St. Landry democrat., 1889-07-06
The Commandments of Men.

Pity the fra1l-Weep DER their fall,
But speak Of good, or not at all.
The Commandments of Men.
There is but one Law giver recognized
in the divine administration. He is able
to save and to destroy. His law is per-
feet, converting the soul, and it is the
basis of all moral action. Whoever gives
heed to His law will find himself in line
with divine providence and divine grace.
Whoever disregards His law, however
easy and pleasurable the present conse-
quences may be, will find in the end that
he has made great mistake.
And yet this mistake is continually
being made, not only by those who openly
reject and defy divine authority, but by
those who profess to be servants of God,
and to obey his precepts. In multitude
of instances people who profess to be ser
wants of God, and who, it may be, really
think that they are serving the Lord, are
doing, not the things which God COM
mands. but the things which men say that
he commands; their fear toward God
being taught not by his own precepts, but
the commandments of those who claim to
be his servants, but who often prove
themselves unworthy of the title.
The truth of God, planted in the world,
is not system which any man can mould
and fashion to his own liking. On the
contrary, it rests upon written records
given by divine inspiration, and preserved
by the vigilance of thu church and the
providence of God, and handed down
from age to age as the priceless heritage
of true believers. And it is the business
of those who would serve the Lord, to dill
igently search these records, to learn
what he would have them do, and by a
knowledge of his written word and
revealed will, so prepare themselves that
their service may be acceptable in his
sight.
Instead of doing this, in very many in
stances the practice seems to oe simply to
obey the commandments of men, heed
what others say, and do what others do.
This practice is fraught with danger. No
man can bear the responsibility of anoth-
er's acts. No man can be saved for another
man no man can be condemned for anoth-
er. The man who desires to rule and di-
rect the conduct of others, does not under
take to bear their responsibilities. If they
go wrong, it is at their own peril. If they
make mistakes they must bear the conse-
quences. If they chose the wrong path,
they must wander in darkness. If they
break the Lords commandments they
must receive the Lords condemnation.
For if the blind shall lead the blind, what
hope is there for them; do not they both
fall into the ditch2
Hence the necessity of personally search
ing the Scriptures, of personally 1ekin 6
to know the will of God, and SO withdraw
ing ourselves from human influence and
control, that like Enoch we may walk with
God, dad have witness that our ways
please Him, and SO stand at last approved
in his sight.
1t is not enough for the Christian that
he do the things which others have pre-
scribed it is not enough that he follow
the example Which others have set. He
must be himself in communion and COM
munication with the Heavenly Father. He
must know for himself that his ways
please God and he must ever keep his
mind in an attitude so prayerful and so
teachable, that he can hear what God the
Lord would say to him, and learn the
things which God would have him know.
There are multitude of people who,
looking abroad upon the discords and
strifes which have rent the Church OF
Christ, content themselves with taking
this one or that as spiritual guide, and
giving themselves no further trouble in
the premises. But their fear of God seems
certainly to be caught by the command
ments of mems They have settled the
matter entirely too easily. They have not
learned to love the law which is holy and
just and good. They have not taken as
the man of their counsel that Word which
is quick and powerful, and sharper thar
any two edged sword.
It would surprise many people it they
should stop to consider how little of theil
faith or their practice is really founded or
the living Word of God, and how much
there is Of it which has simply the sanction
of the traditions and customs and the com
mandments of men. But in the great day
of accounts all this will be but hay, woot
and stubble, and every man shall give al
account of himself, not to priest, or pas.
tor, or pope, or teacher, but to God, thu
Author of his being.
Let those who desire to abide that day
see to it that their faith stand not in thu
wisdom of men, but in the power of God
that their fear toward God is taught no
| by the commandments of men, but by thu
word of God.
It is not difficult for men to know thu
right way but when they persist in doins
and requiring others to do things which
| God has never commanded when they SO
the authority of councils, and canons, ant
conferences, and creeds, above the decree
Of eternal truth when they will judge an'
condemn and reject men who do not &C
knowledge such unauthorized standards
and cast out those who in humbleness ant
lowliness are following the Lord, simpl..
because they follow not with them hoy
can such persons expect to be taught ant
guided by the Holy Spirit
If any man really desire to do God
will, he shall know of the doctrine. 1t i
not SO difficult to learn the right way. Blu
4 If men deliberately refuse to walk in tn
| light SO far as they have seen it, if the
4 reject the counsel of God in SO far as it ha
been made known to them If they accep
the commandments of men in things wher
God has clearly spoken if they, througl
fear of mems reproach or scorn or blame
turn from the holy commandments of God
how can they expect to be taught an
guided, since they have turned to thei
own ways?
Let the Church Of Christ lift up til
prayer for guidance and help, and let eac
individual Christian seek to know the wi
of God, and follow it as fast and as far q
it is known and then He who has prom
ised the meek in judgement, will guide u
by his counsel in this world, and aftel
wards receive us to glory in the world G
life and joy. eternal. The Armory.
| -&~s-
sWho'd Bin 'er z"
A lady living in Ohio is the mother {
six boys. One day friend calling on ht
said s.What pity that one Of yor
,,,ys had not been a girl" One of I'll