The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-03-26
Communicated.
For the vrRGrS1AS.

Why is it that among professors OF re
ligion there is SO much vain conversation
idle. worldly gossip-so much evil speak
ing and back biting and lying--so mucn
consciousness. suspicion and condemnlng
The answer comes quite natufaily anu
easily. 1t is because there exists so little
real Chrjst-like goodness in those who pro-
fess it. Why is it that there is so little OF
the meekness and gentleness of Christ, OF
the spirit of charity, kindness and for
bearance, the taking the low place, the re
fusal to join others in hurting the missile, |
in uncovering the infrmity and in intlam-
ing the.wounds of others 1t is because
multitudes who. though protesting Ills
name. have no clt Sc, heart transactions
with Jesus. The more closely you deal
with yourself, the less inclination and
time you will have to deal with others.
Now, if the telling of falsehoods bv
those who profess and call themselves
Christians is not in direct opposition TO
scripture. and an open violation of every
principle of Christianity. there is not any
thing that is, for it is written that all liars
must be cast into the lake of ire ana
birthstone Now the characters referred
to are those peopleswho are noted Tor ex-
ternals Of piety, but who have none OF the
Intervals of it. People who you will see
marching off to chapel as rellglously us
possible, or going to church as devoutly
and demurely as they can, looking as SOM
bre and serious as parish-beadles, and
fancying that they are quite sure to be
saved although. their hearts are not in the
Observation-Disclosures bodies. They
have no grace, no life, no Christ: and AS
soon as they leave the church they COM
mence talking.about and fmagnifying the
faults of others-provokingl others to
wrath and making them sin when perhaps
thew WOULD mot. M Hence, the characters,
that here speak Of, may be justly termed
stumbling sblocks1and lrocksIof. offense.
Now. in conclusion. is this behaving as
christian people should Is it not the.duty
of christians to set good example for sim
ners, and to try to get them to forsake I'M
Righteousness Indeed it is But, in
SCGdu Vi ILLS. tuCy eAy W push oAASAa INV
deeper sin, it seems, by treating them
badly;in every respect, shape and form.
And such conduct then. as the above, on
the part of professors of religion, as they
call themselves, has a very demorallzlng
effect on sinners, for they say directly
these religious people are no better than
others, why should We go amongst them.
And they say quite rightly lis but COM
mon sense Judgment. Now, you who pro-
fess and call yourselves christians, let men
but see that your conduct is superior to
others then they will believe there is
something ini.syour religion but if your
walk and conduct is not in accordance
with your profession, the wayfaring man,
though fool, will believe you to be just
what you area hypocrite and deceiver,
ayolf in sleeps clothing, and according
to scripture. coin that will not ring in
that great day that marks the end OF
earthly time. Though you may, like the
Scribes and Pharisees of old, wear long
face and for pretense make long prayers
to be heard of men, it will avail not for
not all that sayeth Lord, Lord, shall be
saved, but he that doeth the will OF my
Father who art in Heaven.