Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-03-18
For the sPECrATok.
Religion Enough.
s'NEAR THE CHURCH, BUT FAR FROM GOD,

stupenuous ana 1atal hlndrance to the glO
rious cause of Jesus Christ as the cultiva
ted conviction, now prevalent with the ma
jority of church members, that one cal
have Religion Enough.
| The predominance of SO frozen q belle
will forever blight all the Jealous effort.
that any minister may assiduously prose
cnte, because no proclamation can so com
pletely impede the success of the gospel as
this single proclaimed conclusion. There
cannot be a more grotesque idea, there new.
er will be more damnatory result. The
surprising revelation that revolving lepel
is Us congenial as an untainted believer
Thae gross assumption that detestable
Ihypocrite is as good as pure Christian
The amazing impudence that sneering
devil is tit companion for guileless an.
gel! The startling absurdity that loath-
some mop reonformer is equal to consist
ent worshiperY
Some might possibly have Religion
Enough to meagrely silence upbraiding con-
science when in questionable places or en-.
gagged in doubtful acts, but that is not
Enough to cancel their willful sins and to
take them heaven-for which Religion was
instituted and ordained to accomplish as
the great feat that should crown its delicate
birth, but illustrious mission.
Religion Enough to permit men to delib-
erately quote the most shocking oaths, but
not Enough to reprove them for diabolical
blasphemy.
Religion Enough to partially appease the
constant cravings of famishing soul, but
not Enough to redeem it to immortal life.
Religion Enough to allow them to be self
ish, prejudiced, and proud, but not Enough
to characterize them as effectual examples
for ungGdly sinners to initiate.
Religion Enough to attend church when
every surrounding is propitious, but not
Enough to make even the least sacrifice for
the cause they SO eagerly espouse.
Religion Enough to go through the con-
gregation and talk to others, but not Enough
to SO live both in and out of the church that
their marked devotion will constrain sinners
to follow Christ without a second invita-
ton.
Religion Enough to be screaming formal
lists, but not Enough to experience the hal
lowed influence enjoyed by those who pray
more in private than plead in public.
Religion Enough to invite ridicule upon
the cause of Christ by conspicuous demon
strations, but not Enough to silently i'm
plore others to seek redemption from the
frightful consequences of sin.
Religion Enough to single out a person
in an assembly and make him the subject
of deceitful entreaties, but not Enough to
control those same back-biting tongues
when at home.
Religion Enough to let one sit upright
during prayer, but not Enough to compel
the same person to kneel and earnestly
supplicate for more converting power with
in the church.
Religion Enough to shield man by the
shadow of holiness, but not Enough to de-
ny him the coveted privilege of defrauding
his fellow-man with impunity.
Religion Enough to make them admissi-
BILE to the communion table, but not
Enough to save their perjured souls from
an endless death after such dissertation.
Religion Enough to harshly condemn
ones most trivial faults, but not Enough
to cover those errors with unassuming
charity
Religion Enough to take mean advan-
tage of others, but not Enough to assist the
helplessly fallen.
Religion Enough to be a slick-tongue
dissembler, but not Enough to talk to poor
children if they are penitents, even though
they kneel at the same altar beside the
rich, and are as earnest in their desire to
know the way of eternal life.
Religion Enough to permit them upon
the least provocation to resent the most
harmless thought with their faces gleam-
ing with revenge, aglow with scorn, ablaze
with pride, and flushed with contempt, but
not Enough to exercise that brotherly for
bearance toward their weak fellow creature
that they claim to possess.
Religion Enough to abuse, but not
Enough to Glove thy neighbor as thyself."
n1. - I L.
| what they should be-sO false that they are
the very incarnation of intolerance, malice,
hatred, uncharitableness, hypocrisy, and
deceit.
The great, wide thoroughfare from the
golden gates of heaven to the burning
| depths of hell, is crowded with the warped
victims of Religion Enough.
| Oh, ye whited sepulchres, how shall you
escape the deep damnation justly await
ing you for such shameful mockery!
! AT the last day, the deep inner heart of
| those pretending apostles will be laid bare,
its dark corruption exposed, and their utter
falseness to the great underlying principles
Of Christianity proven.
1t is less arduouS to connect yourself
with the church than to be a successful SER
want Of Christ. Less of contemplate form
and more of heartfelt earnestness would
be highly commendable and productive of
greater good.
Vows may be easily assumed, but their
enjoined obligations are lasting. Thoughts
are decipherable, acts are transparent,
Judgment is searching, hell is uninviting
Many will find it too late to cry for plead
ing mercy when it is time for remorseless
judgment.
Religion Enough will be the hideous,
ghastly monster grinningly pointing it's
blistered fingers at the base acts of those
self righteous saints, and which will taunt
them with mocking accusations when
they have been damned to burning
perdition to commingle with the great
horde of dupes, hypocrites, and non-con-
formers which will comprise that number
less throng of demoniacal wretches, while
the besmutted walls of he'll re-echo with
their piercing lamentation, "for years were
we in the church, but now are we forever
out of heavenw God never intended that
the church should be shield to protect the
evil from the darts of His wrath or the
power of His anger.
AS only ''the pure in heart shall see God,
may the time soon come when devout
Christianity shall prevail, and all those
who profess to know Christ, shall know
Him in deed and in truth. P. A. Ross.