The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1891-02-21
NON-CONFORNITE TO THE
WORLD.
A Sermon by the Rev. DIR. 5. NJ. Osmond
of the Elkton Presbyterian Church
February 10, 1891.

A Sermon by the Rev. DIR. $. NJ. osmond
of the EIkton Presbyterian Church
February 10, 1891.
Rev. S. NJ. Osmond, d. H., pastor OF
the Presbyterian Church of this town
delivered forcible sermon to largo
congregation on Sunday night last, his
text being the second verse of the 18th
chapter of r )maus-"And be not con-
formed to this world"
There may be" said Dr.. Osmond some
minds not fully clear as to this and SINH
lar expressions. Bat few will need to be
told, that it is no. the material world, on
which we dwell and which is the excel
lent and beautiful workmanship of
God that it is not the Inhabitants OF
earth in themselves considered who are
all the creatures of God, and as such to
be benevoleutly regarded by their fellow
creatures nor the necessary occupations
of the world, it's lawful toll, or trades,
or enterprises. its natural, innocent, and
simple enioyments which are sLigmatiSed
as evil, AID from which Christians are to
withhold their love, aud withdraw all
countenance or participation. The world.
in the sense of the bible passage read,
means "aN Of our humanity that lies out
side Qt'the controlling influence Of Christian
principle"
After defining at length what noncon-
formity to the world meant IN this sense,
d.. Osmond SAID there are mary things
that bear the stamp of worldiiness so
with the spirit aid precepls of the Cos
pei, that tbs prof. ssors OF that gospel can
only practice them Iii total disregard of
the very APPEARANCE OF consistency. You
will understand me better ii l refer to
familiar examples. The mention of card
play ing, tho threatle, the promiScuUus
dance, etc, will at once suggest my
meaning. Now in order to v!ud,cate
the Judgment of most evangelical Chris,
ians III regard to the worldIncs5 Of these
things and GGuss queutly, their insult
ablentss iyr Christians, i, is Gy 10 means
necessary 10 prove that thcy are positive
ly sinful. Iuu may say hat surely there
is no sin i'll -Lutti ~ sbInJ Certain pieces
of pat er distinguished by variety of
spots in the shape Of heads and da-
monds and spAdes,-Granted. You may
assert that there is nothing wrong in sal
tatory motions, made in accordance with
figures, as in unison with music, any
more than il the gambols of young ami
mails in the field or in the gyratious
of birds III the .!ir,-glauted. You may
| satisfy yourself that there is nothing
| sinful, in euacsiug with artistic skill OF
voice and gesture, accompanied with
appropriate scenery and dress the mas
ter pieces OF dramatic poetry, granted
again. But when you have satisfied
yourself thus far, yOr are ouly on the
very lowest ground of morals which can
be assumed by Christian. You are
bound as Christian to consider further
what are the usual associates, the general
tendency the practical influence Of such
things. Y GU are bound to look ii. them,
not as they might be under some circum
stances, but as they have been and still
are actually exempIied. and what may
be lawful may not be expedient. Tho
good of others as we'll as our own must
be regarded.
The Apostles resolution cannot be
| ignored by Christians IF meat cause my
brother to offsud | will eat no more"
The amusements that have been speci-
| fed have been in use long enough to de-
velope their true character and bear their
appropriate fruits. Not one of them is
without bad associations. Where is the
theatre in any of our great cities, that
does not stand in close connection with
| that at which decency must hang her
head in shame. Does not the rivulet of
parlor card playing, in many an ascer-
tainable instance, empty at last in the
gulf OF the gamblers he'll? The select
square old fashioned dance may be OF
unquestloned responsibility, but can it
disown all relationship with the unwhole-
some miscellany of the crowded ball
room or even the bacchanal orgies of the
city dance house? Admitting that no ex-
press precept o! the decalogue is violated
by any of these forms OF amusement yet
what is the spirit that pervades them
What are their Ordinary tendencies and
effects? Are they favorable to growth in
grace? Do those who frequent them 60
home with keen relish To their closets,
their bibles, to Sabbath duties, to
work for Jesus aud dying men? Are
they favorable to revivals of religion?
Is the theatre goer, or the lover of the
dance one apt to be brought to Jesus ? Is
not the.opposite of all these suggestions
the fact of the case and to grant the
very most, does 1T not remain true, that
such forms of amusement are pre-emi-
nently worldly, and that 1t requires in
order FULLY to relish them, a spirit in
which worldiness reigns?
| venture an Gppeai to the honest
judgment OF those who profess to be
actuated by nothing mole than worldly
principles. When the church member
participates in such things their real
feeling is, that he is one with them, that
he has crossed over to their side of the
line. Who is it among professed Chris
tians WHO cha!e against the restrictions
that would Keep them back from these
regions of doubt and danger? Is it those
who are strong in the l. )rd, and in the
power of His might? GA no Such are
always we'll satisfied to keep far within
the lines They are the ones most
watchful and JEALOUS of themselves, with
a godly jealousy shuuning even the ap-
pearance of evil.
Must we then in order to be Christians
forego all the enjoyments of life? Must
we perpetually wear long unsmiliDg
faces, and dressing ourselves in sackcloth
go mourning all our days ? My only an
swer is come and try it for yourselves.
Learn from experience what it is to be a
Chris sian not in name but in truth, not a
nall Oub Nhole hoai Ioa )hi io"iah' WIN
a good conscience, a Heavenly nope, con
genial activities, and worthy aims in
life. No thank God, we do not have to
seek our happiness in the worlds dis
tempered joys. Ask US not to cast down
the barriers that separate between the
church and the world.
II have spoken plainly my friends,
it is because love you 100 well not TO
warn you against the greatest danger to