Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-12-02
TURNING TO GOD.


BY Arehdeacon Sinclair
There is joy in the presence of the
angels of God over one sinner that re-
penteth.-St. Luke, XIV, 10.
Most men believe in a general kind
of way that there is God and thai
they have soul. They know that
they ought to worship God and TO save
their souls. To worship God is easily
performed by attending church on Sun
day and, perhaps, by a few private
prayers. The saving of the soul is no
less easily accomplished, according to
these people, by believing in the atom
ing sacrifice of Christ as fact and
making some endeayors TO keep the ten
commandments.
That Is not an unusual form of re-
llgion. But although any faith is bet
ter than none, yet there is not much
there to make the angels sing. Such a
form of religion Will not bring much
happiness with it, nor will it 90 far 10
renew the world, because it is not what
has been set before us by God himself.
1t is n cold, unmoying, un5atisfying re
ligion, or, at Tue best tepid And we
know what Got said by his apostle
St. JOAN about those who are luke
warm, because thou art neither hot
nor cold will spew thee out of my
mouth"
Then. what is this repentance OF
turning from sin? Well, look at it in
this way. God is that spirit of good
ness who is everywhere present
throughout the creation, who has CIV en-
to us men, who are the highest part
at any rate. of the visible creation
the duty of realizing him, hearing him
loving him as the essence and spirit OF
goodness with all our hearts and walk,
ing in his ways, not merely for his
honor nd glory, though perhaps, after
all. it is the same thing, but for our
own happiness and well being. Now
even in the common things of life, un.
less YOU really care for some object
which comes before you, unless, that is
to say in the language of scripture
you "love Il with your whole heart il
will not have much effect upon you.
Suppose a man thought, in a general
way, that he ought to be educated and
yet never really took any trouble with
his books and lessons, he would remain
very much where he was.
Suppose a man was filed with the
idea that he ought to be great paint
er and yet never studied anatomy,
color or perspective; no one would look
at his productions. Or take brick
layer. a mason, a carpenter, or a
plumber. who thought he could be
come a good workman by mZrely TAX
ing his implements IN his hand and did
not devote himself to learning the i'm
portant points and secrets of his trade,
you would know well what kind OF
workman he would be To any one who
was foolish enough to employ him.
In everything alike, zeal or an alb
sorbing interest is necessary for effec-
tive work SO it is with the great con-
Germ which contains all others-our re-
ligion.
What is the state of your feelings to-
wards God? Remember, it is only to
those who. ia this way, seek him with
the whole heart, that God promises
that he will be found. Thou shalt love
the Lord thy God with all thy heart,
and with all thy soul, and with all thy
mind" Cod the spirit and essence OF
goodness and truth and beauty.
You could not, OF course, feel much
personal affection or interest for a
Il ,,s,I,r, \
his word God has revealed himself as
not only the source but the personal,
living King and Father of all goodness,
strength, loving kindness, pity, purity,
light. love. and every conceivable yir-
tue, excellence, and happiness.
know how many competing things
there are to keep us day by day from
turning to God The daily affairs of
life, the associations of business, home,
and ordinary occupations, these humble
things are often, in combination strong
enough to keep us back from looking
various Kinds of pleasures and amuse-
ments which to many, especially those
in the light spirits of youth, are still
more powerful hindlance.
And then, again, those who try 20
hold on to God always have been SUI
rounded by unbelievers. with whom we
are obliged TO mix and whose habits
ard conversation we share.
Worse than all, there are the sinful
uncleanliness of our own natures.
Nothing is nearly so successful as this
in making us hide ourselves from the
face of God. live drug our con-
sciences or give way to our inherent
selishness. or seeS always our own OBJ
jects, or give loose rein TO rivalries,
jealousies, dlslikes. contempt, scorn,
and all their kindred evil passions,
then if Is impossible for us to turn to
God, because our hearts are already
largely occupied by those spirits which
are essentially hostile and antagonistic
TO him.
PREDICTS aLTRUISTIC AGE.
BwRev. JEHkin Lloyd Jones.