The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-05-07
ECCLESIASTICAL COLUMN.
Rev. S. NJ. Engle. pastor Presbyterian church.
Editor.
mDon't See ANY Harm IN II ;"


certain that where by proper care
and effort true principles and right
practices might result. individuals
will be held responsible for wrong
ones. Persons are at times called
unprincipled when the fact is that
principles do exist, but are wrong
ones. Incorrect principles lead, of
course, to incorrect practices in life.
The life is the outward manifesto
ton of inward principles and be-
hefs. Wrong principles make bad
men and women, and vice versa.
With these facts in view let us ex,
anime the statement often made by
men; 81 don't see any harm in it. d"
Let us sincerely apply some script
ural tests.
l. If you see no harm in it, aOhy
n0t2 Have you thoroughly exam
ined the matter? Do your know
the principle on which it rests and
the consequences flowing from it.?
Matt. 49,: 1G says, "Blessed are
your eyes for they see; and your
ears for TREY hear.'' This means
that we have been given powers to
enable us to perceive and under
stand matters, and are therefore
bound to apply the tests and give
reasons for our opinions. If they
are right be assured of that fact,
and hold to them. If they are
wrong, learn that fact, and in true
honesty give them up for true ones.
Heaven holds us responsible.
2. Is the dust of worllliness in
your eyes so that you can't see
properly? Isaiah Go. declares
that some people hear and don't
understand; see and don't perceive.
Worldliness has woderful effect
upon our looking upon principles
and practices. 1t sometimes crowds
out good entirely, and it might be
well to examine its operations.
3. Is the moral eyesight unim-
paired? Sometimes the moral eye
sight is affected with the squint of
insincerity. Matt. 6; 22-23 says
that there Is no darkness so dense
as that in which the very truth per-
ceiving powers have turned in the
direction of evil. The distressing
part of this condition is that persons
so afflicted can't perceive it, but
consider their moral eyesight per
feet.
4. Are you vj7jng to see any
harm in it.: Persons become biased
and prejudiced and so are no longer
open to conviction. Those who
won't reason are called fanatics.
Sach persons can't arrive at truth,
since they won't search for it. lie
that is WnWilltag to be convinced of
wrong, is in a sad plight indeed.
Christ said that the Pharisees were
blind and would not see, while they
thought themselves right.
5. viii YOU see any harm in it on
your dying bed? l Kings % :25 is
a good illustration Of the truth that
a time is to come when men shall be
willing to know the truth. Better
know and practice it now. The
dying bed is no time to change
principles and repent of lIfe's wrong
practices.
G. Would you like Christ to catch
you in the very act? Would He
approve it, you think? You may
determine this from scripture.
Whether you like it or not, He does
see that act, and if right he will APP
prove it some day, if wrong con-
denim it. Perhaps He has already
condemned it in scripture; look and
see.
Z. Do the best christians living
see any harm in it? Do you know
any that condemn it? Hebrews
5:14 says that those who for long
time have been consistent christians
are better judges about such mat
tiers, being stronger. The judg-
ment of church courts is to be
respected highly in this.
s. Is it consistent with your pro-
fession that in accepting the cross
OF Christ ''the world is crucifed
unto you and you unto the world"
Gal. 6 IA says this is the position
of christian.
8. Can you commune with God
as freely after it as before it?
10. Can you pray for Gods bles-
sing IN the midst of it? We are
directed to do this. If there is any
doubt, it is wrong. SO expressly
says Rom. IA :23. Picture to your
self people pausing to ask Gods
blessing in the midst of some acts.
II. Lastly, while it may be law
full, strictly speaking, is it becoming
in q christian, and helpful to others?
We are commanded while seeking
our own interest to consider the in
terests of others. Not to refrain
from everything that some peculiar
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