The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1889-11-14
J. n. LOWELL ON RELIGION.

~ fear that when we indulge ourselves In
the amusement Bf going without religion,
we are not perhaps, aware how much we are
sustained at present by an enormous mass
all about us of religious feelings and religi-
ous convictions. so that, whatever Il may be
safe for us TO think--for us who have had
great advantages, and have been brought up
in such a way that certain moral direction
has been given to our character-l do not
know what would become of the less iav-
ored classes of mankind IL they undertook
to play the same game.
"Whatever defects and imperfrctions may
attach to few points of the doctrinal sys-
TEN of Calvin-thc bulk of which was SIM
ply what all Christians belevcd-it will he
found that Calvinism, or another ism which
claims an open Bible and procaims a CruCi-
fled and risen Christ, is infinitely prcfcra.
BILE tO any form Of polite and
polished skeptioism which gathers rs its
votaries the degenerated sons of heroic an
cestors who. having been trained IN IA So
ciety and educated in schools the founda.
tons of which were laid by men of faith
and picty, now turn aud kick down the
ladder by which they have climbed up, and
persuade men 10 live without God, and
leave them to die without nope,
"The worst kind Of religion Is no religion
NJ oil, and these men, living in ease and
luxury, indulgng themselves in the 'amusc-
ment OF going without religion may he
thankful that they live in lands where the
Gospel that they neglect has tanned the
bcastlincss and ferocity of the men who, but
for Christianity, might long ago have eaten
their carcasses like the South Sea Islanders,
or cut off their heads and tanned their hides
like the monsters of the French RevOlu-
ton. When the microscopic search of skcp-
ticism, which has hunted the heavens and
sounded the seas to disproyc the existence of
Creator, has turned its attention 10 human
society, and has found place on this planet
ten miles square, where Il decent man can
live in decenCy, comfort and security, sup
porting and educating his children un-
spoiled and unpolluted; place where age
~ reYeTenced infancy projected manhood
respected, womanhood hOnOred, and human
life held in due regard; when skeptiCs can
find such place ten miles square on this
globe where the Gospel of Christ has not
gone and cleared the way, and laid the fOun-
dation and made decency and security pos
sible, II will be In order for the skcptical lit
erati to move thither and shere Ycntilate
their views But rs long as fhese men are
dependent upon the religion which they
discard for every privilege they enjoy, they
may well hesitate little before they seek to
rob the Christian of his hope, and humanity
ofits faith In that Savior who alone has given
to man thai hope of life eternal which makes
life tolerabe and society possible, and robs
death Of its terrors and the grave OF its
gloom"
He that swells in prosperity will be sure to
shrink in adversely.
II is the best proof of the virtues of a fam.
lily circle to see happy hresde.
How few faults are there seen by us which
We have not ourselves committed.
With God caring for MS we are strong to
live; With God supporting US we are strong
! to die.
No human scheme can be so accurately
| projected but some little circumstance may
| intervene TO spoil it,
Let MS not mistake Gods goodness, nor Inn
| sgine because He smites US that we are for
' saken Of Him. Wake.