The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-02-12
Deer the Line.

No snare IL SO suDtic, CohStaut anu PNA-
ilous TO the follower of Christ rs conform
ity TO the world. Nothing sooner saps
his spirituality; nothing hlnders revival
IN the church more effectually. Confor-
nifty implies resemblance. And when
n profcssed Christian begins to look like a
worldiing, and live like wording, how
dwelleth the love Of Christ In him? For
there Is complete and irreconcilable an
taronism between what the Bible calls the
"world" and the service Of Christ.
Tho chief end Of Christians life Is to
ylorify God. Il this the chief end of life
with the people Of the world? Ask any
one of them; and he will answer, No! 1
live to enjoy myself, In promoting my In
terests, Ia gratifying my tastes, and IN
taking my comfort. The wording COM
monty delights most In what aconsistent
Christian finds to be forbidden fruit on
forbidden ground. That forbidden fruit
Is poison to the Christian.
Bear In mind that every pure pleasure
which an unconverted heart can enjoy,
such as the joys Of home and OF friend
shin, the love of letters or art, the sight OF
beauty, or the delights Of relieving sor-
row, all these the Christian can have and
enjoy likewise. They are not sinful, and
the child of God can partake Of them with
n clear con science. But just where n
BibIc conscience tells him to stop, the
license of the world begins. The Word
of God draws a dividing line. Over that
line, lies the path Of self-lndulgence.
over that line, lie self-pampering, frivol-
ity, slavery to fashion. Over that line,
God Is ignored, and often defed! Christ
a wounded there and crucifed afresh.
Over that line, the follower Of Jesus has
no business to so.
Over that line which separates pure
pie,y from the world, the Christian, II he
goes n all, must go as q participant In the
pleasure of the world, or rs protestant
against them. II he goes TO partake, he
ofIends Christ; II he goes TO protest, he
ollends his ill-chosen associates. Chris
tian. II you ever attend convivial party,
a ballroom assembly, theatre, or
gaming company, do you so rs partaker
I'm the sport, or To make your protest
against such amusementsY Ifyou go for
the first object, you offend your Lord; IL
for the second, you offend your compa-
ny. They do not want you there. We
are quite sure that no beyy Of mery-ma-
kers would be the happier over their cups,
or their cards, or their cotillions, II all the
elders and deacons Of our church were to
come In suddenly among them. Breth-
rem! the "world" don't want you In their
giddy and goddess pleasures, unless you
are willing to 20 all lengths with them.
And II YOU walk one mile with them over
the line, they will ''compel you to 80 with
them twain.
Where does the dividing line run be-
tween true religion and the worlds We
answer that II runs just where Gods Word
nuts it; and q conscience which Is en-
Iightened by the Word and by prayer
does not commonly fail to discover It..
Where Christ would be likely to 20 II he
were on earth, is the right side; but where
Christian would be ashamed to have
his Mister find him, there he ought never
to find himself. Wherever Christian
can go, and conscientiously ask Gods
blessing on what he is doing, there let
that Christian 20. He ID not likely to
wander over the line. And when a
church-member can enter n playhouse.
or Into dancing-frolic, and honestly ask
Gods blessing on the amusements and
come away better Christian for Il, then
let him 20; but not before. Jl
But should not every good man be a
"friend Of the worldr' Was not the d.
vine Jesus friend Of the world when he
20 loved Il that he gave hlrnself for lis rs-