The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-07-24
Religion as a Living Power.

helIglOn as LIVING ROVER.
IT is only as it molds the character
and controls the life that religion be-
comes living power As mere sys-
tenn of dogmas, unfelt and Impractical,
it is to all intents and purposes a dead
letter In this aspect of it, it may de-
serve the Indifference or contempt
which its enemies sometimes exhibit.
In proportion, however, as it's doctrines
are cordially embraced, intelligently
understood and reduced to practice in
daily life, religion becomes vital and
ever present reality amongst men, Win
ming the admiration of the good and
commanding the respect even of its
enemies. Viewed in the last aspect it
is far more of the reality in our Chris
tian society than superficial observers
are apt to think. In fact it may be
questioned whether there is any other
reality in the world so potential and so
vital
Let us notice for moment some of
the manifestations of this living and
controlling power of evangelical relig-
ion. We shall find them not in one
church alone, not in one class of Chris
tians alone, but in all true Christian
churches, among all sincere men and
women of every name who have in any
way come under the influence of Bible
Christianity. We shall find that Chris
tianity has its strongholds in society
and gives daily manifestations of its
power which it would be well for the
skeptical rejectors of its claims to con-
ci1oy Tharo ORC tbroo Of tboco ip6ioo
tions of vital influence which are ex-
ceedingly striking, as showing the de-
gree in which Christianity has won its
way to the hearts of men and triumph
ed in our modern society.
The first of these is seen in the wor-
ship of the Christian congregation.
Whenever and wherever congrega-
ton of Christian worshipers, large or
small, is assembled on the Sabbath day,
in city, town or country, there is the
ocular demonstration of what Chris
tianity is doing for men, there is the
standing monument of the progress
which it has made across the ages and
across the earth. What is it that every
where simultaneously draws these null
titudes and holds together these atten-
tive, interested and devout worshipers?
Is it any feeble or inadequate power that
has done this so long and is still doing
it in every part of Christendom? If on
any given Sabbath we could see all the
Christian congregations in the world
assembled in their places Of sacred wor-
ship, with their solemn ordinances of
prayer, of praise to God, of reading and
expounding the Scriptures, and procla-
nation of the Gospel according to the
last command of Christ, what an idea
would this vision give us of that inhu-
ence which has gone out over the earth,
and is perpetually controlling the
thoughts, the purposes, the plans of
life and the actions of living men. None
but the Divine mind is adequate to
grasp this vision, to measure this influ-
ence, to understand this potential
agency. And yet nothing less than this
is the influence and the agency which
Christianity is exerting in every land
under heaven where the Gospel is
preached, the Sabbath observed and the
public worship of the congregation es-
tablished. Can anything less than a
great and vital power accomplish re-
suit like thisP No man can dispute the
fact that it is accomplished. But the
fact itself is perpetual demonstration
that the religion of Christ is not mere |
dogma, not an abstract idea, not
dead letter, but living reality amongst
men.
A second indication of the living
power of Christianity, perhaps even
more potential than the foregoing, is
seen in the home circle. The religion
of Christ has its private not less than
its public sanctuaries. Its influence in
the great congregation is that of as
sembled multitudes actuated by the
same spirit and combined for definite
object, the worship of God. But this is
an influence exerted for the most part
only one day in seven, sending its inn
pulse through the week. But the re-
ligion of Christ covers all the duties of
man and throws its salutary power over
all days alike. Thus it erects its sane
tuary in every household, it establishes
it's morning and evening worship at
every family altar. 1t becomes a
daily instructor and guide to the
youth of each particular home circle;
il makes the family training |
school for Christ and for the Church;
and it sheds over all the duties of life |
the fragrance of religious worship, the
blessed influence of parental precept |
and example. Once day at least, and
for the most part twice, God venerated
Book is read in the hearing of the house.
hold group, the voice of beseeching
prayer is lifted heavenward, and the
sacred hymn with its notes of thanks
giving and praise gives JUNCTION to the
sweet hour of prayer. We do not say
that this picture of social devotion is !