The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-08-27

would meet me With weapons, and
would be sword stroke for sword stxok
and wound for wound and blood TO
blood, but if come and knock at tn
door of your house you open it and Civ
me the best seat in your parlor. If
should come at you now with an argu
ment, you would answer me with al
argument; if with sarcasm, you woulC
answer me with sarcasm - blow fol
blow, stroke for stroke-but when
come and knock at the door of YOU
heart you open it and say, Come in
NY brother, and tell me all you know
about Christ and heaven"
Questions Asked.
Listen to two or three questions. Are
you as happy as you used to be wher
you believed in the truth of the Chris
tian religion? Would you like to have
your children travel on in the road in
which you are now travelling? You had
relative who professed tR be Chris
tian and was thoroughly consistent, liv-
ing and dying in the faith of the Cos
pei. Would you not like to live the
same quiet life and die the same peace
full death? l hold in my hand letter,
sent me by one who has rejected the
Christian religion. 1t says: II am old
enough to know that the joys and pleas
ures of life are evanescent and to real
ize the fact that it must be comfortable
in old age to believe in something rela-
tive to the future and to have faith
in some system that proposes to save. l
am free to confess that | would be hap
pier if could exercise the simple and
beautiful faith that is possessed by
many whom know. am not willingly
out of the church or out of the faith.
My state of uncertainty is one of un-
rest Sometimes l doubt my immortal
ity and look upon the deathbed as the
closing scene, after which there is moth
ing What shall l do that have not
done?" All, skepticism is dark and
doleful land! Let me say that this Bible
is either true or false. If it be false, we
are as we'll off as you; if it be true,
then which of US is safer?
Let me also ask whether your trouble
has not been that you COMPOUNDED Chris
tianity with the inconsistent character
of some who profess it? You are law
yer. In your profession there are mean
and dishonest men. Is that anything
awainst the law? You are doctor.
There are unskilled and contemplate
men in your profession. Is that any
thing against medicine? You are mer-
chant. There are thieves and defraud
ers in your business. Is that anything
against merchandise? Behold, then, the
unfairness of charging upon Christian
ity the wickedness of its disciples. We
admit some of the charges against those
who profess religion. Some of the most
gigantic swindles of the present day
have been carried on by members of
the church.
There are men standing in the front
rank in the churches who would not be
trusted for So without good collateral
security. They leave their business dis
honesties in the vestibule of the church |
as they 60, in and sit at the communion.
Having concluded the sacrament, they
get up, wipe the wine from their lips, |
go out and take up their sins where they
l6lG OH. IL SOIN6 tu6 u6Nl1 10 lIlG1L
ular work, to serve God sort of play
spell. With Sunday sponge they ex-
pect to wipe off from their business slate
all the past weeks Inconsistencies You
have no more right to take such a mans |
life as a specimen of religion than you
have to take the twisted irons and split |
tim bers that lie on the beach at Coney
Island as specimen of an American
ship. 1t is time that we draw line be-
tween religion and the frailties of those
who profess it.
Do you not feel that the Bible, take
it all in all, is about the best book that
the world has ever seen? Do you know
any book that has as much in it? Dc
you not think, upon the whole, that its
influence has been beneficent? come to
you with both hands extended toward
you. In one hand have the Bible and
in the other hand have nothing. This
Bible in one hand will surrender for
ever just as soon as in my other hand
you can put book that is better.
invite you back into the good old
fashioned religion of your fathers, tc
the God whom they worshiped, to the
Bible they read. to the promises on
which they leaned, to the cross OF
which they hung their eternal expecta
tions. You have not been happy day
since you swung off. You will not be
happy a minute until you swing back.
Great Hindranoes.
Again, there may be some who in the
attempt after Christian life will have
to run against powerful passions and
appetites. Perhaps it is disposition to
anger that you have to contend against.
and perhaps, while in very serious
mood, you hear of something that makes
you feel that you must swear or die.
know Christian man who was once so
exasperated that he said to a mean GUS
toner, 81 cannot swear at you myself,
for am member of the church, but if
you will go down stairs my partner in
business will swear at you" All your
good resolutions heretofore have been
'orn to tatters by explosion of temper.
Now, there is no harm in getting mad
# you only get mad at sin. You need
% bride and saddle those hot breathed
passions and with them ride down in
nd