Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-07-21
HYpOERlSY.

this country as to Great Britain.
=
UYPOCRlSY.
For say unto you, That except your right
eousness shall coed the righteousness of the
scribes and Pharisees, We shall in no case enter
into the kingdom of ACKNOWLEDGMENT v: 20.
This is but one of hundred texts of
scripture which show the adherence felt by
the Master for the sin of hypocrisy. His
utterances TEEN with cautions to his dis
ciples to beware of hypocrisy and all man
ner of uncleanness, and warnings OF divine
wrath az the penalty for its indulgence.
Christ had pity for the woman taken in
adultery and forgave the thief upon the
cross, but he had no word of pity, no for
gveness, no mercy for the hypocrite. Meek
and merciful though he was, showering
blessings upon mankind rather than curses,
his denunciations of hypocrisy and hypo-
critics we're sometimes fearful. He regarded
the sin as an insult to God-an unpardon-
able offense meriting the most condign pun.
ishment-perpetual exclusion from the
Divine presence.
Notwithstanding the fact that Jesus looked
with such loathing upon hypocrisy,
there is no sin SO universal and 80 promi-
nent in the church to-day. From the priest
who expounds the word from the pulpit, down
to the poorest and the youngest member of
the church to whom be breaches, this quail
ty is dominant all-pervading. If not by
precept at least by example the practice of
hypocrisy is taught from the pulpit-is
made the rudiment of religious training. the
ambition of religious life and excellence.
How often do we hear ministers of the Cos
pei decry from the Lulpit that greed of
worldly gain of which they are in private
life the most noteworthy examples! How
often do they grow eloquent in denunciation
of lust, of intemperance, IF fondness for
worldly honor and display, when all who
listen to them, even to the child just devel-
rping into q reasoning human being, know
that their lives are marred by these vices,
and that they are utter strangers to the most
loveable of the Christian graces! How often
do they dwell upon the beauties of divine
compassion and extol the excellence of re-
lgion of love while they inculcate by their
example religion of hate! Here is a min
lister who processes to despise worldly honor
and profit, and to hunger and thirst after
righteousness only-to labor in season and
out of season for the glory of God. Yet he
takes care to find church that is fashion
able and wealthy, we'll able to pay good
round salary AMI maintain him in luxury.
He carefully avoids touching upon all sub
jects that would be apt to offend the fas-
tidious of his congregation or too closely
approach their vices. He breaches popular
sermons" which owe their popularity to the
fact that they denounce vulgar offenses and
gid over fashionable vices. Thus does he
give the lie to his professions. Here
is another who processes to believe
that a great majority of mankind are doomed,
unless they repent, to spend an eternity in a
place of horrible torment, and yet he avoids
warning his hearers of their danger lest he
should offend them; or, if he refers to it in
the pulpit, he carefully avoids the subject in
his daily walk and conversation. Examples
of similar nature might be multiplied in
definitely.
The example thus set by the leaders of re-
ligions thought cannot fail to have PERM
cious influence. If there are hypocrites in
the pulpit, there must inevitably be hypocri-
sy in the pews. 1t is absurd to expect great
or excellence in the parishoner than in the
pastor. Needless themselves of the precepts
of the Master they profess to serve, how can
the clergy and the professed followers of
Christ expect to exert an influence for good
upon the outside world? What effect can
their denunciations of hypocrisy have when
they 80 conspicuously practice it? How can
they blame dissemblance in others, in the
face of their own hypocritical cantl If min
listers of the gospel are so notorious for
their hypocrisy, how can they censure their
Pensioners for stealing the livery of heaven
to serve the devil in? These are questions
pertinent to the times. The hypocrisy of
many church members is 50 notorious that
people cannot be blamed for doubling their
sincerity in all things, for they remember
that whatsoever shall keep the whole law
and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of
all.''