Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-05-16
For the SPECTATOR.
RELIGION AS A CLOAK.


The devil always builds a chapel there"
In our comment upon this glaringly
prominent and equally neglected sub
ject, we may have occasion to define the
various objects and propositions contin-
but we will not indulge in q long, ex-
planatory, apologetic proem for any,
thing we may write, for we shall ad-
here strictly to the truth to give empha
sis to our utterances, and take living
and accountable beings as our examples
for criticism. Many able ministers
have often indirectly referred to this
gilded evil, but always in measured
terms, perhaps for fear Of wounding the
feelings of some favorite in the congre
cation, or influential member who con-
tributes literally to their salary but as
we have neither of these impediments
% encounter, we will not be chary
Wit our sentences, nor restricted in our
terse ,1elineation. It is q monstrous
and epl e. 'ious sacrilege, and no express
sion ia too s,>vere to employ for its con-
demnation. or use for its utter eradica.
tion. We shall christen and deslg-
nate all such clio thed and secret Of
tenders as acting Christians. No matter
what precautions may have been taken
or howsoever we'll defended, the persons
who wear Religion as a Cloak are in ev.
cry church upon the globe; around
every family altar; In every social cir
Gle; in every vessel upon the oceans,
and in every phase of secular business,
and who have no consistency in their
profession, neither respect for their
word, nor fear for the future of their
soul. There is not an evil in the
endless catalogue of black, augmented
crimes that Is its equal, and with
which the church has to struggle and
contend, for it enters and permeates
every portion of the hall0wed sane.
tuary, unstintingly dispensing it's bias
phemous influence over all until Its
apostatiziug effect is felt by every mem
ber. No departure contributes so large
ly to the injury of Christianity, and the
final destruction of humanity, as this
one stupendous and expanding mock
ery-a sham and deceitful adherence to
and professed interest in a cause instia
tuted and ordained by the agonizing
suffering and ultimate shedding of the
precious blood of Christ! How many
of the most enthusiastic and apparently
earnest and devoted church members OF
the present day wear Religion as
Cloak to conceal their distorted and de-
praved selves from open rldlcule and
shame! How many acting-Christians
before each meal take their indispensa~
BILE drink of Intoxicating liquor! quiet
ing upbraidiDg conscience and the con-
demniDg voice Of their better nature by
pleading some fancied c0ntagion-yes
they have a malaria, one which will
mark them In time and doom them in
eternity. How many acting Christians
during the calm secrecy of the mid
night hour visit the brilliantly illumi-
mated billiard-room, ten-pin alley, card
table, and mingle promiscuously in the
enticing stream of vice and reeking
haunts of wickedness! If found out
they seek to excuse themselves upon
the plea that they were there only for
idle amusement and to see who else were
there and, indignant at the accusation,
haughtiIy refer to their prominent con-
nection with some certain church to
prove their innocence and vindica'e
their high standard of morality and
virtue Are they not using the dark
ness, as we'll as Religion, as q Cloak, to
hide their inward depravity and out
ward debauchery? How many acting,
Christians satisfy every passion and
whim of appetite by indulging in those
vices which stlfie and crush out all
within them that is noble and manly
How many acting Christians sought
pardon and proclaimed redemption In
order solely to subserve some personal
aim, or to gain position, prominence,
and influence, which otherwise were
impossible to secure! How many act
ing. Christians are silently and hourly
pening an avenue which will eventu
ally sink their own name and ruin
their reputation, and alike lower their
children into the very depths of pauper-
ism, disgrace, and degradation, which
will stigmatize them long after they 60
down to their graves in contemplate
obscurity! How many acting Chris
tians, for sordid consideration, would
falsely take advantage of his neighbor,
or his own brother! How many act
Christians swear upon the least
provocation How many acting Chris
tians, in the heat of passion or IN the
excitement of conversation, use blood.
curdling oath to give force and weight
to their remarks! How many acting.
Christians traduce the good name OF
their bosom associates, malign their
motives, and viIify their designs, so