Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-05-14
8tligiOns department.
DOING Is BETTER THAN
TALKING.
BvJoHN 4. READ.

BYJOHN II. READ.
In the church. the Sabbath school,
and whatever moral instruction is given,
the great fact that it is by deeds, rather
than by words that Christians are judged
by the world. is too often overlooked.
Some jealous professors seem to forget
that a man may talk freely and we'll in
a prayer-meeting. be constant attend
ant upon the services Of the sanctuary,
an active member Of the Sabbath. school.
and labor in season and out Of season
with the impenitent. and yet, In spite of
all this. be not only useless member Of
the church, but even stumbling block
to those who are out of Christ. They
overlook the fact that if his life is not
consistent, all his professions and efforts
will be useless, if not positively injuri-
Gus. And we find that in almost every
church there are men who talk a great
deal on the subject Of religion whose
words avail nothing for good because the
evil Of their daily lives counteracts all
the good which they otherwise might do.
In illustrating | will give couple Of
instances which came under my observa-
ton. A few years ago wealthy man
moved to ncighboring town and carried
letter 10 the weak and struggling
church which was there located. In his
new home he was very active in religious
meetings, aud wherever anything was
to be said for Christ he was ''never
wanting there" But he was extremely
selfish and was not willing to pay one
half Of his proportion for the support Of
the gospel at home or abroad. While
he was ready with Zip service" be was
always reluctant when more substantial
aid was required. Severed Of his neigh
bors, who we're not Christians, making
HE inOonsistency an excuse for their own
shortcomings. cut down their subscrip-
tons, and it became more difficult to
sustain religious services than it would
have been If this wealthy man had
stayed away. All his talk passed as
nothing, but his actions told against thu
cause Of Christ.
Another man, who belonged to tn
same church, and who was great talke
at prayer-meetings and with the impeni
tent, was notorious for misrepresentinJ
the quality Of the goods which he ha'
for sale. He had obtained reputation
for practical dishonesty and petty mean
ness which more than neutralized al
the good which talking might Otherwis
have done; and this made him. instea
of help, as he ought to have been,
hindrance to the church.
And in all other churches there al
doubtless. men who say one thing j
words and a very different one in action
They do not realize that it is by the
deeds that they will be judged. The
have yet TO learn that it is not who'll.
nor yet principally, by talking that Il
world is to be converted. A quiet, col
sistent life and q good example a
among the most effective private instr
mentalities for leading men to Chris
And while no reliance for salvation
to be placed upon good works, it is ce
tain that no living piety without ther
The best way to "stand up for Jesus
is to live holy life. Not those wi
have said "LOrd, Lord" but those vi
have done the will Of God, will be a.
mitted to the kingdom Of heaven. L
every man who speaks for Christ, eth
in public or in private, be sure to ha
his words enforced by truly Christi
life. Otherwise they will pass fer naugl
the cause Of Christ will not be advance
and He will be wounded in the house
His friends.-S. S. Times.