The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-29
THE RELIGIOUS MULE.

what depths or feeling and bitter eX
perience this text expresses The mule
is the incarnation Of obstinacy. Stand
ing with his fOrefeet wide apart and
firmly planted on the ground, his long
ears laid back close to his neck, his
tough hide and long, awkward head,
Ge is picture of firmDess. You doubt
less imagine that David was thinking of
one of those balky brutes on his father s
farm when he wrote the text. Far
more likely he was thinking of Joab,
in comparison with whom the most OBJ
stinate of those early acquaintance
was pliability itself.
There are mules and mules. All have
the same character ; but there is di-
versity of outward forms. Some are
horizontal, others are perpendicular.
Some walk on four feet, and some on
two. Usually, however. they do not
walk at all. but stand very still.
Not a few of these animals are found
browsing on the tender grass within the
enclosure of the Christian church.
They are easily discovered. In fact,
there is no need to discover them, for
they soon make their presence felt.
The mule, whatever may be his out
ward form. is an Obstructionist. He is
tenacious of his own opinions. lie will
have his own way, or he will stand
still. and make everything and every
body else stand still with HIM, if posi-
Die. Lucky enough if he does not let
fly with his heels. and pulverize all Ob
jects within reach.
Obstinate An Obstructionist? Oh,
no he does not intend to be either. lie
is very conscientious. And unfor-
tunately he has adopted that familiar
definition of conscience, - namely,
Something within me which says
i won't. - There IS nothing light or
frivolous about him. He makes every
thing a matter of conscience; and when
others differ from him, it is always be-
cause they are less earnest and con-
scientious than himself.
When his mind is made up, he is i'm
movable. Argument and persuasion
are alike wasted upon him. He usually
plants his feet firmly on one or two
Scripture texts which seem to substan-
tiate his position, and from these he
will not bulge an inch. You may
quote a dozen in refutatiOn. but he will
throw them all aside. and stand on
those which he has chosen. 1t is in
deed fortunate when the rest of the
team can move on. and leave HIM
standing there alone in his glory, like
Lots wife on the shore of the Dead Sea.
Too often he gets between the shafts:
and then, when he comes 10 stand
still. the rest must halt with him
till he is ready to move on, or is taken
to his reward. Many a church in our
land to- dav is standing absolutely still.
and has made no progress for years.
simply because there is mule some
where in the team; perhaps he Is In the
pulpit, perhaps in the pews.
We can all of Us assume this charac
ter on occasion. 1t is one of the strong
est points in favor of Professor Darwin s
theory, that there seems to be III almost
every member of the human family
some remaining trace Of the ancestral
mule. Nothing is more easy than 60
persuade ourselves than any point which
we desire to carry is matter Of con
science. Il feel impelled 10 do thus
or so, therefore | ought, IS
common syllogism. We often
mistake obstinacy, in ourselves, Cor
moral courage, proper firmness, de-
cision of character, or some other COM
mendable quality, 50 nearly are vices
related to virtues. When unwelcome
advice is offered us, we thrust it aside,
and imagine ourselves to be miniature
Martin Luthers, determined to enter
Worms though there were as many
devils as tiles upon the house-tops. Or
we fancy that We are but repeating the
Get thee behind me, Satan" of the
Master. Very frequently we should
find a more accurate likeness in Reno
boam, who forsook the counsel of the
old men. the wisest and safest advisers
in the realm.
Decision of character and firmness IN
purpose are very desirable qualities of
the Christian. The church OF The pre-
sent day needs men with independent
minds aud strong, straight backbone,
men who dare TO say No" clearly and
earnestly. She needs men like Joshua
aud Daniel AMI Paul, who can With
stand temptation, and even the false
persuasion of friends. But we must
beware. lest with the backbone we de-
velop a tail and long ears.
BE not as the mule. Rev
George I'll. Hubbard in Sunday-school