtue, we
Judge him naturally By hIs own STANDARD,
aud watch him very closely. II he rsmainsI
as hard, as selfish, and az eager after money
as before. we do not pbt much faith In bis
profession, and are apt to class him With
hypocrites. His praying, and hus talk
about faith. and heavenly love. and being
washed from all sin, excite 10 Us contempt
rather than respect. We ask for good
works, and are never satisfied with anything
else. By their fruits ys shall know them"
On the next Sunday / saw Mr.. Gray in
church. My eyes we're on him when he en-.
tered. noticed ,ha, all the lines Of his
face were drawn down and that the; whole
aspect and bearing of the man were solemn
and devotional He moved to his place with
slow step, his eyes east to the floor. On
taking his seat, he leaned his head on the
pew in front Of him, and continued for near.
ly minute in prayer. During the services
| heard his voice in the singing and through
the services, he maintained the most fxed
attention. -r ..cl ..
1t was Communion Sabbath and he re.
mained, after the congregation wus dismiss.
ed, to join in the holiest act Of worship.
"Can this man indeed be self deceived ~
I asked myself, nsl walked homeward, "cun
he really believe that heaven is to be gained
by pious acts alonel That every Sabbath
evening he can pitch his tent days march
nearer heaven, though all the week he may
have failed in the commOnest offices Of bro
therly love :! , ...t-t.- -..-.. '..
1t so happened that had many opportu
mites for observing Mr.. Gray. who after join
ing the church, became an active worker il
some Of the public and prominent churite
Of the day. He contributed literally In ma
ny cases, and gave, a good deal of time Il
the prosecution Of benevolent enterprises, il
which men OF some position were concern
ed. But when saw him dispute with poo
gardener who had laid sods in his yard, abou
fty ceniy take q sixpence off q wear
strawberry woman; or chatter with his boo
black over on extra shilling, could nc
think that it was genuine love for his fello'
men that prompted his ostentatious char
ties.
In no instance did find any better est
nation Of him in Business circles for h
religion did not chas,en the ardor of his sci
ish love Of trade, nor. make him more genel
Gus, nor more inclined to help or befriend tn
weak and needy. ,.....- ....
Twice saw his action in the case Of vi
happy debtors, who had not been sUccessti
, in business. In each case his claim W,
, among the smallest but he said more ul
kind things, and was the hardest to satisf
Of any man among the creditors. He O
sumed dishonest intentions OF the outset, aI
made that plea for the most rigid exaction
covering his own hard selfshness with offe
sive can: about mercantile honor, christie
integrity, and religious observance Of bus
ness contracts. He was the only m,
among all the creditors who made his churt
membership prominent thiug--iew ofthe
! were even church goers--and the only mi
Z. who did not readily make concessions to I
y poor, down trodden creditors. g..
ais he Christian :" | asked, as / walk
0 home in some depression Of spirits, from I
last Of these meetings. And could but o
i swer, motor to be d Christian is to
o Christslike. '-'..' .5.., ..s,,.:s ,...
Gas ye would that men should do to ye
do ye even so to them." This is the dvi
standard. aye must be born oguin," leay
us no latitaae of Interpretation. There mi
. be d death of the old, natural, selfish low
u and new birth Of spiritual affections.
u a man feels, 90 will be act. Ifthe affectio
that rule in his heart, be divine .afectio
p he will be lover of others, and seeker
:. their good. He will not be a hard, har
- exacting man in natural things; but XII
: forbearing, thoughtful Of others and yieldil
10 In all his dealings with men his actions v
~ be governed by the heavenly laws OF just
10 and he will regard the good of his neighl
equal with his own. u.a.st 1-.
e 1t is in the world where christian graz
reveal themselves, il they exist at oil.
8. ligion is not mere Sunday affair, but
m regulator Of mans conduct among bis
low.men. Unless it does this, II ID fa
n religion. And he who depends upon it
ul the enjoyment of heavenly felicities in
g, next life, will find himself in miserable
y, ror. Heaven can not bo earned by m
ot acts of piety, for heaven is the completem
On of all divine affections in the human 60
Il, and man must come into these-must
ed born into them-while on earth, or, he
lid never find an eternal home, among the
1t. gels Of God. Heaven is not gained by Il
to ng, but living. 81 ,g. ta@ s'a yH5 ,2..
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