The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-11-15
On the Protestant Use of Popish Idols
BY ROBERT PATTERSON, D. D.

i Un the Protestant Use OF Poplsh ld0s.
BY ROBERT PATTERSON, D. D.
The human mind has powerful tendency
to worship idols, as the history of Gods
Church among Jews and Gentiles sadly tes-
titles. Intercourse with idolaters first famil-
iarized Israel with their idols; then they
ceased to regard them with adherence; next
they viewed them as ornaments and charms;
finally, they adored them, and put their trust
in them. The apostasy of the Christian
Church into idolatry was conducted in the
same manner. At the Reformation, the Re-
formed, as distinguished from the Lutheran,
Anglican and Popish Churches, cast out the
idols; the English and Lutheran Churches
retained the figure of the cross in their ar
chtecture and worship. The result is ap-
parent in the greater tendency of the chill
dren trained up in the Anglican Church to
Popery. The use of idols in any way in our
churches should be condemned, and is gen.
orally omitted.
Bnt there is growing tendency among
Presbyterians to the use of the cross as an
ornament for the parlor or of the person
pretty arrangements of skeleton leaves, moss
es, and the like, are thus hung upon cross,
while crosses of gold, silver or jet are sus-
pended from the neck as ornaments instead
Of lockets. A little magazine for children,
published by Presbyterian ladies, ornaments
its cover with the figure of youth pointing
group of children to cross, as though
there were religion somehow in gazing on two
pieces of wood.
All this is appropriate for Papists. The
cross is one Of their idols, and it is in har.
mony with their religion to have the instru.
ments of their idolatry ever present, and to
use idols as the books of the ignorant. But
it is utterly incongruous with Presbyterian
principles for Presbyterians to patronize and
parade the implements of idolatry. There
is no command of Christ or his apostles for
US to make or use wooden, or golden, or
aowery crosses, either as idols or as remem.
brancers. The Bible is our remembrancer
of Christ, who will not have his people ig-
norant He never says to US: "Look at the
cruci6x p but he says: "Search the Scrip
lures" Any religious use of the cross by
Presbyterians is therefore an inconsistency
with our profession, Of refusing to worship
God in any other way than that appointed
in His Word" It is, in fact, though not so
designed, an approach to idolatry.
If the religious use of the cross be thus
chargeable with superstition, its use as an
ornament cannot be freed from the charge
of profanity, save by the apology of thought
lessness. Surely no young Christian who
seriously reflects for half an hour upon that
solemn scene upon Calvary, in which Jesus
wrought out our salvation while hanging in
agony on the cross, or who will even pray.
erfully read over the evangelists' description
of that awful, agonizing execution, could
arise from auch perusal, and, arraying her.
self in festal robes, attempt to heighten her
charms by adding the symbol of the gbbet
on which her Saviour was racked! The Or
namental cross atteSts utter forgetfulness of
the agony of Christ's crucifxion.
We cannot see how Presbyterians can es-
cape the sinfulness of superstition, if they
use the cross religiously, or else of profanity,
if they use it thoughtlessly, as an ornament.
Surely it is the most incongruous and offen-
sive of ornaments. One would think that it's
introduction into the ballroom would as ef-
fectually stop the chatter of gossip and friv-
olity as Mr.. Moody's prayer.meeting in the
Chicago saloon silenced the card.players.-
But it never produces any such effect. The
proclamation has been carried so far that, for
the most part, the origin Of the emblem has
been forgotten by the crowd. But why
should Christians help forward such profan-
alton? Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.-
Let Christians no longer condemn themselves
by Haunting the cross on which Christ suf-
fered as an ornament, and the emblem of his
self-denial as an appendage of their luxury.
Herald and Pres6yter.