The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1891-10-07
CHRLSTIAN CONSISTENCY.

oe fully satisfied by inspecting
their own hearts, and we see vast
number who appear to be shameful
ly Indifferent members Of church
calling itself holy" Its holiness
does not by any means consist in
She purity of the materials of
which it is composed. The men,
oers and even the clergy, may
truthfully say, we are all mis-
cradle sinners" But in evan
gelical churches, whose members
make a personal profession of
goodness, it is not uncommon to
find a general regard for at least
decent degree of consistency. This
public sentiment renders the re-
representatives. of Judas Iscariot
topen traitors) few and far between.
The imitators of Ananias, of the
church in Jerusalem, are, we fear.
more numerous.
1t makes one almost shudder to
read the narrative of that solemn
and tragical event that cast its
shadow upon the glorious scene of
Christian fellowship and Joy that
followed the Pentecostal revival.
The signal and summary display
of the divine adherence of Lying
TO the Holy Ghost" manifested in
the awful death of two of the mem
oers of the church, leaves no doubt
upon the devout reader that such a
deliberate violation of sacramental
vows remains forever under the
curse of God. We have no right to
7nter that this man and his guilty |
wife were the only individuals in
the ranks of the primitive disciples
who ever committed such crimes.
AS frequently occurs now, an ex-
ample was made by the sovereign
wisdom of God, for the purpose of
warning the people against the
Judgment to come. The lesson
assembled that which was conveyed
oy the lips of Christ in his minis
try, where he said of certain men
suddenly destroyed, "Think We
shat they were sinners above ALL
men that dwelt in Jerusalem? II
sell you, Nay; but except we repent,
ye shall all likewise perish" And
1T corresponds with the declaration
of Peter in his epistle, that "iudg-
ment must begin at the house of
God"
Tt is calculated to cause trembling
an the ranks of modern disciples
when they recall this warning.
There is reason to fear there are
many followers of Ananias and
sapphire yet spared by the mercy
of God, who have voluntarily vowed
TO him complete conservation of
all that they possess, and still
knowingly and wickedly keep back
part of what they have dedicated.
To be more specific there are
parents all around us who have
professed to give their children TO
God, but now, when by his goodness
they have been spared to grow up,
are more anxious for them to pros
per in worldly sense than to
glorify God in his spiritual service.
Again, there are nominal Chris
Clans in great numbers who are sup
piled with abundant means to seek
luxury and pleasure, and yet have
title disposition to deny them
selves Of a part of these means for
he promotion of the kingdom of
heaven
We do not suppose that con
piracy between man and wife is
secretly formed at this day to
cheat the church and lie to the
Holy Ghost but it is fair to i'm
oute a kindred crime to those who
nabitually act inconsistently with
professions solemnly incurred i'm
he hour of their public consecra-
ion. 1t is impossible for reflect
ng people to avoid the conscious
ness Of failure TO discharge these
obligations But most persons con-