Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-22
@eadiua fur the gabbath.
CONDUCTED By S
REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
lOrlginal ]
INCONSISTENCIES.

Every one has, if not clear, certainly a
practical notion of what is meant by the word
consistent, and its opposite, inconsistent.
Consistency is said to be jewel. Ifso, then,
inconsistency must be whatever is the opposite
of jewel. r The life Of every one is'full of
inconsistencies. No man is free from them.
The inconsistencies, however, of some persons
are so we'll concealed that they are rarely
seen; while the Inconsistencies of others are
the only things by which they are enabled to
preserve themselves from sinking into hopeless
obscurity. Inconsistencies are generally very
sinful in their nature. Some are of rare oc-
currence, while others are witnessed every
day. Of this latter kind may be specified
First. Sabbath breaking by professed Chris
tians. If there is one thing more than any
other which distinguishes truly pious man
from mere professor of religion, it is the OBJ.
servance of the Sabbath. A community
without Sabbath would indicate commu.
nifty without any evangelical piety. God in
stituted the Sabbath and commands all men
to keep it holy unto him. 1t was given to
man for various purposes. 1t is q day of rest
to the laboring man and beast. 1t is more
than this, It was designed by God as day
in which the soul might engage in pious re-
Elections and contemplations to the exclusion
of all worldly business and pursuits. Under
New Testament dispepsation, the Sabbath is
designed to be observed in commemoration Of
the resurrection of Jesus Christ. All the acts
of professed Christians, on that day, should
be in harmony with such commemoration
tits inconsistent. with professed Christians to
devote the Sabbath to worldly sports, recrea-
tions, or business, lawful and right on other
days. 1t is inconsistent for professed Chris
tians to engage in idle talk or in reading Sec
ular books, or in visiting, or anything else
not in harmony with the nature and design
of the Sabbath.
Second. 1t is inconsistent in professed
Christians to be continually in difficulty
with some one. The religion of Jesus Christ
is peaceable religion. When Jesus made
his will he bequeathed to his people peace.
"My peace I give unto you, he says. Again,
Christians are commanded to alive in peace" }"
and Ito live peaceably with all men," When
Jesus was born angels shouted, "Peace on
EARTH" God delights in peace, and good
men delight in it. Satan revels in war. He
hates peace.
Is it not, then, very inconsistent for those
who profess to be the followers of Him who
came into the world to establish peace, to be
continually wrangling and quarreliug? Is
this following Jesus? Whoever heard of
Him engaging in petty feudsi Did He ever
keep neighborhood in a broil There are
no quarrelings, no contentious, no strifes, in
Heaven. Itis all peace there, and we must
become peaceable before We will be admitted
to that abode of peace. Five minutes peace
has in it more enjoyment for the soul than
whole lifetime of contention.
Jesus Christ is appropriately called the
King of Peace. Would it not be strange
thing if his subjects were all wranglers? !?
What strange sight a peaceable king ruling
over subjects who we're continually quarreling
would present! In such sight demons
would rejoice.
Is it not inconsistent for those who worship
in the same sanctuary, kneel at the same al
tar, eat at the same table, and call each other
brother, to be continually at strife? DO they
suppose that this is one of the many ways by
which they may exhibit the love of God in
their hearts? If they do they are surely de-
luded. No one ever taught that quarreling
was any part of Christianity. To quarrel is
unbecoming man and inconsistent with eve
ry principle of Christianity.
Third. 1t is not consistent with the nature
of Christianity for an individual to live under
the power of the gospel, and at the same time
live prayerless life. One of the evidences
that was given of the conversion of Paul was
that he prayed. 1t is strange as well as in.
consistent that there are so many who profess
to be Christians that do not pray. 1t is fact
greatly to be deplored that only few of the
multitude who profess to be people of God,
even formally worship him in private They
are content to permit the ministers OF the
gospel to do all the praying.
This is surely strange. God commands us
to ask and he will give. We rarely hesitate
to ask our friends for favors, especially if we
know that they are able and willing to give
US what we need. Professed Christians claim
that God is their friend. They know that he
isable and willing to give them every good
and perfect gift. Why not ask him for those
blessings which we need Are not our pray
erless lives inconsistent with our professions
There are many other inconsistencies which
might be mentioned. One more will suffice
for the present. II is surely very inconsistent
in a professed Christian to be continually vic.
lating the law and order of the particular
church with which he or she stands connect
ed. Such course is full of perverseness.
Some persons seem to think that it is an evil
dence of greatness or smartness to give other
persons trouble. They join the church,
promise to obey the laws and then proceed
forthwith to trample the law Of Gods house
under their feet. Bad men and evil spirits