The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-02-05
WALKING WITH GOD.
Religion In Social and Business Life-Th'
Inspired Role.

WAlkIN1 WI n 1OOs
Religion In Social and Business Life-The
Inspired Role.
The social aspect of life, in connection
with which Enoch, contemporary with
Adam for more than three hundred
years, maintained high standard Of
religious character and conduct, claims
the most careful attention. He walked
with God" at home and in society, amid
the duties and enjoyments of domestic
and public life. 1t was in the bosom of
his family that he habitually preserved
the most delightful intercourse with
Heaven. He married earlier than any
of his patriarchal brethren, and he had
sons and daughters. before whom he
walked in godly integrity. In his
household there was lovely example
of domestic piety. Its counterpart
should oftener be seen. More of it is
manifestly desirable at the present day.
The obvious want of it is greatly to be
ieplored on every hand.
Nothing is further from the truth than
that solitude is necessary to piety.
Enoch did not retire from human socie-
ty or live the life of recluse in order
to become commercially pious; but he
retained his place in growing family,
with all its cares and tolls, sanctifying
household experience with household
religion. The piety of seclusiOn is one
of the errors Of superstition, which has
doubtless been productive of vast
amount of mischief, imposed upon the
world in the name of religion. Those
who are followers of God as dear chill
dren' are called to so,iality. He whose
they are, and whom they should serve,
has said to them: "Ye are the light of
the world" ''Let your light so shine
before men that they may see your good
works and glorify your Father which is
Heaven" These inspired teachings
distinctly inculcate the social principle
as requisite to the proper service of God.
While seclusion is not essential to
godliness, but Numerically opposed
thereto, it is equally true that consecra-
ton to God does not injuriously inter-
fere with what properly belongs to social
life. The wise man has said: "The
righteous is more excellent than his
neighbor." He makes the best associate.
pure religion" is eminently adapted to
adorn the various relations Of life, as
found in the different ranks of human
society. 1t is, indeed, poor recon-
mendation of any persons religion that
better member of the family or the
social circle is not thereby made. In
proportion as true piety is possessed it
will make better husbands, better wives,
better parents, better children, better
every thing. Well might an inspired
apostle say: Goodness is profitable
unto all things" 1t is of universal
serviceableness Very properly did Da.
vid Hume, the philosopher and his.
torian, say: "Look out for people en-.
tirely void of religion; and if yon find
them at all, be assured that they are
only few degrees removed from
brutes."
Enoch's piety was not unsocial or iso
lated, but it had to do With human in
tercourse, and it was carried with him
into all the walks and ways Of life. He
was a religious man everywhere. lr
worldly business, as well as in acts O.
worship, he walked with God" Thus
he did not fail to be man of business
integrity. So he would not be likely t.
turn out an extortioner or defaulter
He could be trusted in bank or post
office without fear of his being con
cerned in entertainments and pecula
tons. 1t would manifestly be a vast in,
provement in the business world If al
who profess religion were found walk
ing with God in all their secular con
Germs and transactions. Let all the buy
ing and selling and exchanging an
manufacturing and negotiating and al
the methods of gain be kept unde
strictly religious influences, and one o
the greatest improvements of societ
would be realized. There can be n
question, however, that walking wit
God ought to have all these application
and adaptations. The true jesign of RI
ligion will never be accomplished unit
it enters more extensively into tn
) everyday matters of life.
? There are two extremes to be avoide
{ in this connection. The one is carryin
= religion out of the world, the other
carrying the world out of religion; o
in other words, letting religion carry l
!. out of the world on one hand, and O
' the other letting the world carry us o,
\ of religion. 1t Is great mistake I
:. suppose that we must retire from worlC
8 ly scenes and engagements in order
r be genuinely religious; and it is a r
o less important mistake to suppose tn;
8 we must retire from religion in order
. participate in the pursuits and transa
a tons of secular life and business ente
o prise. The inspired rule of true life i
Il mot slothful in business, fervent
q Spirit,serving the Lord. "-Watchman.
SCIENCE AND RELIGION.