Nevada County picayune., 1890-04-02

great import, that our blessed Savior deemed it best to caution us against the danger from this source. Our love of ease, as well as the tcmpta- tions of the wicked one, are all en- gagged on the side of deception along this line, for it is so much easier to say than to do, to offer service Tn
 words rather than in deeds. To say
 Lord, Lord, doubtless means pub lie progression of religion, uniting
 with some branch of the Christian church, repeating the forms of prayer, and in general, the outward performance of the duties of our holy religion. Our Savior does not condemn the exter- nal observance of these things, but the resting in them to tine neglect of inward, heartfelt religion. The 10TH lHuSJ Dc HIdluJdtitN, blIC tNbtl- nal duties must be performed, but at the same time the spirit of purity and holiness must dwell in the heart, purifying it's thoughts, affections and desires, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
 "The letter killeth but the spirit giyeth life.' The casket is valua- ble chiefly for the precious jewel which it contains "and we have this treasure in earthern vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us." A great many people seem to think that re- ligion consists largely in church-go- ing and other external acts, when in reality true religion permeates the whole man, moulding his every day life in conformity with the will of God In fact, fruit bearing, or good deeds, are the only evidences to the world of our being true Christians. By their fruits shall ye know them. " Too often sentimentalism or emo- tionalism is mistaken for religion; these are good in their places, and are appropriate and useful on their proper occasions, but they do not constitute that priceless jewel, with out which they are no better than sounding brass or a tickling symbol. People often display some of the ornaments or accompaniments f piety without any satisfactory cvi- dence that the heaven-born essence is in theIr hearts. Hence the neccs- sity for frequent warnings to pre- vent fatal mistake right at this point.
 If faithful service, affeetionate obedience alone can secure admission through the pearly gates into the celestial city, then it behooycs us to be on our guard lest we fail to sc- cure admission into the city. "Blesscd are they that do his com mandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may en- ter through the gates into the city" No one can plead in default of faith ful service that opportunities were not given, or that ability was not be- slowed; for these were dispensed to each according to his several ability. The rich were confronted with the poor to excite and develop heaven born charity; the robust dwelt side by side with the afflicted ones to draw forth those feelings of sympa- ! thy and compassion which would largely alleviate their suffe ,ings and thus the various and opposing conditions of society only furnished ! still more abundant opportunities and occasions for the exercise and | of the heavenly virtues. Even the disappointments of life present fine field for the cultivation and development of patience; and the mixture of good and evil in our best estate tends to create and foster a desire for higher and better state, in which all these drawbacks shall . be swallowed up in the glories Of everlasting day.
 Reader, there are but two moral | classes m the universe, the good and | the bad, and you belong to one of | these classes. If righteousness were ! put to the line and judgment to the plummet, what would be your moral ! status, or where would you stand . Remember that works, good deeds, i will constitute the final measure of | your reward in the world to come, and that the outward profession will !.