Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-06-22
Moral T ests of Religion.

That religion is Infinitely more than or |
binary morality-in that essentially it is |
godliness, has faith in Christ aims at the |
right in all things, expects progress IN char |
acteI from the indwelling of the Holy Spit |
it, lives by prayer and by the law of love |
feels bound to humanity, self-denial and |
sacrifice for the temporal and spiritual good
OF others-is d fact which certainly cannot
be construed to imply that it is in any re-
spect less than morality. That would be
Contradiction gross and insutterable. Yet
somehow men continually slip intOit They
imagine religion To be peculiar set o. ex-
ercises, known as penltence and falln, which
are abstract and sentimental, and INDUCED
over general truths and the character Of all
mankind, rather that over special facts and
personal experience. They cOntound the
! olo2y with piety, and cOmplacency III the
catechism with love to God. They repent
OF Adams sin, of human depravity at large,
| of the vague fact that they are Sinners as
! are ali men, but not always OF the lndlvld-
ual wickedness into which their evil nature
has led them. Hence, learning to have a
| theologic hatred for sin, they yet keep on
SHINING Fully persuaded that mere NOR
aHty cannot save them, they put theirtrust
! in Christ and then do things from which a
moral, Christless man would turn with dis
dam Thus lately a boy thought he was
converted united with the church, and with
in a fortnight thereafter proposeI TO play
mate not a church member to print for
themselves tickets to a certain exhibition to
avoid the expense purchasing them; ev-
identity not having an idea OF religious eX-
perience which raised it practically to the
| level OF common morality. Similar exhibi-
lions of Inconsistency by adults make men
of the world despise a profession OF relig-
ion, and put their confidence IN upright de-
pertinent.
But no candid man will contend that the
Bible inculcates religion without moral
/ law. autinomian piety, a spiritual sentimen
Italsm, all frames and tervors, Il neehani
cal ritualism, or anything which does not
Include the most thorough truthtulness,
honesty and integrity OF daily department.
/ How the Indignation OF the Old Testament
CLOVIS against fraud and falsehood, against
robbery and violence. against countenanc-
ing the rich and depressing the poor! How
! its blessings are promised to men who are
lust ana nTCrClfu1. It's pTvCrTts Jh us
summed up by Micah: "He hath showed
thee, Q man, what Is good and what doth
the Lord require u thee, butte do justly and
Ito love mercy. and to walk humbiy with thy
God 2" There rs no divorce there Of piety
and morality. Nor is there in the New
Testament, which gives US a gospel of love
to man, no less than one of love to God in
sists on the golden rule Of society at the
same time chat it offers redemption from sin
and hell through the blood Of Christ, and
in the person OF Jesus presents tire model
man, in whom was perfect truth, honor
Epuritv, pity, love, and self-sacritice.
Ministers should insist on the most prac-
teal tests of piety, and should 20 farther
than to ask whether one enjoys prayer sing
ing and reading the Bible, and reaches com
plete bliss in a conference meeting. Has
conversion" converted mems tempers,
pockets, bargains, tongues? Imagine a
church-committee leaving the beaten track
of mental exercises and orthodox opinions
; to push such inquiries in the case of those
known to have been covetous, tricky, fraud
! lulent, slander0us. pitiless, or dishonest to
creditors? Imagine them saying to an APP
plicant for admission, "H on are sound on
the nature o sin, bat how is 1t about the
e particular Sins In wllichF0Uh8ve heretofore
2 INDUCED? You seem to have a correct
, idea oiTepentanCe a. Il theory, but have you
brought forth fruit meet Tor repentance
You are orthodox as to the divinity OF
Christ and the TACT OF his atoning sacrifice,
| but do you actually follow him? What
: restitution have you made for unjust advan-
tages obtained for fraudulent sales, Tor ex-
tortions, Tor reputation Of debts and con
tracts? You hope that you are now JUST
: fed before God through the Righteousness
/ of Christ, bat does your religion justify it
self to all who know you, by your uniform
and heightened principle? You think that
your heart has been 'regeenerated, by the
l Holy Ghost, but how widely outward has
f the regeneration extended? Has it reach
ed your business, your amusements, your
reading, your politics?" Perhaps in the
s next editions of church manuals, it may
= not be amiss to have few such questions
: printed as guide to converts in their self
- scrutiny, and to the pastor and deacons in
; examining candidates for church member,
e ship.-Adcance.