Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1873-04-26
Communicated
Do We Live as We Ought.

lion, which should he brought direct
~ home to each individual heart
Now, the Episcopal Church is the
Church of my love and, although l feel
deep interest in all denominations of
Christians, / know the charge is fire.
quently broug ht against her that she
is deficient in vital piety and spirit
uality. AS Church we can refute
this accusation with truthful fervor
but, alas, too often, fear, many with
in her communion by their careless
walk lay the foundation of this serl-
Gus charge. The majority of the per
sons outside of the Episcopal Church
know little or nothing of her doctrines
discipline and workings, and we have
to combat with prejudice in various
forms and sometimes wilful miscon-
struction. 1t is evident to those who
Judge her with impartial eyes that
she is living Church; she has not
;only name to live by" but shows
her faith by her works. She is ten
de- nother to her children who obey
heI holy pr ,cepts and her ways are
ways of pleasantness and all her paths
are paths of peace. Yet am not blind
to the sad fact that many protesting
followers dam the purity of the white
garments in which the Church, the
Lambs wife, has arrayed herself, in
anticipation of the coming of the Heav
enlv Bridegroom,
This crying evil does not always
lie altogether with the laity. Let our
pastors, in all humility, ask themselves
the question-"Do we live up to our
duties and privileges las protesting
Christians ~
While we meet with many selfde-
nying God-fearing and God-loving
ministers, who are willing and glad to
be spent in the Masters service, by
their teaching and example, leading
souls to Christ, and toiling to build up
the waste places of Zoin, we meet with
others who are wilfully careless, or
not fully e,Uake7ed to their responsible
tiles to God and man; their trumpet
giving an uncertain sound fails to warn
its hearers and the un tended tlocks are
suffered to wander off in forbidden
pastures of worldly enticements and
pleasures.
And the majority Of protesting
Uhristans-those who are in the com
saunion of the Church of Christ-what
IS their condition? | hold that there
should be a more strongly defined Anc
marked out between the world and
PROCESSING Christians. 1t is not an un-
common thing that many who name
the name Of Christ, have not depart
ed from iniquity.' Needless or for
getful of their solemn confirmation
uo,cs to renounce the ''pomps and van
tiles of this wicked world they frit.
ter away precious time in the pursuit
of empty pleasures and excitement
And what is the result of this course
1t throws reproach upon the Church
which exhorts its members to walk
in newncss Of life, to grow in grace
and in the knowledge Of our God and
Saviour, Jesus Christ ;" it units them
for religious or secular duties and
causes waste Of means which might
otherwise be devoted to the promo
ton of Christs kingdom upon earth.
After vain worldly diversions is the
soul prepared for communion with
Cod Can they lay their heads upon
their pillows at night with the sweet
consciousness of time we'll spent, and
calling in all wandering thoughts
commend their souls into Gods keep
ing, feeling that waking or sleeping
they are his. The idle votary of fash
ion and pleasure can make no pro
gress in the Divine Life and no one
who has the true spirit of Christ will
indulge in these vanities.
There are others, also, who are We
ry Jealous in conforming to all the
rites and ordinances of the Church
They attend upon every means Of
grace-give liberal subscriptions, have
daily prayers and peruse Gods Holy
Word and yet they possess no vital
religion, nor in their daily lives bring
forth fruits of the spirit" thus inhu-
encing those around them to walk with
God. They never pause to examine
the spring and groundwork of thei,
actions. Instead of looking to Chris,
for wisdom, Righteousness, sanctihca,
ton and redemption, and having Their
lamps filled with the oil Of inner spir.
itual life, in preparation for the Bride
grooms coming, they are feeding upon
the husks and ceremonies which can
never satisfy nor save the soul
Some are fully conversant with the
duties of Christian but deplorably
ignorant Of its privileges. l am per,
suaded that there are "heig hts and
depths and breadths' to which many
who are earnestly endeavoring and
longing to DO Christ's true follower;
never attain. While Gods word ex.
horts them to 60 on to perfection
they are keenly sensible that they
make little or no progress in the di-
zine life. nor possess joy and peace
in believing. Doubts and fears assail
them temptations overcome them and
their burden often seems heavier than
they can bea- Why is this? Christ =
promises never fail and He has said
Come unto me all We that labor and
are heavy laden and 7 will oive vou