Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1863-08-13
The Seliptaral Idea of Religion.

ELGoN IN the common acceptation of the term word
e@' import ana extensive meaning; and perhaps there
word IN our language that contains more Importance than this
word religion and yet is but seldom find it in the Bible
Nearly all systems however, of belief and worship are brought
before the world under this head If man worshps the SUM-
moon stars he thinks his worship is an act of RELIGION If
number of unite their devoons in worshippe rep
te or some phenomena nature it their religion Go into
any part this world matter how remote the country or bar
baous the inhabitants and you will find that all men have an
aea OF religion But however much it may vary its FORM
differ its its creed its external operations upon the
human mind there is but kind real pure souavinn and
Godgorying religion in this world And if we would under
stand its naturets effects or its designs consult the
blessed book and seek the holy spirit dwell hearts, and
the that gets his idea of religion from the Bible and lives
out all the departments of human M will be religionist of
the higher order.
The question before is what is religion How shall we
dersand M What its claims upon general character
ave to this world and the world Gomez In these
questions would say religion takes hold upon every
faith in God The fundamental principles of every true religion
s is his belief in the being and perctons of his Creator
universal departure from state of rectude and happiness
Of obligation to God set forth the scriptures piet in
the soul regulating and giving character to his actions
men, the performance of all his religious duties system of
theology comprhendg all the doctrines Of Jesus Christ and
lief the truth that every will berewardd according the
deeds done in the body principles to be indispensable
in the faith of every who claims to enjoy true religion
may do many good things the world and have respect
for religion he may exhibit certain Of conduct that
would be praworthy in the eyes Of the best men but
can approval of God upon his good deeds unless he
cognzes and believes in Cod Men sometimes considered to
srate characters who what others would style ndes
but nothing the sanction Of religion or be any way
associated with it. unless is done in faith Of and love to
feet lust and holy Cod And yet there many of this class to
be found in almost all communities 1t is pity is almost
ready to saw that these liberal and kndheared souls would
late their kndheartednes faith and love to Jesus Christ and
then by doing they would their eternal reward For
said Jesus have done it unto the least of these
my brethren ye have done it unto me- 1t will be then
that faith in the divine character and unhaken confidence
in God form very prominent part of true religion Ie that
comeh rnto God must believe that he is But the religion of
the Bible something else besides faith James of
faith if has not works Dead being alonc 1t has
extensive powerful claim than merely his assent or
consent to the truth takes hold upon the entire being ofeVery
man SO that whatever may his qualifications natural
onred it is his mpeve duty to devote them to the interest OF
eoor eye are your but bought with price,
therefore for say he will do thus and so with the
Gifts God has him. but rather heed the apostle
9dmontion gory God with his body and spirit which are
his And as all talents and gifts from the Lord 1T is his
will that they be employed IN his service III Goo mas given man
nor for thought mans duty to call all his thinking fac
ntes into exercise advance the divine glory II he has the
oft Of tongues speech right that his tongue be used to
d nm Gods cause and defend his truth If man thinks 1t is
more natural for him work with his and IN this way ne
o do most for he work in that sphere God has work
@ all kinds and grades talent in his moral vineyard and there
= no cause for being idle the market place IN the order OF
donce man has been blessed with abundance OF wealth.
M not that man think excused that God has no clam on
b nronortv Wealth. as understand it. is talent and God
& m resnonsble for the usefulness of that gift much as
for any other favor blessing he confers upon hlm