Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-07-16
Religion as a Living Power.


Religion as a Living Power.
IT is only as it molds the character
and controls the life that religion be-
comes a living power. As a mere sys-
tenn Of dogmas, unfelt and Impractical,
it is to all inients 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 its 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-
slider. There are three of these indica-
tioRs 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 a 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 OIL
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 anC
expounding the Scriptures, and procla
nation of the Gospel according to the
last command Of Christ, what an ides
would this vision give us of that infu-
ence which has gone out over the earth,
and is perpetually controlling the
thoughts, the purposes, the plans o.
life and the actions of livingmen. None
but the Divine mind is adequate K
grasp this vision, to measure this intlu
ence, to understand this potentia
agency. And yet nothing less than thi
is the influence and the agency whicl
Christianity is exerting in every lant
under heaven where the Gospel
preached, the Sabbath observed and tn
public worship of the congregation es
tabHshed. Can anything less, than
great and vital power accomplish re
suit like this? No man can dispute tn
fact that it is accomplished. But tn
fact itself is a perpetual demonstration
that the religion of Christ is not mer
dogma, not an abstract idea, not
dead letter, but living reality amongs
men.
A second indication of the livin.
power of Christianity, perhaps eve
more potential than the foregoing,
seen in the home circle. The religio
of Christ has its private not less tina
its public sanctuaries. Its influence i
the great congregation is that of as
sembled multitudes actuated by tn
same spirit and combined for dehnit
object, the worship of God. But this
= an influence exerted for the most par
only one day in seven, sending its in
pulse through the week. But the IT
lipion of Christ covers all the duties {
| man and throws its salutary power owe
all days alike. Thus it erects its sanC
tuarv in every household, it establishC
its morning and evening worship
every family altar. 1t becomes
daily instructor and guide to u
youth of each particular home circl
it makes the family a trainir
school for Christ and for the Churc
, and it sheds over all the duties of Iii
the fragrance of religious worship, Il
blessed influence of parental precel
and example. Once a day at least, an
for the most part twice, God venerate
Book is read in the hearing Of the hous
hold group, the voice OF beseechin
I prayer is lifted heayenward, and tt
; sacred hymn with its notes of thank
, giving and praise gives unction to Il
, sweet hour of prayer. We do not Sc
that this picture of social devotion
5 always realized in every family circl
= But it is in many, perhaps in thousand
a in different parts of the land. This,
I any rate, is the type and model OF far
4 ily worship which the Gospel aims
9 eXemplify, and does eNemplity in 4
i degree to which Christian parents Ii
K up to their high vocation.
Q Now can any one fail to see that he
Il is a strong influence eNerted over I
!. character and actions OF Christian fan
y lies which is rs salutary and powerful
It that which goes out from the weeb
g ministrations of the great congregatio
II Il is, in fact, when we divide the gre
/ congregation into its constituent Q
!. ments, the Christian families, aud ira