The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1895-01-18
CHRISTIANITY Versus skePrlclSM.
No. B.


wrote last week about what Christi
anity has done, and Is doing, for rommu-
mites and nations, this week speak
about individuals. can best accomplish
my purpose by giving Short history of
aneighbor Of mioe. when first knew
him he was miserable drunkard squand-
eril.g his time and money, curse to his
family and the community. a bloated blear
and degraded speeimeh of humanity
whose whota influence was against NOR
atty and good order, About five years
ago he was converted. He stopped drink
ing, became a model husband, father,
neighbor and citizen. He Is an active
Christian, Superintendent of the Sabbath
School, prominent official In the church,
open handed and liberal In the support of
all its benevolent work. He earns large
amount of money and spends 1t freely to
help the poor aud needy and in every good
work. He is loved and respected by all.
What has made this wonderful change 7
Hhristianity-nothing else. Did skepti-
cism or ihhdelity ever do as much for a
mant This case might be multiplied by
thousands. John B. Golf and Sam Small
shining examples of the power of the re-
ligion of Jesus to save. The world Is
full of such evidence. Paul said II am
ready To be otiefed," III have fought a
good light, l have finished my course
henceforth there is laid up for me a
crown of glory which God the righteous
judge shall give to me in that day" The
dying Wesley said. "the best of all Is
God Is with u.s." Charles Wesley, 81
= all be satisfied with thy likeness" Eli
1ott, welcome joy" DR.. Goodwin said,
An, is this dying? How have dread
~ as an enemy this smiling friend" On
the other hand Voltaire said to his ply
stefan 81 will give you half am worth
If you will give me six months life."
The doctor answered "sir, you cannot
live six weeks" Voltaire replied, "then
shall go to hell" and soon after expired.
Paine said amid the agonies of remorse,
would give worlds if had them, that,
the Age of Reason had never been pub
lished. Which is the better wayp
Little need be said in reply to the com.
munication of III. b. s." in last weeks
SITTER" If mans premises is wrong
his argument is good for nothing. HI
evidently makes two fatal mistakes
First: He fails to make proper dis
tinetion between those who believe il
Christianity and Christian. Not al
who believein Christianity are Christians
To illustrate, suppose am sick and Their,
is medicine that has always cured sucl
cases and | believe it will cure me, if
neglect or refuse to take it, it is Of n,
earthly use to me. So far as l am con
cerned it would be just as well if no sucl
medicine had ever existed. So with sal
walton, to those who neglect or refuse t,
comply with its conditions it is of n,
avail that "Jesus came to seek and saw
| eAO1S Who oiO AOoes OCSOuQs IlC ullh
takes and mistates the teachings Of Chris
tianity. 1t teaches that no sin can b
forgiven without true repentance. Tru
repentance means not only sorrow TO
sin but turning from sin. "N,t every
one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, Blu
he that .doeth the will of my Father.
"Faith without works is dead" Proba
bly, not one of all those prisoners was
true Christian. If they had been the
would not have been there. Christian
do not commit crimes that send them t,
prison. The statement that criminal
"are the dupes of the Christian schem
of salvation" is toe redieulously absur,
to need comment. God never mistake
sham for true repentance.
VOX,