Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-04-26
DIALOGUES OF ERAsTUs AND ARIsTARoHUs.
1. On the Present State of Religion

Erusttts:-"Come, my good Aris-
tarchus, let us withdraw and devote
the hours of today to discourse on the
weighty questions that have employ ed
my mind of late"
AriStarchus; VERY acceptable to
me, good Erastus. Can I not guess
your souls vexation? You are troubl-
ed over divine subjects. The grasp
ing for wealth, the many forms Of
fraud and sham have led you to fear
lest that old, pure, soul-changing re-
ligion of our fathers is waning. Are
not these and kindred thoughts the
burden of your mind?"
E.-"You are not far amiss. l
have been seriously rejecting on the
present state of religion. Do you not
see much that contradicts our Lords
spirit in the lives and deeds of those
who claim to be his own? With some
there is frightful apathy, with others
such wickednessl And the world
rushes on to death and doom. These
thoughts agltate me in my medita-
tions, are you never thus exercised?
A.-"Io be sure. Often my sleep
is stolen by these sad reflections. Tho
/ confess not now so much as in for
mer times"
B.-"And why not now"
A.-"Prolonged study and closer
observation have brought relief"
Explain yourself. l do not
understand how study and observa-
ton has brought your ease of mind,
while to me they seem only to multi
ply fear"
A.-"Well, good Erastus, l have
learned that man is prone to take a
too limited view of Gods mighty
works. If in our immediate locality
the Lords cause prospers we rejoice
as tho his advent we're at hand. If
no advance Is seen, we say The
worlds religion stands still If we
suffer and lose ground, we at once
lament the universal declension of
righteousness, not thinking that other
lands are marching on to grand sue
cess. A wider vision would often
change encouragement into hope.
Then, too, l have observed that re-.
ligious progress is not as constant
aud even flow. 1t is intermittent in
the individual, and in the church.
Now, then is conflict then rest fol-
lwos, and the churches are edited;
ands walking in the fear of the Lord
and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost,
are multiplied These considerations
have brought me consolation, If a
shadow be about me.
l say; This cloud cannot cover
the world over If the onward move
ment pause, l say; we are gather
ing,strength for a mightier effort :"
B.-"Those are new ideas, indeed.
But does your experience assure you
of their trust-worthiness?"
At does, and very powerfully,
am 1 confirmed by further study and
observation that it is truly the Faith
ers good pleasure to give the kingdom
unto His people,"
E.-"But do you feel convinced
that righteousness is gaining ground?
Is the world growing better or
worse"
A.-"To your latter question it
seems that Both is the safest answer
to make. Wickedness shows a solid
front. Never was it better organized
or more strongly entrenched. But
righteousness has fanked 1t on the
right side and on the left; in front
she advances with tremendous and
eyer increasing might. When the
Son of God comes again bringing
with HIM Heavens reinforcements, a
laundering onslaught will gain the
day.
Yes, righteousness is gaining
ground, with an assurance OF glorious
triumph in the ends"
E.-"Perhaps SO. At least, I shall
take courage from your words and
hold fast the profession 1 have made,
and with quickening zeal work for
God and right.