The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-16

workers." which, we think, indicates profess
sionalism rather than any special endowment
of grace. We are afraid it will sometimes
be found that the dear brethren, who are so
well versed in the machinery of doing good,
and who sacrifice so much in going about the
country to tell the ordinary herd OF Chris
tians how to "work' for the cause, enjoy a
more enviable reputation abroad for Chris
:ian consistency than they do at home
This is not saying that they are not good
men on the whole, but it is saying that they
are not so much wiser and better than those
other Christians, as their assumption would
seem to Indicate 1t will not be denied by
any who have acquaintance with men, and a
quick insight into character, that there are
instances in which this christian work" is
thrown off from characters which, in the or,
binary, and especially in the business rela'
tions of life, are proverbial for their grind
ing hardness and utter restitution of Chris,
tian love and principle. While it is to be
charitably hoped that such cases are few and
growing fewer, it cannot be denied that many
who are the recognized and patronized ex
ponents of this modern notion of Christian
work, are arrogant, assumptions, paradefu
and oyerweening in their estimate
Ley impress themselves upon individuals
societies and churches, especially away from
home, as christian workers." par excel
lsnce, by sheer impudence and by stupiG
insensibility to their own inferiority in intel
lectual Substance and spiritual tone. Sen
sible Christians and earnest disciples of Je.
sus are disguised with this religious quack
cry. Men of the world, men of ideas and
strength, laugh at this pious empiricism.-
These Eght-armed troops of the Lord car
make but little lasting, profitable impression
for good upon the children in our Sunday
schools. In short, it is question whether
these professional "Christian workers, with
national reputation" who travel all over
the country, on free passes, either the gift
of the railroads or of conventions and socie
ties, to tell Christians how to work, and tc
dispense sickening twaddle to Sunday
schools, do not exhibit a species of charla
tanry, in connection with the gravest and
profoundest of interests, which ought to be
abated.
All honor to the earnest Christian men
and women who have earned for themselves
"good degree" in the universal Zion and
are the common property of ChriStendom.-
Their presence is always and everywhere
Gods sunshine and Gods blessing to the
people. They lay out and speak out their
rich souls for Christ. They are ever a
blessing in our Christian assemblies and in
Sunday schools, because they are endowed
with deep experiences, with good sense and
charming utterance, and are free from dis
play and professionalism. Christian work
which is thrown off from souls surcharged by
the Christian spirit, and girded by Christian
strength and vigor can not be too abundant
We need more of it in all our Churches
We need that greatness of love to God anc
that greatness of desire for the good of oul
fellow-men in our souls, which shall touch
others only to bless, and which, in their ex
preston, shall take on such natural anG
truthful forms as readily commend them
selves. Less machinery, less conventional
ism, less manipulation, and more soul, more
spontaneous and general manliness, more o.
the great, loving, moving Spirit of Christ
do we need in Christian work. Christian
Union.