The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-11-11
Fox THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Christian Activity.

Ny DEAR FRIEND,-I believe a large
proportion of what We ordinarily call
doing good, consists in our inducing
others to do good The Church at large
is not to be successful i'll the consumma-
tion of its benevolent schemes according
to its material resources altogether; for
her true secret is to instill holy zeal,
and then the works which she would have
performed follow as a necessary conse-
quence. l need no further apology,
then, for writing to you in order to re-
mind you of the sphere of usefulness in
which you, as indeed every other Chris
tian, constantly live.
1t is impossible for us, as faithful pro-
fessors of religion, to place our lights in
the back ground. If you are to be a
lawyer, you must be Christian lawyer;
and unless the world perceives that you
are Christian lawyer, then it will be
equally as well for the world if you are
no Christian at ALL Your religion ought
to obtrude itself that is, it should make
itself known in your daily business. Of
course, for US to parade our religion
about, is a most abhorrent species of
hypocrisy; but l do aver, that it is a
false and shameful modesty which prompts
a man to keep his religion so close, as
that people can never discover that he
has any. Take heed, then, that the light
that IS in thee be not darkness.
To what, say you, is this introductory?
| answer, that of all the various classes
of operations which men find to do in
this world, none is found to be so diff
cult to commence, or is so slothfully per-
formed when begun, as the large class of
duties included in the expression, Chris
tian activity. Yes, young men have re-
turned from the army after the late war,
and have with much exercise of deter
mination entered upon course of hard
study at Colleges. By persistent effort
they have generally performed their un-
dertaking manfully. But it is found to
be quite different matter with those
who have closed the war of human re-
bellion, and have just made peace with
God. One might suppose that they, by
a new impulse, would institute and carry
forward Christian enterprises with some
active purpose. Do we find this to be
the case? No. There is a hesitation,
and doubt; and, even when the regen-
crate soul has begun to pursue benevo
lent scheme, the execution of the whole
affair reminds us of man attempting
to walk, whose head is swimming with
intoxication.
The little boy, fearful of water, though
in one sense desirous of getting into it,
will never go into sufficiently deep water
to learn how to swim. The true action
Of Christian will be, when he sees an
opportunity of implanting religious
idea, or of doing charitable act, not to
falter or procrastinate, but to plunge
boldly forth into the middle of the
stream. | mean by this to inculcate an
unhinching willingness in the perform
ance of every duty. 1t seems prepos-
ferrous to certain weak and half dead
Christians, ever to think of introducing
religion as topic of conversation
Others, while they see good opportuni-
ty, and heartily wish to embrace it, can
not do so for the want of faithfal promp-
titude.
l reckon it would make your heart
futter somewhat, and it would seem to
be very curious thing to your acquaint-
ances, if they were to see you go down
one of the little cross-streets of your
town, and enter an uncomfortable and
perhaps uncleanly abode. say, the
very fact of your going to such place
would be exciting; and it would be still
more so to you as well as to others, if
you were going in with Bible in your
pocket in order to read to sick woman,
or to teach three or four little urchins
the existence of God and the plan of
salvation. But if you were to do some
thing of this sort quite frequently, the
effect of your entering that house would
be very different on you, and on your ac-
quaintances also. The difference in you
will be that you enter the house with a
composed mind, and face smiling with
uIfeigned pleasure; you can read verse
and give your explanation with the great
est readiness; you can propose to lead
them in prayer without the slightest re-
luctance. The difference in the case of
those observing you will be this: they
will admire your genuine character, aud
remark that there is man who is ben
efactor 30 his race not only in temporal
but in eternal things. The thoughts of
the most wicked young man in town will
not be thoughts of contempt, but of pos
tive though uneasy approval. The most
dissolate will be reminded that he has a
soul to save, and will lend listening ear
to the rousing call of conscience.