The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-22
RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY.
Discourse of Rev. Benz. r. Roberts ~
the Free Methodist Services.

Discourse of Rev. Benz. r. Roberts IT
the Free Methodist Services.
Services were held by the Free Methodists in
the Scandinavian Methodist church, corner OF
Fifth and Olive streets, all day yesterday, and
a. 10 customary with this denomination, were
very enthusiastic, besides being weil attended.
Bishop BENJAMIN 7. Roberts, of Chill, y. T.,
who has been presiding over the conference here.
preached at both II O. m and 7:3o p. m services
At the forenoon services he discoursed upon the
Difference Between Natural Religion and
Christianity" from Romans x:a He said;
One OF the most celebrated Of modern scien-
fists defines man rs - religious animal" his
moral and religious nature 10 the one thing
which. above all others, distinguishes him from
the inferior animals. They may possess intelli-
gence and reason, but they have no conscience.
They may learn that some acts are rewarded and
some punished; but they never learn moral DIS
tinctions They never worship. In all ages and
In all countries man has . religion Livingston
said that the most degraded tribes In Africa De-
Hsved In gods and In q future existence. The
persons of whom my text speaks were religious
persons. They belonged TO the old church
which God had founded and which He had hon.
ored by . long succession of prophets and holy
men, and by many wonders and miracles
wrought in its behalf. Yet they were not in
state OF salvation. They were resting in their
own righteousness.
In the New Testament the word religion" 10
found but FIVE times and always with qualify
ing term. Paul says he profted in "the Jews
religion" James uses the expression pure
Father" This shows that religion may be i'm
pure and defled. drop OF ink viii color q
quart of water. A mixture of pride in ones re-
ligion will manifest itself in "ths putting on OF
gold and costly apparel" in iswelry. feathers
and artificial flowers. A mixture of selhshness
viii lead one into secret societies, that be may
gain some advantage to which his conduct does
not Justly entitle him. A mixture of sensualify
win lead him to smoke cigars or drink beer OF
wine or other liquors. Much of the religion OF
the day Ia both mixed and dsiled.
Charles G. Finney, formerly president OF
Oberlin college, a man who did more for the
religious welfare of this country than perhaps
any other man of his generation, says in his
great work on theology: "Until We can re-
move from the minds OF men the impression
that the current Christianity of the age IL true
Christianity, we can do but little towards pro-
noting a revival of pure religion"
All the religions OF the world may be classed
under two heads-man's religion and Gods re.
ligion. They differ fundamentally.
Mans religion, or righteousness, 10 founded
upon the assumption that man Is naturally
good, and all that he needs is instruction In
sound doctrines and correct modes of worship.
luis rSliSiOu appear III Nuflstluu VI 1Ao-
hommadan or idolatrous form. 1t makes little
difference. 1t relies for the improvement OF it,
votaries on training and culture
Gods righteousness when found in man Is
impaired to him by the Christ agency OF the
Holy Spirit It assumes that man In q fellow.
being, and that he needs to be "born of the
Spirit, to be created anew in Christ Jesus unto
good works" Mans il natural; that which ID
from God is supernatural
Men grow up into natural religion they OBJ
tain Gods religion only by repentance and faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ ''With the heart mar
believeth unto righteousness, and with the
mouth confession is made unto salvation"
Mans religion accepts as authority the cur.
rent standard of morality Of the day. II is con
trolled by prejudice; lett il governed
by expediency One who has the right
eousness which God imparts governs
by an enlightened conscience. He s.abhors that
which il evil" he cieaves to "that which ii
good" Fifty years ago Penney said: "Ths
grace of God will make any man an abolition
list" Today that same grace will make any mar
prohibitionist. In every moral question tina,
comes up he will be found on the side Of right
He takes his stand there and never falters
though he stands alone.
Mans righteousness does not give the soul
support and consolation in this life, and IL will
fail to save it in the life to come 1t was of yery
religious people that our Savior referred when
He said: Except your Righteousness shall ex
coed the righteousness of the Scribes and Phar.
isees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom
of hosven