The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-02-23

enough, to be entitled to make such ex-
periments. Accordingly this is the les
son Church history tells: That these
nice inventions always lead to mischiefs
and corruptions their pious parents never
dreamed of. Nobody is wise enough ex-
cept God, to have right to set such
springs of moral and spiritual influence
flowing.
But the worst of the case is: that all
men are sinners. Good men have in
dwelling sin. Wise men have remains
of error. Hence, when these sinful hearts
are allowed to express themselves, and
their conceptions of God, in forms of
worship of their own device, they are al
ways liable to insert germs of their sin
and error in them. They do not mean
it: but they do it unavoidably without
meaning it.
Will-worship began very early in
Church history in the oblation of Cain
And think that this first specimen is as
apt and complete type of our modern
will-worship, as any that has ever happen
ed in the world 1t was by Gods express
ordinance, that believing sinners were
taught to approach him with the blood
and only with the blood, of living, clean
sacrifices. For Scripture tells us that
Abel offered his lamb "by faith" Faith
implies warrant. Hence Abel's faith
must have proceeded upon Gods com
mand and promise. Gen. iv: 8, 4, we
are told that cat the end of days"
doubtless at the Old Testament Sabbath J
Z" Abel brought of the frstlings of his
flock and of the fat thereof. Cain
brought of the fruit of the ground an
offering unto the Lord" Now, think
L can almost hear Cain arguing, in the
very strain of your modern will-worship-
per. "Abel; my invention is much the
most tasteful and reasonable. Don't YOU
profess to think the Lord a benevolent
being? Well, you cannot please Him
by killing an innocent little lamb He
does not love the smell of blood. And
you are actually going to burn the fat
and flesh of the poor little thing: and
make that horrid, black smoke, and
that loathesome smell of burnt flesh {?
Fly, man it is barbarousl Why, yours
is the theology of the SHAMELESS You
offend the reason and the aesthetic
faculty. Now, look at my plan. I
don't make any sentient, innocent thing
suffer; not /. only gather of my fl uits
and flowers, what pleases every sense,
and l group them in forms of beauty.
Look at these miniature sheaves of gold.
en- grain, reposing on this gorgeous base
of rosy apples, and blushing peaches, and
purple grapes, and festooned with gar
lands of roses and lilies. Isn't it a sweet
thing? [ like an aesthetic worship it
is so refining. God has not enjoined
it, you say? What of that? I'm sure
there can't be any harm in my roses and
lilies; [ am not such crusty, bigotted
puritan as that; thank heaven" etc, etc.
etc.
"But the Lord had respect unto Abel
and his offering; but unto Cain and his
offering he had not respect" There was
the issue of that will-worship. And it
seems to have turned out that the Lord
Judged right, for Cain soon disclosed a
temper and malice most thoroughly
"un@sthetic, unrefned, and also ire
igious." And, from that day to this,
will-worshippers seem to show prone
ness to the same ugly traits, in spite of
the beautiful appropriateness" of their
inventions.
But the most conclusive teaching of
Church history is in these general facts.
In many parts of the world, religious SER
vice, so called, has become deformed with
human inventions which none will denv
to be corruptions, who read their Bibles.
Now, probably every one of these i'll
starred additions was the invention at
first, of eminently pious people, and was
advocated at first with pious motives, and
plausibly pious arguments. Take incense
in churches No doubt the good BODY
who began that, argued thus: There
cannot be harm in sweet odors. Certain