The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1904-03-09
RELIGION AND WoRLDINEss. ;

Recently by Rev, T. Tracy Walsh.
The following are extracts from a
sermon recently preached by Rev. Il.
Tracy Walsh, Rector Of the Church
of the Redeem er, of this city:
Text: "Be not fashioned according
to this age (or confirmed to this
w1rld) but be ye transformed by the
renewing Of your mind, that ye may
prove what is the will of God, even
the thing which is good and accepta-
BILE and perfect" Romans xii 2. Re-
vised Version.
The question is sometimes asked
"Has the Episcopal Church no law
against certain recreations and in
dulgences?"
We have no other rule than Gods
word and an enlightened conscience.
If however, anyone belongs to an or
ganization which does forbid certain
we'll known customs and amusements,
he should abstain, he is bound to obey
the rules or be an inconsistent and
disloyal member. In the Episcopal
Church we warn, we eXhort and re-
buke: we condemn every kind of in
temperance, vice and sin. But. ac-
cording to our Interpretation of Scrip
ture, and our conception of the Church,
we dare not establish fixed rule as
to recreations and indulgences.
There is however rule of conscience
and common sense for every christian
who is in doubt as to what he may
properly and lawfully do. Just ask
yourself the question-Could / invoke
Gods blessing upon what l am about
to do? Could bring it into His pre-
sence? If so, all is well.
Let no one imagine that he may in
dulge himself when. where or how he
may choose. You must not-there
are some things which you may never
do. not because OF any Inherent evil,
but because the doing may lead to sin.
ST. Paul says in his lst EpiStle to
Timothy. Every creature of God
is good (that is every thing made by
Cod and nothing to be refused II it
be received with thanksgiving" But,
alas. these gifts Of 4 provident Father
are not so received.
Because men and women have made,
and arc now making, brutcS OF them
selves, because they have degraded
the pleasures that God allows US into
Instruments of dissi patton, last and
every imaginable vice, pure minded
people are often deprived OF many in
noccnt pleasures.
Good and harmlss things have so
long been associated with denS Of in
fanny and vice, and the perverted use
of them has brought SO much sorrow
and misery among US, that many OF
our pious people mistake the use for
the abuse and are shocked that any
christian should venture to approve
of them. Nevertheless, they are
pleasures that a kind and loving
Father has allowed to his children,
and if we are pure they would be pure
w nsed and enjoyed. But, sad 70 say
many are so weak so basely migrate
full, with Gods gifts that the most
temperate must often refrain and
deny themselves altogether. How
ever innocent our indulgences, we
may sometimes cause weaker
brother or sister to 60 astray. Our
privileges involve awful responsibili-
hn fnn rnfn1
what we do or how we speak.
Then-"Are we never to indulge
ourselves in what are known as world
ly' amuSements?h
That would depend upon, where,
how, when, and with whom.
Moreover, when you do indulge in
these pleasures remember. always, to
invite your best friend to be there.
Ask Jesus, who attended feasts and
supperS, to come and halloW all by
His blessed presence.
If you would be glad to have Jesus
be with you and see what you are do
ing-If you can feel that He is looking
on with approbation-it is we'll. st.
John says, Beloved, If our heart
condemn us not, then have we con-
fidence towards Cod" But, my friend,
if you feel guilty when you do these
things, it means that you are aSham-
ed to have Jesus see and know. Then
in Gods name ] bid you, refrain.
a gentleman, once finding his
friend, a devout christian, playing a
certain. popular game, exclaimed
"What would you do If your Lord ap-
peared to you now? Play on" he
replied, for He is always with me
Blessed be his name..'
Oh, if we all had that mans loving
trust 10 Jesus; if We never went where
we would be ashamed TO have our best
Friend with us; if He we're always
welcome to bless and guide-there
would be very little sin and misery in
the world today 4
Our Heavenly Father could have
His children happy, yet so weak is
our nature, that things which should
be blessings, become menaces to our
spiritual life and tend to ALLEVIATE our
affections from God. 1t is a fact that
christians sometimes allow pure and
innocent things Of this world to come
between them and their religious
duties. For example, there may be
various reasons for the small atten-
dance upon week day services, yet the