The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1881-04-30
PRIDE.

RISING Sun. lth Mo-, 10Th, 1891.
H. X. ToRBERT:-I herewith send you
IN article On Pride" by Bishop j.
Weaver, which you will please publish.
Elk
Aud now abidcth Pride. Fashion, E.c-
'rnr"gance-these three; but the creates,
= these is pride. simply because it is the
90: of the whole matter. Destroy tho
GOT. and the tree will die.
1t is hardly worth while to waste AM
munition in shooting at fashion and ez-
rravagance as long as the root is alive.
Most persons say it does not matter how
people dress. pride is in the heart. Very
true. but straws show which way the
wind blows. Plain exterior may cover
up proud heart but depend upon it. a
ashi"n;lble exterior seldom, if ever,
covers up a plain heart. Some rules work
two ways. but some will not. \ lady
once asked minister whether person
might not be fond of dress and orna-
When you see the fox $ tail peeping ont
of the hole you may be sure the fox is
nithin." Jewelry and costly and fashion
able clothing may all be innocent things
in their places. but when hung upon the
human form they give most conclusive
evidence of a proud heart.
But is it possible that 4 man can be
found at this advanced age of refinement
that dares to write or speak wort
against pride and its consequences. The
large majority of that class of men died
md were handsomely buried some time
ago. Now. the pulpits have nearly al!
shut down on that style of preaching,
The fact is. we have passed that age, and
ire living in better times. Our fathers
aud mothers were far behind the times.
they We're good enough in their way;
but, dear me. they would not do now.
They Wore plain clothes. worshiped IL
pl.lR buildings. and sung old-tashionro
n>mns. They talked and acted like some
old pilgrims that were looking for be-.
ter country; and when they left the
world they stuck to it to the very las
that they were going 10 a city wheEs
there is no night. 1t is my deiiberats
opinion that the vast majority of ther1
aent just where they said they wcre
going. But they are nearly all out of
the WAY now. and the people have J.
mind to try different route. We car
he Christians now and do as we like
Us indeed. We can have fine edfr:*.
cushioned seats, costly carpets, a fashion
,ble preacher and have all our fiddiing
,ud singing done to order. Why in sOin@
II our modern structures the majority CT
the choir are not even members of the
church, and they do sing SO sweetly.
perfectly d'ightnl. The music rolI>
~rr the heads of the congregation Ike
tn, sound of many waters Not wore
AIN be- heard; but the sound is gloTiogs'
sometimes one sings all alone for 4 little
while; then two and pretty soon the
wh"le choir will chime in until the whole
house is filled with most transporting
sound Now. il this is not singing with
the spirit and with the understanding
,lS,. then what is it THAT S the question.
know it is little risky to speak out
against pride at this day, because the
church is full of it. 1t is of no use t.
deny it. And hundreds who occupy the
pulpit. whose duty it is to point ont these
evils plainly. are like dumb dogs; they
don even bark at it. They just let ii
90: and go it does. And in proportion
as pride gains in a church. spiritual
power dies out. They will not, can not
dwell together, for they are eternal oppo-
sites. 1t is sin and shame for men
and WON protesting Christianity /"
spend money the way they do to CRAFTY
proud heart.
There are many evils in the land and
in the church, but doubt if any one
evil is doing more harm than pride. il
has stolen into the church by degrees,
and now rules with Il rod of iron.
Churches that were once noted IL,
plainness, and whose law still stands
against pride and fashion, are practically
powerless on the subject. The religion
OF Christ is pure, peaceable, gentle
easy to be entleated. and lull OF mercy.
All Christians are baptized with on''
Spirit into one body. They mind not
high things. but condescend to men OF
low estate Their highest ambition is ~
honor God with all they have ami are.
They are not pulled up. not contormeG
to this world. but transformed by thc
renewing of their minds. There Is No
such thing in HEAVIER or earth as proud
be. Pride is of the dewitt originated
with him; and he is managing It most
successfully in destroy ing souls.
But who is to blame for this state Of
things in the church, First and mostly:
the pulpit is to blame. Men who profess
to be called of God to lead people t.
heaven have ceased to rebukc this soui-
DESTROY ing, heaven provoking spirit. But
why? First for a living, then for popu>
laritv. Churches that were once power.
FIJI for good are now well nigh lost III
form and .tashion.
We may shut our eyes. and cry cold
fony.' and all that; but fact is before us
pride. ,fnshion md srtrocogancs are
eating the very life out of many of the
heretofore best congregations i'll the land.
The world is running crazy. The rich
lead the way because they can: while
the poor strain every nerve to keep III
sight.
Brother Gardner on ADJUSTMENTS.