Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-08-24

to Christ, or joining with his people? We
feel there are, and that in every depart
ment of the church. Let us look:
/. AT the pulpit What do we see there
Perhaps the preacher is cold in his man
ner, perplexing in his STYLE and formal in
his devOtions. This proves hindrance to
many. They want to see warmth, to I'M
derstand clearly, and to feel that while the
preacher is in prayer, he is hearty, earnest
and DESTROYS Of their salvation. Unless our
doctrine is sound, our manner energetic,
our appeals pointed, our prayers tervent,
and the whole unite to prove that we are
in downright earnest, we shall hinder some.
2. At our deacons. What do we observe
here? Are they men full of the Holy Ghost
and of faith? Do they say by their regular
and early attendance, by their bland and
pleasant manners, by their constant activ
ity and attention to all who attend the place
that they desire the conversion of souls and
the increase of the church? Are they first
at prayer meetings, first in the public SER
are set upon the prosperity of the cause
If not, they will hinder some Next to the
pastor, people look to the deacons to be
grave temperate, deyout, active, and thor
oughly devoted to God. But when they
are worldly minded, proud, lOrdly, cold,
distant, and patrOnizers of worldly amuse-
ments and carnal pleasures, it must be said
of them, 'ThOse that were entering in We
hindered" We have heard of deacOns who |
give balls, have dances, frequent concerts, |
and neglect prayer meetings, church meet !
ings and visiting the sick Can it be any
wonder if the churches to which such dea-
cons belong, dwindle, decline, become
worldly, formal and inactive?
At the members of our churches. Here.
is one well known for his love of money
and hard dealing; another habitually gives
way to his unholy temper another practi-
ces deception in business, because it is the
custom of the trade; another is so much
like the world that, if we did not see him
at the Lords table, we could never think
that he made any profession of religion
another is rs cold as marble to sit by him
is like coming in contact with an iceberg
but l forbear. Let every one look into
his own church; yea, into his own heart,
at his own conduct, and then say, as it
any wonder that our churches don't flour
ish?' | fear that the protesting church of
| Christ has much to answer for. 1t will not
do to resolve it into the sovereignty of God
alone. Prosperous times have been holy,
praying, acting times. Ours are telling,
giving times, but something more Is wanted.
We have hosts Of undecided persons incur
congregations, and hosts of half hearted
persons in our churches. Many have at
tended our places Of worship for years, and
have never been pointedly spoken to by
any of our members as to the state of their
souls. The minister breaches, but they
never second his efforts They seem to fam
cy that it is no part of their business.
The gospel Of Christ is hindered. The
question is, Who hinders it? Paul was
deeply concerned lest heshouId; but many
professors now have no concern about it.
They live and speak, and conduct them
selves a. if it was no concern Of theirs
Souls are hindered, but who hinders them?
The lawyers did once, but other classes,
differing from the lawyers, do 50 now
There is that marble statue that you see
at the sermon, but nowhere else, who speaks
to no one, appears to care for no one-he
lhinders. There is that covetOus man. who
grudges every penny be gives for the sup
port Of the gospcl-hc hinders. There is
that gloomy ,uncouth professor-he hinders.
There is that proud, disdainful looking
character-he hinders. There is that dressy
lady, who spends all Gods cause she him
ders. There is that tale bearing scandaliz-
ing wOman-she hinders. There Is that in
hammatory, fiery, scolding professor-he
hinders But where shall we end Every
inconsistent professor, who has not the
mind OfChrist, who does not copy his meek
) ness, gentleness, activity, devotion, zeal,
self denial, and intense concern for the sal
walton of souls, in some measure hinders.
The cool and calculating, the dashing
and the daring, the bold and conceited, the
fearful and shy, the self willed and lordly,
the covetous, all hinder, being stumbling
blocks in the way. \ church composed OF
such members, resembles the rocky desert,
not the pleasant garden a cold, ice bound
islet, not a beautiful, sunlit field; a barren
, plot, covered with thorns, not well cult
waited vineyards shabby, rotten, misera-
bic looking hoyel, not the well built, roOmy,
cheerful dwelling. How can we expect
people to admire and desire to seek union
with such a churcl? True, few may be so
bad, but in proportion as they, in whole or
, in part, resemble it, they hinder If our
, churches are to flourish, there must be free
dom, fellowship, love, unity, peace, indi-
vidual interest, and united concern for all
who come into the congregation, or can be
induced to come in. Ministers may preach,
authors may write books, lively christians
may inquire and complain, but something
else is wanted. Every church member
must realize this responsibility, mus or
+ ganize, must endeavor to persuade men,
: must lay aside whatever is forbidding and
repulsive; and must follow whatsoever
+ things are of good report, before we can ex-
, pect our wishes to be fulfilled. Ministers
must be holy, energetic, simple, sound in
the faith, with their hearts set upon the
conversion Of sinners, and edification of
the saints, or, like the lawyers, they will
hinder. Deacons must bespiritually mind
ed, active, sober, courteous, intent upon
i the church's prosperity, full of the Holy
> Ghost and of faith, or they will more or less
i hinder. Church members must continue
steadfast in the apostles doctrine and fel.
lowship, every one must take his own work
7 and do it; every eye must be fixed on God,
u glory, every heart must rest on Christ S fin.
ished work, every hand must be employed
in Gods service, and each must esteem
Others better than himself; no one seeking
: his own things, but every one the thing:
which are Jesus Christ's, or they will il
some degree hinder.
il Brethren are we not more or less ouiltv