New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-01-19
PROGRESSING CHRISTIANS.
A Semi-Sermon.

A Semi-Sermon.
One great bar to the spread Of practical
Christianity in this country is the use OF
the term Christian in q technical sense by
evangelical churches. According to this
ase Christianity does not consist in faith
or works of both, but in a mysterious
spiritual experience" not Obtainable by
any effort on the part Of its object. use
the word "object" Intentionally. a. the
"ohange of heart" so strenuously insisted
upon az indispensable is produced entirely
from without. To have been born in y
Christian community, of Christian parents,
baptized into Christian church, and
passed ones life in the performance OF
Christian duties from Christian motives,
loving God and the neighbor, and testifying
love to the one by actively manifesting
il to the others-all this, accord
n, to the aforementioned technical
use of the term Christian does not consti-
tute man follower of Christ, unless, In
addition thereto, and az the foundation of
his good works, he claims to have under
gone this indispensable but unattainable
inward change. Without it all his virtues
arc valueless-nay, worse, filthy rags, unfit
for entrance intolthe Bridegroom's presence,
and certain to doom their Presumptuous
wearer to the outer darkness. where is
weeping and gnashing of teeth. The very
prayers of the unconverted THAT is, those
who have not had this experienced "are in
suits to the Almighty" is the dictum of @
high evangelical authority of this place.
That these views are unfavorable to the
practice of morality by those who have not
enjoyed this experience, or imagined that
they have, will appear on q moments re-
election Upon some Of the peculiar features
of human nature. These peculiarities are
plainly indicated in certain proverbs: "A
miss is as good as a mile;'' at is as well to
be hanged for sheep as for lamb;" "IfI
have the name, III have the gain"-all
eending to show the popular fallacy that
oeyond certain limits self control is folly,
chat outlawry of every kind is absolutely
&rrc s,Onsibe. Many young man is led by
shis discouraging distinction between 'pro-
Tossing Christians and the outside world
60 imagine that certain actions are allow
able to him that are forbidden to the elect
a fatal mistake by which he acquires a
habit of vice which daily drives him far
cher and farther from the pale of the true
~hurch. "B may do what please" says
he, - am not Christian" ignoring appa-
$ently that the moral law is equally bind
ing on all, and that the only possible diff
ference between good moral man and the
most exalted Christian is uhis-the latter
performs his good deeds from the motive of
tove to God.
This technical definition Of Christianity
Gas still further objection, and . still
greater one than those already mentioned
IL il directly contrary to the teachings of
Christ. Active beney olence. forgiveness of
wrong, purity of heart-these are the dis I
tinctive marks by which He designated His |
true followers. In His parallels. as well as
In His direct teachings, He always insisted !
on such practical evidences of discipleship. |
Ia the parable of tho two brothers, one of |
whom promises to obey his father, but does |
not, while the other refuses but obeys, He |
Beaches that even tardy performance of |
duty is far better than ready bat insn-
rere profession of obedience. In that pas
sage commonly received ae o prophetic
description of the last Judgment, what are
che grounds of salvation in those wei
somed to His Fathers mansioni 4 pro-
fession of having experienced IA change
IF hearth" Nothing of the sort. Those }
were O,epted who had performed acts of be- (
neyolence. Not every one that saieth Lord,
Lord, is to enter into the kingdom of
heaven, but those that do the will of the !
Father. The publican and harlots, he says /
in most emphatic language, shall be pre-
ferred before many Of those who 'pro.
iessed," according to the orthodoxy Of that
lime, to be the chosen of God. Doing, not
o processing" is the burden OF His teach
ags; and why should His protested follow
Frs make other requirementss Why not
regard as Christians all who acknowledge !
Jesus rs the GOd-appointed teacher OF the
human race in things spiritual, the incsrna-
ION of Gods ideal of man; and. SO be- |
ieving, and adopting Him AZ their
Master, strive humbly to obey His
and as nearly as possible follow
His example' Do not such approach as
nearly to the model He offered, as those Who
,ase their claim to discipleship upon their
experienceW Is not a cheerful recogni-
ion of the Divine Fatherhood and Mother
,ood of God, an implicit confidence in His
,rovidential care, and % grateful use of the
blessings He bestows, as genuine an zen
oyment of religion" as o fanciGul self
of Divine favoritisme Let those
hen who have never experienced the pre-
urinary perturbations and subsequent
abstraction, technically called 'csnvet-
ion," be not disheartened on that account,
LOT, taking this fiction of theology for the
new birth" of which Christ spoke, per-
nit themselves 10 be brow beaten ont of
heir birth-right: but if they have accepted
Ihrist as their spiritual leader, let them
ollow His teachings as they understand
hem, and SO doing, openly claim AZ their
ight the name Christian.
Falling Over IA Wheel-barrow.
?f Won have occasion to use wbeel-har- |