Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-06-07
Religious department.
CONFESSION.

IL "NhiiS b'ttiibS W COIL SoS Oo'
wrong-doing only that we may escape
present trouble. This was precisely
Pharoah's case. When sorely afflicted
throughout his realm, he acknowledged
his sin against God in order that the
dreadful scourge might he taken away.
There is no genuine confession at all
when it is eXtorted from us. More
than this, that would not be merci-
full provision which would sanction it /;
because the guilty soul would thus
misapprehend both the divine elem
ency and its own depaved nature.
Human society accepts this as true,
and acts accordingly. There would
be no protection anywhere in society
if the culprit were released from pris-
on upon the ground of his confession.
To enjoy his guilty freedom once
more, he would hasten to pay such
an insignificant price. He would
have no just sense of the motives
which prompted forgiveness on such
grounds neither would his release
under these circumstances do any
thing to favor heart reformation. The
whole process would be hardening,
and would prove most disastrous, both
to himself and the entire common
wealth.
Are not the same principles to be
observed in the higher realm? Rightly
viewed, the sinner himself could not
ask forgiveness on mere confession.
He would see how such deliverance
must leave him in bondage still how
old propensities would soon lift again
their voice of command; how moral
disease would still enervate and de-
stroy. The power given through
Christ's cleansing blood would be
wholly denied him, because his desire
to avoid the consequences of sin is
selfish is destitute of the semblance
of godly contrition.
1t is important to inculcate these
principles, not only in the formative
period of childhood and youth, but
among all classes, and at every stage
of religious advancement. Confess
ion is nothing if it is not the volunta-
ry outbursting of the deepest fount
aims of the heart. Have we broken
our religious vows? Have we gone
away from Gods holy shrines to speak
an uncharitable word, or by signfi-
cant gesture to despise weak broth
er whom Christ has sought along the
l rugged mountain sleeps. only to save
| Have we ever listened in silence, with
; out lnterposing in behalf of the in
| jured innocence, when piety has been
condemned before the ungodly world
All! right 1t is that questions of such
4 serious import should claim our
> thought. Who is there that does not
e need to ask, what has been my con-
q fession? has it always godly contrlte-
: ness? Has it, in view of my grievous
v sin against God, brought me down il
j the valley of self-renunciation?
If there is one thing more than an.
e other that needs special unfolding
= in this age it is the divine truth con.
:. corning confession. God accepts nc
e poor substitute, though, in our self
s complacency, we may fancy he does
o He asks for-demands, indeed-" trutl
e in the inward parts" Any thing les.
is offensive, is worthless, in His sight
IS 1t may be that we bring an offering
d costly, meritorlous, in our own es
al teen. The observing world ma,
5, even applaud US for our snowy up
;. rightness. But God detects the alb
J. sence of the one essential quality tina
re makes confession genuine, namely
the sense of si'a-sin against Himself