The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1859-01-05

alleged, of his sins towards heaven, he would be
merciful to his fellow man. All, well these
things make US very skcptictl about the homes
ty of men who call themselves religious. My
experience with professors, has not been very
encouraging. AS general thing, l find them
quite as greedy of gain as other men. We out
side people CT the world get to be very sharp
sighted. When man sets himse If up to be OF
better quality than we, and calls himself a name
signiAcatiye of heavenly virtue, we judge him
naturally by his own standard, and watch him
very closely. If he remains as hard, as selfish,
and as eager after money as before, we do not
put much faith in his profession, and are apt to
class him with hypocritcs His praying, and
fine talk about faith, and heavenly love, and be-
ing washed from all sin, excite in us contempt
rather than respect. We ask for good works,
and are never satisfied with anything else By
their fruits yc shall know them
On the next Sunday saw Mr.. Gay in church
Ny eyes were on him when he entered. Ino
tced that all the lines ofhis face were drawn
down and that the whole aspect and bearing of
the man were solemn and devotional. lie
moved to his place with slow step, his eyes
cast to the floor. On taking his seat, he leaned
his head on the pew in front Of him, and con-
tinucd for nearly minute in prayer. During
the services heard his voice in the singing;
and through the services, he u0ntained the
most fixed attention.
1t was Communion Sabbath; and he remain
cd, after the congregation was dismissed, to
Join in the holiest act of worship.
Can this man indeed be self deccyed' ask
ed myself as l walked hemcward, can he really
believe that heven is to be gained by pous acts
alone? That every Sabbath evening he can
pitch his tent days march nearer heaven tho
all the week he may have failed in the ccm-
moneSt Offices OF brothcrly loyer
1t so happened that had many oppcrtuni,
ties for observing Mr.. Gray,who after joining the
church, became an active worker in some Of the
public and prominent charities ofthe day. He
contributed literally in many cases, ard gave a
good deal Of time to the prosecution Of benCyo-
lent enterprise, in which men Of some position
were concerned But when [ saw him dispute
with poor gardner who had laid sods in his
yard, about fifty cents; take q sixpence off q
weary strawberry woman; or chatter with his
boot black over an extra shilling, l could not
think that it was genuine love for his fellow
;al 70 oh
In no instance lid find any better estma-
tion OF him in business circles; for his religion
did not cha,ten the ardor his selfish love Q
trade, nor make him more generous, nor make
him more inclined to help or beCricnd the weak
ard needy.
Twice saw his action in the case Of unhap,
py debtors, who had not been successful in bu
siness. In each case his claim was among the
smallest; but he said more unlind things, and
was the hardest to satisfy, Of any man among
the creditors. He assumed dishonest Intcn,
ton at the outset, and made that plea for the
most rigid eXactions; covering his own hard sci.
| tishnass with offensive cant about mercantile
honor christian integrity, and Il religious obsor.
vance Of business contracts. He was the onli
man among all the creditors who made hi,
church membership a prominent thng--o few 0
them were even church gocrs--and the only
man who did not really make concessions tc
the poor down trodden creditors.
is he Christinu?' asked, as l walk home
in some depression of spirits from the last o
these meetings. And could but answer no
for, to be Christian is to be Christ-hke
AS yc would that men should do to you, d,
! yc even so to them This is the divine stand
ard. 'Yo must be born again. leaves us to lat.
itude ornterpretation. Of There must be deatf
of the old, natural, selfish loves, and new brit
o( spiritual affections. AS man feels, 50 vii
he act. II the affections that rule in his heart
be divine affections, he will be lover of others
and seeker of their good. He will not be
hard, harsh, exacting man in natural things
but kind, forbearins, thoughtful OF others anG
yielding. In all his dealings with men, his ac
tons will be governed by the heavenly laws Of
justice, and he will regard the good 0 ofhis neigh
Dor equal with his own.
1t is in the world where christian graces re
veal themselves, if they exist at all. Religion
is not mere Sunday affair, but the regulate
ofa mans conduct among his fellow-men. I'm
less it does this, it is a false re ligion. And h,
who depends upon it for the enjoyment o
heavenly fclicities in the next life, will find HIM
selfin miserable errer Heaven can not be
earned by mere acts Of piety, for heaven is th'
complement of all divine affections in the human
soul; and man must come into thcse-must b.
born into thenl-whie on earth, or he can nev
er find an eternal home among the angels O
God. Heaven is not gained by talking, but liV
ing,