The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-06-24
QUESTIONS or RELIGION.

QUESTIONS OF RELIGION.
Neglect by the Church and IT'S Membcrs OF the
Practical Teachings Of Christ.
To THE EDITOR oP The SUS-Su The
tendency Is to emphasize the piedstio or de-
votional side Of religion at the expense OF the
practical or that which pertains TO conduct and
Righteousness, and 1t Is a tendency. but Is COM
mon 10 all religions. More than one-half OF the
Ten Commandments OF the ancient Jewish
code pertain to conduct and righteousness. yet
In the course OF time the Offering OF sacrifices
became considered the essential part OF religion.
There are repeated protests Ia tho Bible against
this false conception: TO do justice and
judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than
sacrifice" The sacrifices OF God are a broken
spirit" Hath the Lord As great delight in
burnt offerings and sacrifices as In obeying the
voice Of the Iordp Behold. to obey is better
than sacrifice and 10 hearken than the fat OF
rams The sacrifice Of the wicked Is an abom-
instion to the Lord: but the prayer OF the up-
right is HIS delight" For ! desire mercy and
not sacrifice; and a knowledge OF God more
than burnt offerings"
Much In Christ. teachings "a distinctly prao-
$500 ~ SubSs a. ~ ~
eousness. In giving the new commandment He
lid not say BE more s~anctmonious" or DO
more acts OF special DEVOTION but simply
love one another" which Is the principle OF the
Golden Rule. The Sermon on the Mount Is al
most wholly practical. and likewise many OF the
parallels and teachings have a practical rather
than a distinctly spiritual signifcance-as the
psrsbles Of the talents. OF the sheep and goats.
~ tha tune laAtor. 80 - A. .n1a C,a,ar.o,
Matthew vii. 7l-2s teaches the unacceptable
ness Of one-sided religion: Not every one that
saith unto me. Lord, Lord. shall enter into the
kingdom Of heaven. but he that doeth the will
Of my Father which Is In heaven. Many will
say 20 me In that day. Lord. Lord. have We not
prophesied in thy name1 and in thy name have
cast out devils' and in thy name done many
wonderful works' and then will l profess unto
them. l never knew you; depart from me ye
that work iniqulty." The Soriptural test Of
true religion Is not real. nor enthusiasm. nor
great exhibitions OF piety. but fruits. where
fore by their fruits ye shall know them"
1t IL evident from the Ep!stles that this ono
sided tendency was early felt In the Christian
church. The practical side Of Christianity was
overehado wed by other matters-as circumci-
sion. the eating OF meats previously offered to
idols. the observance OF special days and feasts,
special gifts and the immediate return OF the
Lord. Over and over are tho believers enjoined
to cultivate the different virtues and maintain
righteous lives.
This tendency Is seen now IN thu current
Christianity. Who ever heard OF q convention
for practical Christianity But conventions ''for
the deepening Of the spiritual life are common
II is seen .also. In the conduct Of many professed
Christians. They SANDER. ~criticise. ridicule,
even lie. deceive. nisrepresent and resort to
low. underhanded means to further their pur-
poses. Still. again. this one-sided tendency 10
seen In the silent liberation Of unrighteousnsss
by the Christian Church. The test for member
ship 10 the evangelical denominations Is a pro-
fession. Little or no consideration IA given 10
these practical forms OF unrishteousness.
This one-sided tendency. by it, failure to give
prover emphasis TO the practical side Of religion.
ID the greatest hindranoe to the progress Of
Christianity. 1t drives good people away from
the Church and prejudices the world against
her because OF her liberation Of the unrighteous-
ness practised by processing Christians Is II
strange when people who have been wilfully
injured and defrauded by church people turn
with Asgust from the Church and have little
faith In the sincerity OF any one, and that some
men. although church attendants and exem-
plary in their lives. never become protesting
Christians?
Thu world cares little for preaching, creeds
and professions: II It had II would have been
converted long ago. Tho world judges from
the practical side. II Is the true, honest,
righteous. sincere daily life, enriched by
Christian grace. that Is seen and read by all
mep. You may attend religious conventions
and feel greatly blessed. think that you have
received a second baptism OF grace. but II you
come back TO continue to drive as sharp trades
as ever. to SANDER and misrcpresent your neigh
bors and exhibit the mean traits OF character,
how can you expect to inspire your irreligious
neighbors with respect for the excellency OF
your religion or the benefit Of the conventions
you attend?
The great need Of both the Church and the
world Is greater emphasis on the practical side
OF Christianity -not necessarily less on the mys-
teal or spiritual. A perfect religion, among
other things. IL one In which proper emphasis
is given to both elements. A religion founded
or either the mystical side alone or the prac-
teal side alone 10 a religious monstrosity. As
the sacrifices were incomplete without the con-
trite heart. and as faith is incomr leto without
works. so are zeal. devotion and spirituality
incomplete without the fruits Of righteousness
Let the Christian Church be less tolerant toward
the genteel forms OF unriehteousness and less
anxious TO please the world. Let greater en-
phass be put on the Christ spirit exempllfed
in daily conduct. and less on crccds and pro-
f~essions. Then would the Church have an
influence and a power never Possessed by IL.
She would be the light Of the world and the salt
of the earth for righteousness. Justice and
honor. not merely in nnme, but in very deed,
and the world would recognize the value of
religion as never before. L.. r. BLANCHARD.
PoCLrSEY. Vt, June ~.
THE EVERLASTING FIRE.