The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1900-03-29
Consistency.

Every member of Christ's visible church
has publicly declared his belief in God'
and in his son, Jesus Christ, and III the
Holy Ghost, and in the church OF COD.
He has also declared his belief in the
Bible as the word of God, and has declared
his purpose to make it his rule OF faith
and practice. This is the very least that
real Christian can profess to believe. A
faith that does not go this far would not
admit him to the communion OF any
church, nor will anything short OF this
admit him into the kingdom of heaven
Ordinarily, men are right careful OF
their reputation for veracity and consist
ency; and man who is not, can hardly
be considered trustworthy. How then
are we to account for the conduct OF so
MANY members of the church? The
only answer is that we are only playing at
religion. AS children sometimes say, we
lust make like" When Elijah would
prove the sincerity of the 1srealites who
had professed faith in God, he said 'if God
be God, follow him; but if Baal, then fol-
low him." This would at least be con-
sistency. While our God is God of JUS
tice and will judge us at the last day &C
cording to our works, he delights also in
mercy. and offers it to all who will seek
him through his Son. The best Christian,
not to say the most inconsistent, realizes
that he stands in constant need of Gods
mercy and grace. Should there come
time in his experience, which often will
come, when he feels that his evil ways
have separated between him and his God,
his CRY will be 90, that knew where l
might find him, that I might come even
to his seat I would order my cause be-
fore him, and fill my mouth with argu-
ments. would know the words which
he would answer me, and understand
what he would say unto me-" Surely 1t
is no new thing under the sun to say that
true Christian will seek Gods presence
and love the place where His Honor
dwelleth. The Psalmist said, Il would
rather be doorkeeper in the house OF
INV God than to dwell in the tents of
wickedness." Again Il was glad when
they said unto me, let US go unto the
Lord" This was because he knew that
in Gods house was where His people
would be honored with the Divine
Presence. This same God is 1.-The same
Yesterday today and forever" His promis-
es are many in which he declares himself
present with his people when they meet
to worship. We quote one significant
passage: where two or three are gather
ed together in my name, there am l IN the
midst of them" If it should be announc-
ed that President Mckinley would attend
prayermeeting in the Methodist church
on Wednesday night the church could not
accommodate the people. But Jesus
Christ may state his intention of being
present, and hardly a,score of people will
be present to greet him. 0, what incon-
sistency! But you say, 1 don't particu-
larly like the man who is to lead the meet
ing. His talks are not entertaining to me.
Then you 60 to church because OF your
respect of man or to be entertained by
his eloquence, and not that you may wor-
ship God Eloquent men have no monop-
oily on the Divine Presence. Brother,
sister, be consistent. Say you do not be-
lieve that Christ is present with his peo-
pie when they worship, or admit you DO
not care to meet him. 0, what is to be-
come of such inconsistent church men,
bers? Il would thou vert cold or hot,
and because thou art lukewarm and Meth
er cold nor hot l will spew thee out OF
nv mouth" Woe to them that are at
ease in Zion" Now therefore, fear the
Lord, and serve him IN sincerity and III
truth, and if it seem evil, or useless unto
YOU to serve the Lord, choose you this
day whom you will serve" Josh. "A, IA,
Is. Consistency, thou art a jewel"
TIC. O'DELL.