The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-16

II Is a serious defect of the religious
.eaching and preaching prevalent among
us, that II dwells too much on future IN
stead of present state OF rewards and
punishmcnts The burden OF most de-
nuuciations OF sin and celebrations to
righteousness is, that at some indefinite
period after death-nobody can say when
the sinner will pay the penalty OF his
transgressions and the saint receive the
recompense OF his obedience; but in the
meanwhile il is conceded that the sinners
lot is the better Of the two. Indeed, in lis
tening to some pulpit orators, one would
conclude that but for the awful shadow of
future retribution which hangs over II, sin
would be altogether n more profitable
speculation than Righteousness. The con-
sequence is that acting on the proverbial
excellence of IA bird in the hand over
several in the bush, people devote them
selves rather to securing on the SPOT the
eujoyments to which their evil propcnsi-
ties incline them, than to the uncertain
aud remote happiness promised IN return
for "a life Of self-denial.
Theoretically, indeed, the advocates Of
godlness profess that it is profitable for
IN their practice, rs well rs in their preach
lng, they demonstrate that they really be
lcve the contrary. Else why is it that
50 many religious people, not only in their
talk coucede the superior advantages OF
wrong doing but prefer it in their con-
duct7 They set their faces towail the
mountain of holiness, but cast back upon
Sodom longing, lingering looks, which
root them to the ground, and arrest their
upward progress. The heavenly city is so
Tar of, and that delightful resort of wick
edness is so near by Hence il is that we
see vast ndmbers, who have resolved upon
repentance aud amendment, giving up the
effort aftcr short trial, and r,lapsiug into
their former sins.
The rohely for the evil is the recogni-
ton and PRONUNCIATION of the truth, that
religion Is intended for the present life.
aud brings its rewards with II during this
Ufe. instead Of po>tponing them TO an un-
known future. Until the ground be square
~ taken that, whether there l. or IL not "a
rcsuri cchou, whether there is or IL not
hell and heaven, or whether the last
Judgment takes place AZ one period or an
other. "A good life l. good thing now. and
abIl lilca bad thing now, not much can
be expected in the way OF reforming the
world by religious agencies. There are, we
iondly believe, enough witnesses who can
testify to this effect. from their own eXpe-
riencc, TO make IL credible to others, and
thor testimony ought to he brought for
ward aud insisted on. Let them say, as
they truthfully can, that they derive from
faith in con and obedience to his com
mandments, from the denial of their evil
propensities, and from the honest, consci-
entious dis, barge Of their duties TO the
ncEhbor, peace OF nina, and a quiet, all
pcgvadiug bllssfulness, which suTpass the
stormy delights OF wickedness Us IA lovely
spring day surpasses night of debauch.
Let them say also, that even the transitOry
pleasures, OF which the mortal body anC
It's senses are the instrument are so sweet
ened and purified by godly restraint and
chastisement as to yield them happiness
OF which the devotee of mere carnal enjoy
ment can form no conception In word
let them show, n they can show, that obe
dence to heavenly laws makes heaven
here AS well as hereafter, and they Will rs.
tablish counterbaance to the attractive
ness OF sin, which will immensely weaker
its power over the souls OF men.