The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-02-04
To a Worldly Professor.

To a Worldly Professor.
Dear Sir,-You and 1 represent two
widely different and easily recognized
classes in the protesting Church. The
lines between us are coming to be almost
as distinctly drawn as they once were
between the Church and the world
Your class know little and believe less of
the creeds and standards to which they
have subscribed. They have no profound
and influential faith in the old and fun
damental doctrines of the gospel. They
do not study their Bibles, and do not be-
ieve in "doctrinal preaching They
form their own creeds or follow the la
test thought, or some cunning and bril-
liant errorist.
They live latter the course of this
world. - They cannot be singular" but
must "do as the rest do" AS the church
drifts towards the world they think the
world Is drifting into the church and the
kingdom. They conform to the amuse-
ments and fashions of the world, and
think they serve the cause by making
religion attractive" and enjoying them
selves. When convenient, they 90 to
church to be entertained by preaching,
but they can have no fellowship with spir-
itual persons or things. They cannot
pray IN the spirit, nor engage heartily in
any spiritual service for Christ and his
cause. They have had conscience enough
to brighten them into the Church, but
they have not consciousness enough
to make them either thorough going
worldlings or Christians. They try to
occupy middle ground and make 1.-THE
best Of both worlds"
This class very numerous in some
churches demand ministers of their own
sort and the demand brings the supply
2 Tim. iV: 3, 4; Matt. vii %, 23.-
Many of your class, by their own confess
sion, are unconverted persons and others
are manifested as such clearly by their
lives. We are pitied and despised by
you. How can two walk together ex-
cept they be agreed?' And how can we
ever agree? We shall never sell the
truth but stand as the Lords witnesses
until he shall appear to vindicate himself
and us. The rejection and reproach of
the world has no terrors for us and we
welcome the privilege of hard service and
suffering for our master We are not
disappointed and soured men, for we at
tain the great end of our ambition, which
is to be popular with the master"
We have but a slender hope that MANY
of your class will ever change or be
changed. Now what shall be the issue
OF this ecclesiastical incongruity If the
present drift continues, and the Lord tar
RES, separation in the near future is in
evitable. How shall this be effected g?
Peacefully if possible But which class
should go out? We claim for many rea-
sons, that your class ought to peacefully
withdraw. The way ought to be made
easy for you by ecclesiastical authorities
The need of unloading the church" of
lmPedlments, ought to Justify cutting red
tape. If a way cannot be found it should
be made: Many Of your class honestly
supposed themselves converted when they
Joined the church, but they would now be
much more at home" in the world.
Pastors and friends may have been to
blame IN bringing them in But they are
no part OF the spiritual life of the church.
and for many reasons they ought to leave
1T. | would say tOsthis class, membership
IN the church cannot save you. IF YOU
are out OF Christ, you should be out of
the Church.
2. You are far less likely to be con-
verted and saved in the Church than out
OF 1T. While there are undoubtedly many
imPenltent persons in the Church, we
seldom see one Of them converted The
reasons for this are obvious.
3. a little consideration will show you
that, IN the Church, you are an open dis
grace to yourselves, the Church, and the
cause. A natural sense of shame or pro-
Priety ought to lead you out
4. You cannot feel satisfied, safe, or
happy in the Church. You 90 to the
world for your pleasures, and only en-
dure the loose-ftting ecclesiastical yoke
Go out and be free in Satan's service,