The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-11-02
Some Causes of Unspirituality
in our Churches.
BY SANDAL-WooD.

1t is recognized fact, exciting both
comment and anxiety, that there is lack
of spiritual advancement in our churches,
and the more spiritually -minded are in
curing into the causes for this state of
lethargy. 1t is subject calling for grave
inquiry and reflection
A foremost cause may be found in the
unreserved intermingling of church mem
bers with the society of the world. The
church, according to the divine purpose,
are those who are called out from the
world. 1t is, perhaps, the rule now that
those who profess Christ make no surren-
ders whatever in. the direction of their
associates. What they were in their sur
roundings before their profession they
continue to be after their union with the
church. In this respect they are not as
the apostles and early disciples. The
primitive Christians were much together,
and drew line of sharp distinction be-
tween themselves and the world.
Young women, who are church mem
bers, too commonly encourage the society
of young men whose lips are foul with
tobacco and drink, and fouler still with
blasphemies, and all of whose habits lead
them away from the church and all use
of the means of grace. A pastor visiting
such young women, and warning them Of
their neglect of duty and the danger in.
Cured by reason Of their associates, is met
by the prompt and candid reply that
they prefer the companionship Of the gay
and fashionable that dancing and world
amusements contribute much more to
their happiness than any association of a
Christian character.
What they freely confess is also the
creed and practice of multitudes whose
names are on our church records. And
with the other sex the same is largely
true. Though IN the church they do not
seek those who are Of the church. Their
intimacies are with those who are sat
urated and inspired by the spirit and
enthusiasts of the world Young men,
bearing the name Of Christians, associate
intimately with those who know nothing
of salvation from sin, but whose lives
are the grasping activities of utter selfish
ness.
You may cast your coloring, blue as
heaven, into the middle of the public
highway, and it will ere long assume the
hues of the common earth; and so the
Christian characteristics soon melt away
into the every day earthliness when there
is no sharp separation, jealousy MAIN
tanned, between those who are of the
church and those who are of the world.
The Bible testimony on this subject is
clear and explicit.
Another cause, hindering spiritual adj
vancement, and we think growing out,
at least in part, of the preceding TACT, is
restIe8sneSs IN the ministry. Illustrations
of this fact have Of late been too sadly
notorious. The candidates who swarm
to almost any vacant church which can
give more than half support is q dis
tressing demonstration in this direction.
The OtariUarj Of Napoleon Bonaparte's
day represented the precarious position
Of the great captain and Emperor by
picture Of his royal parsonage, poised as
a gymnast upon tight-rope, holding in
his hand balancing pole, with which
he amused himself cracking off the
crowns Of European sovereigns, who were
smartly trying to dodge his well aimed
blows some feet beneath the rope upon
which the conqueror was deity striving
to maintain his balance. That scene