The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-26

The ringing, singing on It's way,
The world TeyolVes from night TO day,
A voice, a chime.
4 chant sublime,
OF peace on earth, goodwill 10 men.
-Longfellow.
SHOOT FOLLY AS IT FLIES.
Two Sermons The Preachers and
the Layman's Idea.
We once heard of q Baptist Brother who
valid that he could not see why some PeoPe ,he
the Church. This rather vigorous expression
is Just the summing up in few words ihe
, lifelong conduct OF some people. Juagins
from their actions they have no special dread
OF that place, for they live life that the Bio
SAYS very plainly will lead them there. They
do not seem 10 regard the judgment tnreateh-
ed against liars, and swearers, ana uIon ,s
and adulterers but they much prefer 10 pe
guilty OF these things in the church than OUT
Of II. 1t may be that some think that oelnE
in the chuch will somehow shield tnem from
the consequences of such sins or lessen thein
their guilt They seem TO think that IL is a
=. good thing to be a member or the cnurcn'
even If they don't try TO live as church mem
bers ought Ar Ignorant c1nndenSe 10 o. 1oe
mems living lives OF sin In the church.
Others keep up the outward forms OF rellg-
ion from regard to the opinions OF men. Ihey
but not about the reality. The judgment OF
God for sin seems a small thing to them II
they have the approval OF men. Ihey are no.
much concerned about walking IN tne o,paa ,bai
road, but they don't want men TO think tnat
OF them aft er they are gone. They nave no
dislike to living in sin. but they want 10 40 IL
respectfully. ..
church because their consciences are not Al
rest. They have no real intention or even
strong desire to live Christian life, bnt thelr
minds are not at peace, and IN the nope ap in o,
many cases church membership, witnout feai
faith in Christ or change OF heart, does In
measure suet the vsa FOR Sn1s osG [ea
ness and sin in the church rather than out OF
il. They can travel the broad road with more
ease Of conscience. Willing TO take the risk
OF future torment but they want present ease
l.. Associate Reformed Presbyterian.
Taking the above sermon for text, lay
lay would remark on the same:
All that the esteemed brother says is true. =,
What be says is not only true, but Is well
AS is usual. however, with most eminent
preachers, our good brother speaks OF "liars;
and swearers and drunkards. and adulterers,
as II they were the great and chief sinners on
We all know that these are not the chief sins
or the only sins 10 which our people are addict
. ed.
are notably distinguished above for their Eel.
i'ss Bs - aswearers" we pEssu gsqd brother
referred eIs5,x TO 10 1oe 56e Sss S Al
T6s I 5 E 1 yss5f ,S}ssefes as s gss 3
.-rne nane OF the AkaE9sts legion: - .os :.
B. Iy Christianspeepie or all ktnds!afdal shades
of conscientionp1ess Ieo take the name or
the Iord on their lipsgzsud they do not do 30
every time with reverentlal awe: ;f.o,,an,,v
with irreverence, In the pulpit than else
where.
The average Christian brother in the pulpit
may sometimes take the name OF the Al
mighty on his lips one hundred or more times
In forty minutes.
That is oftener than we hear 1t on the pub
square from non-church members In SIX
Very few people get drunk"
Perhaps not one In a hundred, and yet we
hear much of the sin OF drunkenness.
We hear absolutely nothing as against the
habit Of uppling, from which habit drunkards
On the subject of adultery" and virtue, our
preachers seem to be dumb az oysters, except
In general way when pious brother seeks
to make vulgar insinuation against the purity
and respectability Of those who dance.
To be sure the evils OF which our good broth
er speaks S0Oulu DC TcuIculcup uuG tuO 81 CopCi
ana more common sins need not be overlook
ed.
We ought always to be careful that we do
not
"com pound for sins we're not inclined to
BY damning those We have no mind TO-.
The sin of uncharitableness Is a common
one, and perhaps the greatest OF all the sins.
The sin of expressing the poor, and driving
, good bargain at the expense OF the helpless,
The Withholding OF pay from the honest
labOrer Is sin.
The habit Of speaking evil of an unfortunate
brother should be stopped no matter whether
reck lesly drifting with the tide. TO great un-
known and unfathomable sea OF destruction.
WHY MEN JOIN THE CHURCH.
These are some of the reasons that prompt
men to join the church, and there are very
few who are not moved by one or more OF
these reasons
REWARD FOR JOINING "oUR CHURCH"
Because it helps him In his business. no mat
ter in what direction he may expend his en-
ergies.
Many ehurch-members make 1t rule to
trade with their brethren.
This is used as a standing premium or re-
ward Tor Joining "our church,
THE BEST STEPPING STONE.
Because 1t adds popularity, and In case of
popular election never fails to In ntiuence votes.
The church Is the best stepping stone TO po-
litical preferment.
SOCIAL ADVANTAGE.
Because it helps in social way.
The humble citizen is always glad TO be
member OF fashionable organization.
Such membership insures more or less re-
cognition from the higher class, and then the
ghf1h0f Class. given Oua9l-OQlCial ODDOr-
I tunity, without compromising themselves, TO
patronize people whom they could not other.
wise aftpm 70 notice.
IS GRATIFYING VANITY.
Because vanity may be ultimately gratified
by election TO a cburchly office.
Some people are pleased with very small
Without offices and without officers, the
State, the Church, the Sunday Schools, the
Masonic order, and the Temperance organiza-
lions, would soon disintegrate.
IT HELPS IN MARRIAGE.
Because. If unmarried, 1t adds TO the chances
OF advantageous union.
40 AMOUNT OF RELIGION NECESSARY.
Because the chances at some or all Of these
advantages may be had by u very trihtng ef
fort.
il Is only necessary to refrain from profane
swearing and avoid vulgar drunkenness, while
presenting 10 the outside wOrld Il reason
ably fair exterior.
No amount OF sincere religion is Necessary,
and to be allowed To SIT high up In the syn
agogue, there need be no waste OF money III
paying honest debts.
There need be no sel-denial In the way OF
oppressin. the poor and making good bar
guin of OF their necessities.
The evil word need not be withheld from
those who incur their displeasure.
BY censuring evil In Others numerically,
we make the implication that we are our
70, locp nj sin