The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-11-15
MOCKER Y.

CeSSlul uecepClOn. OmnlSclence cannot be
imposed upon. But in the more modern
sense the very opposite is true. God is
Knocked to a fearful extent throughout
nominal Christendom. Nothing more
clearly illustrates his forbearance than
the amount of hollow worship and service
that is continually offered up on his
sacred affairs. The days have long ago
come, predicted by the Son, when those
who worship the Father are required to
worship him in spirit and in truth. But
if any one will soberly estimate the de-
gree of spiritual worship rendered by
the Church at this day, it will appear
insignificant compared with its formal
expression in our public services. We
Judge of this fact as we do of everything
else in society, appealing only to the out
ward phenomena which must be our
guide. We cannot read the heart, but
If the external evidence is wanting, no
one has right to complain of an inter
probation that depends upon it. The
tree is known by its fruit.
The simpler forms OF worship have
this advantage over an elaborate ritual.
that the spirit of the worshippers is more
apparent. In churches where the ex.
preston of devotion is spontaneous, it is
difficult to maintain the mere appearance
of interest. Nevertheless under all forms
there may be vast amount of the out
ward show of worship without its power,
and we fear the omniscient eye detects far
too much Of it in our most solemn assem-
bles. We do not exclude ourselves, for
there is a deep consciousness in us all
that our nearest approaches to God are
marked by heartlessness and selfshness
OF which we have reason to be ashamed.
The direct purpose OF hooking God
may not be charged against any sincere
Christian, yet by deceiving ourselves we
may often be guilty of offering strange
fire on his altar. Any act of worship,
unaccompanied by devout and intelli-
gent consideration Of its nature, is
mockery in reality. How much of our
prayers and praise must therefore be of
that character And when we remem-
Der the irreverence Of manner and atti-
tude observable in the demeanor of many
who join in religious services, the i'm
preston is unavoidable that little, if any,
of that spirit of worship animates the
heart
Not only is this deplorable hollowness
apparent in our exercises of devotion,
but there is often a false zeal assumed
which is equally offensive in the sight of
heaven. Men often imagine they are
contending earnestly for the truth, when
in fact they are contending for victory in
discussion, or for some hobby of opinion,
or for the indulgence of spleen or resent
ment. They may be cold and indiffer-
ent towards great errors and alarming
evils, but are easily reused to exertion to
contradict a rival or expose the weak
ness Of brother. Much of the earnest
ness we observe is of this self-seeking
character, and by it the Almighty is
Knocked with false semblance of zeal for
his honor.
This mockery is further noticed in a
shameful show of liberality which is in
reality sham. Honor the Lord with
thy substance, and with the first fruits of
all thine increase, is the precept upon
which many profess to act, and yet the
amount thus consecrated is often mere
pittance compared with that which is de-
voted to self-indulgence. "Will man
rob God? Yet ye have robbed me in
tthes and offerings" It's great mock
cry when those who have the means Of
spending much of their lives in pleasure
hunting, endeavor to satisfy conscience
by frequent contributions of little sums,
out Of all proportion to their annual in
comes, to the objects OF Christian benevo-
lence.
These facts are profoundly humbling,
and render the forbearance Of God sig
nally conspicuous in continuing to bless
his people notwithstanding the provoca-
tons Of so much hollow service. The
attitude Of the Church ought to be one
Of lowly confession, in view of its con-
slant delinduencies No bodv If Chris