The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-12-22
THE DECADENCE OF FAITH
AND MORALS.

AND NORA LIS.
1t is not proposed in this article to
marshal the evidences of growing in
difference to spiritual things, and of its
inevitable consequence, an increasing
prevalence of immoral practices. These
evidences have been presented from time
to time in the columns of this paper, and
yet the one hundredth part has not been
told After making full allowance for
the disposition always manifested by an
existing generation to contrast the morals
of the present with the purer times gone
by, the intelligent observer must see that
We are threatened with at least partial
eclipse of faith and period of laxity in
respect to the cardinal virtues, such as
has often happened in other times and in
other Christian nations, but which is sad
ly dishonoring to the Master, and de-
grading to the people. Despite the law
and grace of God the progress of the Wis
ible Church is not direct like that of light
and heat, but rotary like that of the
storm. And it may be that we are en-
tering the reverse current of one of those
moral cycloids which have so often played
havoc in the Christian Church. But we
are not in the condition of the anxious
mariner who sees the whirling storm ad-
vancing upon him, and can do nothing
but furl his sails and lay hold of the rig
ging. The Ship Of Zion belongs to Him
who rides the whirlwind and directs the
storm. Then let us not fear; but let us
inquire what we who are charged with
the working of the ship are called upon
to do in the emergency.
First, it is plain that the Master ex-
poets every man to do his duty. But
what does this mean? 1t means that
every man and woman protesting to fol-
low Christ, shall follow Christ and not
follow the world, the flesh, and the Devil.
1t is not our business, as editors, to
preach but as watchmen on the wall we
can see, and we may be allowed to say,
that the most dangerous feature of the
situation is that protesting Christians do
things, say things, look at things, 90 to
places, tolerate things in their houses and
among their wives and children, which
are worldly, sensual, and devilish. OF
course this is not true of all. There are
still very many Christians who are true
and beautiful in their faith and holiness,
and many families where the aroma of
the gospel pervades the house by day
and by night. And how sweet and lovely
are such people But alas how few are
these comparatively. How few are there
who do not a0ant to see Madamoiselle
Bernhardt How few young ladies
would blush if asked by young man to
witness Camillel How very, very few
who can refuse to dance the German
You ask us, if these and such like are all
wrong? We ask you, is this following
Christi
The truth is, we who at heart are OPP
posed to these things are becoming afraid
to say all that we think and perhaps
some who still keep their conduct in the
old ways, find their old principles weak
ening, and smile leniently when they
ought to testify bravely against the sen
suality that is drawing the spiritual life
out of our churches. Private Christians
must contend with "society" on many
points, if they would be faithful, and i
is not pleasant to be frowned on by tn,
body that can brand our daughters a.
second class" if they give offence; ant
therefore how often are good peopl
tempted to wink at things they dare no