Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-10-04
EVERYDAY RELIGION.
ON THAT THEME BY Or. SON.
NESCHElN, OF ST. LOUIS.
He Deems Mere HOliday-Relgion of Slight
Account. - And Suggests Means
for Securing that Which
is Better.

The doctor read from proverbs VIII, d.
Blessed is the man that obeys me,
watching daily at my gates, waiting at
the posts OF my DOORS" and said: We
have
A HOLIDAY RELIGION
And an everyday religion; not only we,
but the heather IN China and the East
Indies has a holiday religion and an
everyday religion. Now, why Is this
500 Ii is not because the one or the
other is so rare and costly Is to put 1t
beyond the power OF all TO possess 1t,
for our text emphasizes who are bless
ell. No, it is not that; but In ancient
times when ignorance held sway over
the mind OF mankind, when civilization
was sending forth only ITS dim, early
morning and when refinement and
culture were not vet risen in the sky OF
progress. mans physical wants were
few and his spiritual needs made no call
upon him whatever; as the necessity
of garments to cover his body dbl not
make imperative demands-much less
did the claims of a higher spiritual Be
inc force themselves upon his benlghted
soul. lie knew no hOlldays-nO week
consequently no holiday or week
ay religion. To-day is different day;
ed something with which TO cover
ourselves. As these first cold, autumn
ma, winds suggest warm clothing and
the fire upon the hearth ~ refuge from
their chilly touch, 50 the buffet OF LIES
storms, though they come IN Its sum-
mer time, and the gloom OF It's autumn
and winter cause the soul TO long Tor
the shelter and safety OF a spiritual pro-
lection. But do We want this for a hol-
iiay attire Only2-a dress to be worn
only ON stated days, once a month. or
once year? Do we want a religion
which We are to take out and air and
wear now and then, and afterwards put
il away under bushel? Is suct
religion.
A RELIGIl NT) DIE BY?
Much more. is il religion to live by?
Ny friends, the fact is, holiday religion
has no strength. Ii is not constructed
vita view To long wear and use. Ii IL
nice 10 look upon; 1t Is especially adapt
ed 10 excite admiration; but II 1t be put
10 the test of use, the holiday religion
will be worn out and torn 10 shreds in
less than no time, and prove a dlsap-
pointment 10 It's pOSScsSOr. You Will
bear with me, then, it l repeat that peo-
ple need an everyday religion more,
much more, than holiday one. lwlSh
that the words Of my text could be tul-
filled i'm every iOta D. their import.
Blessed is the man that Obeys my laws,
that is Watching the entrance OF my
house. and waiting at the posts OF my
doors" The laws Of God are the basis
oi religion; then 20 obey God Is religion.
The very text which | have selected Is
taken from u chapter IN which the poet
luSphiloSpphcr of old has described IN
rapturuus words the value OF religion,
which I'm his estimation Is not 4 holiday
affair not something TO he felt and prdc-
tiSed at certain times when man has time
and Is the mood for il, but something
tina, shall be constantly within HIM, the
uulcrrurreut Of his life, the motive
power To his acts, an migrating and re-
frrShiug agent, a. much 4 part OF HIM as
his breath Is. Without the breath there
Is no life, 81 without constant obedience
and wJtChiulneSs in regard to the laws
of God. there il no religion. One little
break in the chain of events in the daily
moral life may eadauger the very safety
pt our ctbjrd, health, and II We have
only religion for stated occasions, which
We can not rely upon IN everyday emer-
sencieS. We have none at all. Such a re-
isi0u NAV be good enough Tor hum who
lives bv il. Tor priest or rabbi; II Is hls
profession. think If the world would
10 away with holiday religion Il great
many professional teachers of religion
would look out for something else to de-
pend upon. Ii people had an everyday
religion they would take care oil their
oNu spiritual welfare and moral welI-be-
iuu and have no use for quack preach
rrS but, alas, nations, communities ana
individuals have no everyday relSlon
because they have 10 everyday ethics,
and they are morally corrupt and SICK.
SOMETHING Is ASrIss
I'm them; they need physician, and a
minister is called in To- lift them up and
cure them: he Is rightly called the ply
stefan Of the spiritual health, the physl-
clan of the soul. Ii people are healthy
they need no physician except as a
friendly adviser; II people have an
everyday religion they have no use for
a sacerditaI chief and will only employ
an earnest teacher; and it will be so
when everybody practically carries out
tine words Of our text, when everybody
obcys the laws of God aud stands watch
ing m the entrance Of His house and
waiting at the posts OF his doors. Then
there is another class OF people of per
haps less intelligence, who do not re-
gard the church or syuagogueaS a train
ug school for moral and mental we'll
being; but loook upon it aS a sort OF
savings institution where they may de
posit their good deeds. They will keep
q bank account, make their entries; the
priest has an accurate account OF every
individual member of his church, and
they are sure they will be able to draw
on the bank at any time of embarrasS-
ment. When they are sick they only
need to pray "God Almighty, help me,
l have deposited aims. l have given to