Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-02-23
Practical RELIGION.


torial in the Christian Union, pointedly
says upon this subject
OF all forms of selfshness religious sell
tishness is the most subtle. Religion we
count as possession. We "get religion"
1t is something that bslorgs to US. We
pay for it world here, for heaven hereaf-
ter so much premium down, so much in
surance hereafter repentance to-day, re.
ward tomorrow. Perhaps we even get
our reward now then we call it "pres-
emit salvation" Sc feel to say, brethren,
that enjoy my religion" What differ
ence does it make whether you do or
not? Do other people enjoy it? Does
your wife enjoy it? Do your children en-
Joy it 3? Do your servants enjoy it? Does
your neighbor enjoy it Does the man on
the other side of the counter enjoy it?
These are the real questions. Religion
was not given you to enjoy it was gwen
you to work with. What are you doing
with it?
am inclined to think that Little Jack
Horner is parable that he was Sunday
worshiper who went to church and sat in
a luxurious pew, thermometer outside
zero, thermometer inside summer heat
that he shut out the world, including his
coachman, who sat outside wondering
when his employers devotions would be
over; that he was exhilarated by the
prayers, soothed by the music, inspired by
the sermon, and came out, after an hour
and half of religious magnetizing, saying
to himself "What good boy am II"
There is no more religion in going to
church for enjoyment than in going to a
fOr nd ha 4rryrN
are sometimes much alike. 1t is very
pleasing TO have our sensibilities stirred.
We are all willing to pay the man-actor
or preacher-who will make US laugh or
make US cry, and most Of US like better to
cry than to laugh. The true function of
the preacher is to make US do; but that is
quite another matter.
What do you 60 to church for? To
worship God? Well, what do you worship
God for? Cai bono Is it not that by
reverencing Him you may become like
Him? Is 1t not that an hours companion
ship may lead you into life fellowship?
If not, what do you think God thinks of
your worship? How do you think He
measures the man who goes up to church
every Sunday to say reverently; go, sir,
and then every Monday goes not What
is the use of hearing sermons about self.
denial if you never deny yourself? Or let
me change the form of the question.
What good do you get from going to
church? Are you more patient with your
children? Are you more conEiderate to
your servants? Are you more just in your
dealings? Do you take the Golden Rule
with you to your store Monday m ,rnings
Or do you leave it in the church to look at
next Sunday?
1t would be very strange if God had
given us one day for religion and six days
for secular life, as some people seem to
think. No no! He has given US one day
to learn the theory of religion, ard six
days to practice it. So he puts emphasis
on the importance of practice. The object
of the church on Sunday is only to give
you true concert pitch the week is given
you to play your tune in. The plainest
practical preacher becomes interesting if
you will only take MIN Alright. Listen to
his sermon as to practical counsel from
personal friend how to live; then try his
plan for a week, and come next Sunday to
report to yourself how his principles work.
The church has wasted a woeful lot of
time in discussing rituals. Shall we pray
WIN d DOOh VI WiSbOub VI
standing? by minister's aid, or silently
for ourselves? Drop these debates for a
month, and try James ritual "Pure re-
ligion, and indebted before God and the
Father is this: To visit the fatherless and
widows in their affection, and keep him.
self unspotted from the world" If one
practices this ritual through the week, it
does not make much difference what his
Sunday ritual may be. Practice makes
perfect. There is great cutlery just now
for better preachers. What the church
really needs is better practitioners and
every reader of this article can do some
thing to supply that field.