Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-01-27
Your Religion,

WHAT good comes of it? Do you SIM
ply profess it? or do you really possess it,
Does it make you more amiable? or are
you just as harsh, petulant, and irritable
as the unregenerated? Does it make you
more kindly, forgiving, and generous,
with spirit which wishes we'll to all man
kind? or" are you selfish, narrow minded,
unforgiving? Does it resign you to the
inevitable? Is it a comfort IN times of
affiictlonsa support when YOU meet with
losses, reverseS and calamities? Can YOU
contemplate death with, composure and
equanimity? Do you 6eltece I'm the
PROMISES that all will be we'll with the
good? Areyou resigned? Can you truly
say, "Thy will be donen? If you are a
Christian, you will edo as you would be
done BY" seek the good of others rather
than personal gratifcation-will be just,
hopeful, forgiving, cheerful, trusting,
charitable
A Christian will carefully regulate his
propensities, guard against a sordid love
of money, vain pride or egotism, an acri-
monious temper, fault finding, unjust sus-
picion, jealousy, deception, or double
dealing, or doing anything which the
great teacher Christ himself would not
have approved.
A truly vital religion elevates and i'm
proves; spurious religion, or hypocrisy,
corrupts and leads downward. A trud
Christian worships God Gin sincerity and
in TRUTH" and looks more to, the adorn-
ment Of his mind than of his body.
a contemporary says: & have seen a
woman protesting to love Christ more
than the world clad in 81 silk dress cost
ing $75; making up and trimming of
same, $40; bonnet (or apology for one),
$35; velvet mantle, $780, diamond ring,
$500; watch, chain, pin and other trap.
pings, $500; total, 81, 1OO-all hung upon
one frailt mortal. l have seen her at
meeting in behalf of homeless wanderers.
in New York, wipe her eyes apon an en-
brOidered misunderstanding S1O-at
the story of their sufferings, and when the
contribution came round take from a
well-f1lled wallet of costly workmanship
Twenty-Five cents to aid the society formed
to promote their welfare. All, thought I,
dollars for ribbons and pennies for Christ's
childrenr'
How is it with the men? What amount
do they spend on their Indulgence in
costly dinners, wine, liquor and tobacco,
that should be used for good purposes?
How much for mere pleasure excursions,
visiting watering places, and in dissipa
ton and firtations? How much for fast
horses, stylish equipages and vain display?
Are the clergy themselves exempt from all
these things? Are vestrymen, deacons
and other church officers all circumspect
and consistent Christians?
Are all those who sing praises to Him
in sacred song actuated by an exalted
Christian spirit? or are they ambitious
for worldly honors, eager for wages, or
for the praises Of f1attering tongues? How
shocking to devout mind is it to witness
the utter want of reverence in person
approaching his Maker with manner of
Indifference as though he were al auc-
tioneer about to harangue a body Of
tobacco buyers. Such scenes may be wit
uCocCo AOs q lAlOhSd DlIICo liOUl NEW
York.
True religion is not cloak to cover up
sin, though impostOrs so use it. Nor is
it means by which the purse proud, the
arrogant or naughty Pharisee can secure
happiness here or hereafter True religion
brings blessings to its possessor, let his
worldly circumstances be what they NAV.
Reader, be not deceived see to it that
gour religion is founded on the truth.
With Christ for your guide, teacher, COM
panIon, you cannot remain in error nor
go Tar wrong.-Phren0E0ga Journal.
PRAYER is the rustling Of the wings OF
the angels that are on their way bringing
US the boons of heaven. Even as cloud
toreshadoweth rain, SO prayer foreshadoW-
eth the blessing; even as the green blade IS
the beginning Of the harvest, so IS prayer
the prophecy of the blessing that is about
to come-4Spurgeon.
BEFORE marriage young ladies devote
themselves to fineries; after marriage
L, -. - +birI~ IF rrropariao