Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-10-13
HOW 70 AVOID CRITIcIsM.

How can the church avoid censure, and
not only put to silence the ignorance of fool
ish men, but quiet the cavilings of men of
learning who really have cause of complaint
against it? is a question often asked by those
who have the cause of religion sincerely at
heart. The answer is embodied in the text
quoted-"with well DOING It cannot be
exposed itself to censure in many respects,
and that the hostility of men of science and
letters has powerful influence in impeding
its work. Much of this hostility has been
evoked by the insincerity of the professed
followers of Christ, and by the evil conduct
of those who teach the religion which they
declare is potent to make of the sinner a
man Of probity and uprightness. It sis of
the utmost Importance that preachers of the
gospel especially should be above reproach.
How would the public regard a man who,
processing to teach grace of movement and
elegance of department, was himself the
mest ungainly and boorish of men? Would
they not pronounce both him and his system
fraud? And if the men who teach purity
of life and enjoin upon their pupils honesty,
virtue and uprightness are themselves open
to the suspicion of living lives in which
these virtues play no part, are people to be
blamed if they pronounce both the preacher
arrant impostures?
1t is the boast of preachers of the gospel
that religion makes men happier and better
creatures that a life spent in the service of
the church is full of blessings and product
i've of the highest earthly delight. And
yet every day we find that some of these
preachers in their daily lives have given the
lie to their teachings, and have proved that
religion-or at least that quality of it which
they possess-is incapable of making nat
urally depraved man yirtuous or honest. AS
long as such men remain in the ministry
as long as Beechef, Vosburgh, Hayden Glen
denning, and men of their stamp are pointed
to as great expounders of the word of God,
and upheld by their congregations as models
worthy Of all imitation, religion and the
church cannot hope to escape reproach. The
very appearance of evil ought to disqualify
any man from being a teacher of righteous
ness, for If he once becomes an object of
suspicion on account of his daily walk and
conversation, he will accomplish more harm
than good even though he may be gifted
with the tongues of men and of angels.
The preachers of the word must not only
live blameless lives, but they must be above
suspicion. Religious people, by their zeal
for those charged with or convicted of crimes
against the moral law, bring more disgrace
upon religion and do it infinitely more harm
than do the scoffers and the nngodly. Only
by well doing can the church hope to silence
the scofers. Give them nothing to scott at,
and they will find their occupation gone.
Not only are the teachers of religion open
to blame, but many of those who claim to
take the bible for the guide of their conduct
also give the ungodly chance to condemn
be distinguished from "the worlds people"
by their conduct. They move among their
fellowmen week after week, and utter not a
word in rebuke of sin in its many forms.
They speak the name of deity lightly, or
laugh at profanity or bawdy jest wit b gusto.
They drive sharp bargains, cheat, pervert the
truth, scandalize their neighbors, and in all
other respects act the part of the unregener
ate. Yet these people profess to be astonish-
ed that any should doubt that religion makes
men better, and qualities them for associa-
ton with the redeemed hereafter. It would
be still more astonishing if, in view of their
conduct, such doubts did not arise and find
emphatic expression. If the teachers and
followers of the doctrines of Christianity
would avoid reproach, they must live better
lives. A known lecher must not be permit
ted to preach virtue; murderer and Sc
Queer must not be permitted to instruct his
superiors as to the sacredness of life and of
the marital relations; men who pretend to
have experienced the regenerating power of
religion must live so as to prove the truth of
their professions. Thus only can they ''put
to silence the ignorance of the foolish men"
and disarm the criticisms of the wise.