Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-06-29
RELIGION a Real Life.

Just as some people like great words,
and seem to think that their learning and
depth of mind are shown by far-fetched
and unusual expressions, so many imagine
religion to consist in lofty and unreal ex
ercises. With them everything belonging
to christian life must conform to certain
set forms, and be tested by certain notions
which are very fine and very fanciful, and
therefore very worthless. Because of this
idea of religion some are always bold and
confident. To them the christians warfare
with sin is an unknown thing. They feel
no sympathy with earnest and practical eff
forts put forth to save men from vice and
degradation. They dwell in fools-para-
disc of their imagination. Capable of
working themselves up to feel as they fan
cy the christian ought to feel, they are sat
isfed with a sentimental religion which
stirs not the depths of their souls, nor con-
fiicts with their selfish and unchristian
lives.
This idea of religion has the opposite eff
feet on other minds. 1t darkens the whole
life. Accepting it as a fundamental truth
that that is not a christian experience
which has not the exact feelings and emo
lions prescribed by this false theory of re-
ligion, they are by it made respondent, if
not altogether turned back from following
Christ. Setting up this standard of life,
and too honest and thorough with them
selves to rest content with pretence or fan
cy, they are left to doubt and fear.
To this idea may doubtless be attributed
the looking back of many who think they
have begun a christian life. Under ex-
citement, and pressed with the demand
that they should feel in a certain way, they
are led honestly to have such feelings
But soon these mere feelings pass away be-
cause they are not the result of actions but
have been put in place of them. The con-
sequence is, if the man is honest, he goes
back to a worldly life and is worse rather
than better for his so-called experience of
religion.
Now the great thing that each Of these
classes needs to remember, is that religion
( is intensely real and practical. The feel
ings of the christian must be the result of
actions to be of any worth. The aim of the
! life must be toward definite, tangible re-
suits, and the efforts put forth for them
will bring the only emotions which are of
any account to the christian. No mans
! faith in Christ is worth much which doe,
not make him do the things which Christ
approves The Bible idea OF holiness III
cludes such homely virtues as honesty anC
truth and patience. 1t looks to ruling the
tongue, and regulating the appetites, anC
restraining the passions. @
1t is by such every day and commonsenst
tests rs these that true religion is known
by the world. 1t is by such practical rules
as these that Gods word by which we art
finally to be judged, tries our characters
1t is with such ideas as these that We mus
live if we would possess that pure religion
and undefiled before God and the Father
which consists in an active and loving lif,
consecrated to the good of man and th'
glory of God. Jas. l : 81 1t is only b!
such thoughts of religious life as these
that we can ever realize the breadth anC
completeness Of that work which Chris
has wrought for Us, which opens before II
such possible attainmeBts if we heed thu
J Apostles command, and,
Whatsoever things are true, whatsoeye
things are honest, whatsoever things ar
Just, whatsoever things are pure, whatso
ever things are lovely, whatsoever thing
are of good report if there be any virtue
and if there be any praise, think on thes
thinos