The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-09
A PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN.

Il WANT to be a practical Chris
tian." So said one whose eyes were
open to the real bearings of Chris
tian Profession. Now this practical
Christianity is just what the world
wants and God desires to see. This
is very practical age. The charac-
teristic feature of our modern civil
cation is the adaptation and applica-
ton of the products of genius every.
day life. We have disencumbered
ourselves of very much of the form
and fuss and sentiment of old times
and have reduced principles to prac-
tice.
The two great electric lights of the
world are Franklin and Edison. And
while their work is Intimately and
logically related, there is great diff
ference between electricity as Frank
n knew it, and as Edison knows it
franklin bottled it; but Edison has
taken out the cork and set it at work.
Now the world needs today Chris
tianity as practical as its electricity,
as brilliant in its illuminating power,
and as energetic in it's application.
We want it to shine, and we want
it to drive. We do not condemn the
church. 1t has done and is doing
great service. But it can do vast
deal more. Too much of it's power
is bottled yet. 1t needs such shock
as will startle it out of its pews and
forms and conventionalities "Too
much wildfire," was the criticism of
staid, prim, proper church member,
speaking of the work of an earnest
and enthusiastic laborer, who did not
confine his methods altogether with
in regulation lines. And we said in
reply, that we thought even wild
fire" was better than no fire. But
practical Christianity does not kindle
wildfire. 1t is as far removed from
the one extreme as the other.
There is and always has been
tendency to mistake sanctimony for
spirituality. Some people ooze out
religious JUNCTION a. they do perspira-
ton, and gain reputation for saint.
illness, while yet their piety sadly
fails of practical efficiency. Re
member your profession" was the
oft repeated admonition of certain
stern visaged sister.
This was her "down brake" signal
for her unfortunate husband, when
ever he seemed in danger of switch
ing off on any side track of hilarity.
Religion to her was steep up grade
to be travelled with slow solemnity.
A quaint old Methodist minister, at
the close of a protracted meeting
when emotion was at white heat,
was thus accosted by the leader of
the service: "Oh, don't you long to be
in heaven, brother? Are you not
pining for your discharged" NO."
was the somewhat unexpected reply,
81 don't l don't want to be where
l amt wanted. When God wants
me he will send for me-" Those who
key themselves down to a funeral
tone are not practical Christians, and
neither are those who live in a sort of
spiritual abstraction, out of sympathy
with this life, and idly gasping into
another which they do not see at all.
This world is the place to get ready
for heaven in, and he who takes the
lower place contentedly and efficient
ly will be invited some day to come
up higher.
The practical Christian exemplifies
the all-sufficiency of the grace of God
on all lines of allowable human in
terest. He not only sings of peace
and good will at Christmas time, but
he weeds cut "the roots of bitterness"
and does moi keep any pet grudges.
He not only prays, Thy kingdom
come, but he gives more than a nickel
to the offering for missions, and
dares sometimes speak to some sim
ner about his soul. He does not
keep his piety with his hymn book in
his pew, but puts on the Lord Jesus
and walks in him, SO that all take
knowledge of him that he has been
with Christ, and as old Rowland Hill
said, even "his dog and his cat find
it out" But alas, as Whittier says,
at is easier to be pious than it is to
be good. Isaac L. Kipp, IN Net0
York Observer.