Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-04-26
8eligiOas Department.
A MISTAKE.

Mistakes in life are common and
perhaps, in life the mistakes have been
many, as is often sung though we con-
fess there is nothing in any mistake. or
such like, to sing about, in our view of
the case. Better mourn over them and
repent, and do the right thing next time.
Mistakes may not be accounted sin
but that even does not destroy the often
sad and lasting influence of them. If
there is time allotted US for their con-
fession and correction it should be done
The mistakes to which we now call
attention is that of man or society not
promptly aiding the cause of Christ just
at crisis moment. 1t seems that some
think. if a church does not come to their
standard of propriety. the Lord desires
not their help, or that He, without them.
will take care of it. They look for God
to move among men in matters that re-
quire human agency without that agency.
So they plan for God to do, instead of
planning to do thcmselvs. They are
generally good takers or writers. won
derful to plan, and as wonderful to do
little, or nothing, more likely.
Perhaps the same persons have been
praying quite earnestly to God to give
them opportunity for usefulness, to make
their characters complete before Him,
and to bless them with eternal reward.
But the opportunity to do good does not
come in the way they expected. There
is, in their judgment, too large de-
mand on them personally, or their pos
sessions, time and attention, or on
their families. 1t may be they immedi-
ately compare themselves with others,
and think there is much more required
of them than there ought to be. In that
they seek justification for non-action, and
consolation while neglecting and oppos-
ing duty. What defeat of their own
daily praying is all this thought. reason
ing and inaction. 1t is triumph of
selfshness, and becomes sin at last, a.
mounting to covetousness, greed of gain,
and pride and lust follow, and sorrow
and ruin are in the train.
There is church. 1t has been long
struggling to hold its own against the
powers of darkness, and fight aggressive
battles for the Lord. The time comes
for extra work and cost to every mem
Der, and its overseers. Now it is decid-
ed to be without minister for year, and
blow the light standing in the midst of
darkness. 1t ought to have been heartily
resolved to keep it burning with holt
ness at every expense. The weak ness
of man prevails in council, and the
church, at great loss to itself, is closed
for an indefinite time. Next year man
of faith appears The church is reopen
ed. The blessing of God attends. To-
day the church that was feeble and en-
barrassed is saving more souls, by ten
times, than the rich church by its side
that was never closed up. We describe
an actual experience. The mistake was
a sad one to ever close VITAL evan
gelical church: to think of taking true
workers from one such field. The mis-
take was, not to put hands deeper in the
pocket, and trust Him who has said,
Give and it shall be given you. No
man can give anything to a worthy end,
a divinely approved object or cause, and
be loser. He must be one who gains.
according to the providence, government
and will of our Lord.
There is mistake, grand one, we
think, in allowing one man to defeat
many, simply because he will not do his
plain duty. The others, without him,
should move forward in that path that
has the appreciation of God upon it.
1t gives the undutiful man too much in
fiuence where he ought, as such, to have
none. He should be made to see and
feel that God and His people can get
along without him. He is not the nee
essary factor that some suppose in the
success of the great work of Jesus among
men. The Lord wants him saved, and
so do believers but if he seeks the
overthrow of needed good, leave him to
discover his mistake through the bles-
sings of God, on the united endeavors Of
those who desire the will of the Lord to
be done.
Men never make greater mistake, in
this changing world, than when, in any
cause, for any reason, they slip the tug;
at the bottom of the hill. Still, how
many do it only because of slight Of
fence, or what seems at times only Sigh
sel6shness. If they had put little
: good will toward men down hard upor
r their besetment, they would have beer
the conquerors of self, and of all car
nality with the help of the sought anc
found holy spirit of Jesus.
Are you in condition to make Chris
tian man of yourself, to make the mos
y of yourself, by labors extra, self-denla