The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-02-08
Gbe Qin1es, Mem BLOOMFIELD, 1)a.

removing out of the way, a stumbling
block to many, who, though of the world,
expect that the professed followers of
him, "who did no sin" will "abstain
from all appearance of evil" 1t augurs
i'll for that member of the church of
Christ, who knowing as he must, that it
occasions reproach to the cause of the
gospel that besides offending his own
brethren in the faith, it gives opportunity
to those, who are without any love to re-
ligion or respect for its ordinances, to
speak evil of the church, and revile those
who are in communion, to continue in the
practice or object to its denunciation.
There cannot be spiritual progress and
property in such amind. The divine life in
the soul, if it exists, must be faint and
sickly, and the sincerity of his regard for
the eternal welfare of those by whom he
is surrounded, questionable We repeat
then, the text in reference to all things
of like nature with those mentioned
Abstain from all appearance of eviP-
and that you may be induced to comply
with this, think:
lst. Who it is that hath called you
into the Kingdom of Christ.
1t is the great God, who being Infinite
ly pure, says, "be ye holy, for l am ho-
ly." His authority extends to your en-
tire conduct and life. The fact that He
commands or forbids, involves us in posi-
tive, personal obligations to obey. All
that he requires and all that he proscribes
is for His glory and our highest good
and with compliance, is associated the
purest happiness, and most lasting peace.
TO christian mind it must be painful to
be in doubt, concerning the character of
an action performed, or line Of conduct
pursued while on the other hand, an
approving conscience and the sanction of
Gods own Word, are the sources of ex-
quisite mental and spiritual engagement
There is no fanaticism in avoiding all
things concerning which we cannot pray
to God for his blessing. If it is our du-
ty, " whether we eat or drink, Or whatso-
ever we do, to do all to his glory" then
it necessarily follows, that everything in
which we engage, should be such, that
we can ask divine direction, and the di-
vine benediction A christian is the
" habitation of God, through the spirit" !"
and in no scene and under no circum-
stance should he place himself, where in
dignity and dishonor are done to Him, Of
whom he is the spiritual residence and
temple.
.. Think of the mission with which
as a christian you are invested.
This is point on which our minds too
seldom dwell, and which we fail, fully
and properly to appreciate. Our own
personal salvation is that for which in
time and eternity, we never will be able
adequately to express all the gratitude
that is due. But there is something
more than mere self and individual benefit.
Every sinner converted by grace, is de-
signed to be reflector of the image of G cd
to be light amid the darkness of the
world-a living illustration and example
of the purity of the gospel-and an in
strument in promoting the progress of
Christ's cause and Kingdom. Whatso-
ever our hands find to do, in the service
of God we are to do with our might
For the opportunities afforded us, in the
providence of God of commencing the
gospel to the understandings and con-
sciences of our fellow men, we are per-
sonally and deeply responsible. And as
truly as the representative and servant OF
an earthly government, would be charge
able with the infdelity and treachery in
minglng in scenes where his country's
honor was tarnished and his country's in.
terest sacrificed, must be the christian
whose Office and duty is to hold up the
standard of the gospel, when found en-
gagged in pleasures incompatible with his
high and holy vocation. 81 beseech yor
{ therefore brethren, by the mercies O.
God, that you present your bodies liv
ing sacrifices, holy, acceptable unto God
t which is your reasonable service. AnC
be not conformed to this world, but be "
transformed by the renewing of you
f mind that ye may prove what is tina
, good and acceptable and per feet will o
, God" In this way you will testify t.
the excellence and purity of the religion
: of Christ. In this way you will disarn