The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-07-20
For the Central Presbyterian.

When young people begin to expert
ence some interest in religious exercises,
it is sometimes observed that they mani
fest great indecision in the matter of
choice between different denominations.
1t is discreditable to parents that so
many of our youth ale found unsettled
on such question. Not unfrequently a
whole family is divided among several
churches, and there is little concert, or
sympathy, or spiritual communion, be-
tween father and mother, brothers and
sisters, and even husbands and wives.
One great cause of this huctuation,
and these separations, is the low estimate
placed by some professors of religion upon
church doctrines and principles. They
look at the subject in cold, ignorant,
superficial way, and come to regard such
questions as matters of mere personal
taste. Hence young people under these
influences survey the different denomina-
lions as objects of a perfectly free choice,
and never think of inquiring whether
God and the Bible has anything to do
with it. Under these circumstances, the
slightest impression of influence, associa-
ton, or suggestion will suffice to deter
mine the selection. The common plea
is, 81 like such or such church, and
think will connect myself with it"
The young clerk or mechanic chooses
church where his most intimate as
sociates attend. The young aspirant to
social elevation chooses another in which
ne hopes to rise above his present level
But to sober, intelligent, and spiritual
mind, such conduct must appear ex-
tremely frivolous and devoid of principle.
Observation teaches us that the youth
OF this class are especially liable to be
entrapped by highzchurch pretensions.
This is the very material that swells the
ranks of exclusive denominations. 1t is
the unwary fly that falls into the meshes
of the insidious spider. To such Him
formed and unsuspicious people, the ar
gument of the proselyter is overwhelm-
ing. "You acknowledge as we do lot
acknowledge yob; the safest course is to
come over to our side" In this way
the Romish whale is constantly swai-
lowing vast numbers of the little fish
that come in its way. In this way the
Episcopal and Baptist denominations
acquire large accessions from our ranks.
The remedy is obvious-more atten-
ton to family training-more cultiva-
ton OF religious intelligence-more en-
phasis upon religious principle-more
faithful incubation of distinctive doc
trine. Presbyterians should not be BIZ
goted and exclusive. On the other hand,
Presbyterians should not manifest in
difference. We claim for our Church a
more complete scriptural doctrine, more
apostolic system of church government,
and mode of worship more nearly con-
formed to primitive usage than other
evangelical denominations can show.
If these claims are well-founded, a man
or woman of intelligence and character
will not lightly abandon them.
This custom, of choosing o. church.
must be discountenanced. There is but
one true church, and no denomination is
that church. AS to what particular
division we shall associate with, that is a
question for conscience enlightened by
the word and spirit of God. 1T should
be settled on principle, not by con-
venience or accident, and due regard
ought to be paid to family precedents
Abraham is expected to order his house
hold after him" J. A. w.