San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1885-08-27
SAN MARCOS COUNTY,
Profession Against Practice IN Religion

Profession Against Practice IN Religion.
(The communication which We copy
below shows up the short ,cmings Of
some protesting Christians in failing
to practice what they profess. We
have the name Of the writer, who we
learn is church-member, and is evi-
IDENTIFY profoundly in earnest 1t can
do no harm to thus suggest to pro-
fessors the vital Importance of reduc-
ing their professions to practice. ED.
FREE PREssI.
Ed. FREE Press: - It seems the
prophecy, MANY shall run to and fro,
and knowledge shall be increased :, is
being fulfilled. The struggle for su-
premacy in wealth and power is per
ceptible to all. In the last few years
the civilized world has become very
learned, especially, it seems, in Bib
lical truths. Everybody has become
theological, and is trying to teach ev-
erybody else how to become SO; and
the efforts q of many to elevate
themselves to higher sphere OF
thought and action are characterized
by many peculiarities and inconsis-
tencies. As it would require too
much space to name all, the most
prominent will be pointed out.
One is the excessive candor (now,
slangy people would call it "cheek' }
of some of.the religious. They give
their opinions of what the Bible
teaches as though they were infallible,
and if some of us mental weaklings
dare to doubt said opinions, we are
called fools, and the worst sinners.
Another class of professed Chris
tians belong to the Uriah Heep or.
der. Their excessive humility is pain
full. They are always ready to con-
fess their faults, but never amend
them. If you strike them on one
cheek, they turn the other = that is,
till they get chance to retaliate.
They are all things to all men, and
worse than nothing to God.
Another popularity of class OF
professors of Christ is their utter as
tonishment that sinners will contend
that they are better than many
church members, (Which is true, not
withstanding Sam Jones to the con-
trary), in spite of precept and exam.
pie. Have they not talked to, prayed
for and wept over these sinners, all
to no purpose? That was done on
Sunday. The following week was
spent in strategic movements in or
der to get some unfortunate creature
to do ten dollars worth OF work for
five dollars in trade. Now, if the la
borer refuses to accede to the unjust
demand, he is told that times are
hard, money scarce; yes, you had
better work for two-bits a day than
remain id,e-idle hands always find
mischief to do. God commands us
to work" These religious capitalists
do not "Do unto others as they wish
to be done BY. They give the des-
titute nothing except advice, or CEN
sure for their thriftless ways, and
very likely these same capitalists can.
not pay ten cents on the dollar of
their indebtedness but their property
is so tied up by law that their cred
itors cannot touch it. Some one will
soy this last named class of men have
good side to their characters-truly,
yes /; they give literally to foreign
missions (that will be published), at
tend Sunday-school and church reg
ularly, pay their preacher, and enter
tain him too, handsomely = always
killing the fatted chicken-all Of which
often obscures their shortcomings,
and causes the minister to exclaim,
" Brethren So-and-so are royal fel-
lows-tis pity there are not more
such" Ofcourse this eulogy is re-
peated to the liberal brethren-and
don't they feel good! Why, their
whole beings are enthused with love
for their own little selves.
"Live honestly, deal justly, show
mercy, Love God with all thy heart,
and thy neighbor as thyself,' should
be the motto of every professed Chris
tian.
Now, the professed Christians
among the women are often as incon-
sistent as the men. So much has
been said of the class that worship at
the shrine Of Fashion, that We need
not speak Of them. Suffice it to say,
their religion consists in superintend-
ing musical entertainments, suppers,
and 30 on, for the benefit OF the
church. Another popularity OF q
certain set Of women is, that they wor-
ship their creed instead of their ere
ator. Like porcupine, they are al
ways bristled up, ready for battle
Both the last named classes have one
good trait-they are never niggardly
about their preachers pay.
The most contemplate set OF fem
mime religionists is the avaricious
They will get the greatest amount OF
manual labor done for the least
amount Of pay land that in worn-out
garments); take in work that they
ought 10 let their poorer sisters have
pinch and scold at bone; never have
time to visit their sick neighborse
never read their Bible, nor anything
else; talk Of nothing but other peo-
pIeis sinS and believe Christianity