The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-12-11
OUR SUNDAY COLUMN.
Original and Otherwise-Pee-
pared by Mark.
NO. 81.

NO. 81.
professors Of religion are nc better
than those who make no preteEsion to
religion" is the verdict OF tho world
And by tho world l mean the unbe-
levers in the world; men and women
who eat up the sins of Gods pee pie and
set their hearts on the iniquities Of
those who are delominated church
members. "Sin ners are just as good as
members of the church AMI your pious
professors Of religion" is charge that
is on the lips OF thousands. 1t is ia
vorite charge of somo IN Roanoke who
are the enemies of tho Cross OF Christ.
1T has become fashionable thus to be-
rate church members. The shafts Of
ri6iculo in the liberia, magazine arc pol
ished by this sentiment. 1t gives zcst
tic the songs of the drunkard over his
cups. 1t see5hes tho conscience of the
sinner when awakened by tho voice of
Sod.
There may be some plausibilitY in
their plea. ] am'not defending or pro-
tectlng any professor OF religion against
the aSpersi0ns OF unbelievers caused by
far off following of Christ. Let them
como If they are really deserved. If tho
inconsistency o. apostacy and detection
in some 'hoinous crime is manifest let
the chu7ch member be denou' ced. Set
tie it with him, but do not say, because
of such inconsistency or immortality Oh
the part'of a church me u Der that there
is no reality in religion. Nor is it fair
to condemn professors of religion for
one oEense.
Some people never forget an mad
vertent step OF a child Of God 1t is q
cud they chew on forever, and the ono
ceascless, disparaging cry is: SINNERS
are just as good as church members and
professors of religion"
Let us SEQ what there is in this ver.
dict of the adversaries of Christi
ity. II am just as good as your
church member OF professor Of religion"
says one of these church hating ,carping,
barking censors,
Ii will be observed that when this
boast is made the enemies of Christian
ity select the counterfeit religionists
and measure themselves by these coun-
terfeits and hypocrites and then chime
in with the worlds verdict and shout,
professors of religion are no better
than others. We arc just as good as
your church members" Well, may be
your arc. Let US measure you by your
own standard.
Here is a man who is q member of the
church-a prominent professor of re-
li,ion. He has stimulated the Chris
tian graces and has succeeded in deceiv-
ing the best of men. He is hypocrite
i1e is black at heart and never had the
root of the matter in him. His sins find
him out in this world and rise to his
shame and condemnation. Then the
enemies OF Christ and his holy religion
clap their hands for Joy and raise a
shout and echo and re echo the world g
verdict: I'VE are just as good as your
church members"
So you may be. / hopo you ore.
Again; here is prominent CHURCH
member who has had position OF
great responsibility.
,Outwardly he is polite, intelligent,
| Christian gentleman, but inwnrdly he
us a thief-a rogue. He steals daily;
and by false balance sheets he keeps an
Eonestappoarance on paper. and .is re.
sgarded as a man of the strictest in.
ssgrity and exemplary piety But soon
the mon thsand years of deliberate, sys.
tematic stealage brings to view the
shrinkage, and the man is exposed and
imprisoned. Then again you hear the
cry from the ,adversaries of Chris tienity,
professors are no better than we are
We are just as good as your church
members" Have it so, then. If such
man is your standard of Chris DAINTY.
measure up to him and be just as good
"a thief.
Again: Here is church member
who has been convicted and sentenced
for stealing horse. The adversaries
are again in their glory. They repeat
their boast: 1--WE see no difference;
we are just as good as your church
members" BE it so. Measure I'D to
the standard of Il horse thief and be
satisfied. When you say, "IYe are just
as good as q horse thief" we Shall not
doubt your word. You ought to know
Setter than anybody else.
Again, Judas betrayed his Lord. He
was professor of religion-a member
of the church-an ostle But he fell.
VIII you say, eve are just as good as
Sudas?" Well, have it SO, If this will
SO tisfy you.
And SO We might go on with all the
vile hYpt critics that have been identi-
Fl I'D with Christianity, from tho last
culprit up to Judas, and as they are
exposed listen to your boast that mon
professors Of religion are just as good as
church memb ers and we should gree
with you You select the lowest stand
ard Of counterfeit religion and we be.
lievo you can measure up to it ald be
entirely satisfied
Men OF tho world say There is no
difference: sinners are just rs good as
professors Of religion and church
members" This difference may