The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-10-13
REVERENCE.

REVERENCE.
Let US have grace, whereby we may
serve God acceptably with reverence
and godly fear: for our God is a con-
Stunning fre."-Hebrews xii. 1873
1t is commonly thought in various
regions Of the world that to-day we
are producing men who are brave
soldiers, able business men. shrewd
merchants and men clever in numer-
Gus ways. but with little or no re-
ligion in their lives. This ought to
set US to thinking and to seeking the
cause. This seeming apparent may
arise from two causes: one the false
shame or fear of being thought
righteous overmuch. which induces
men to hide their religious feelings:
the other that intolerable arrogance
Of self-suniciency that makes man
scorn the necessity Of help from
Higher Power.
The false shame which lowers Its
own religion and tho harsh judgment
which shows no charity to others
max. up a spirit born only in the
goddess.
Surely for one to pretend to be
worse than he or she Is Is cowardly
way OF denying Christ. Many OF US
might have our lives watched by some
interested observer. and the verdict
would be that We were devout. re-
ligious, reverent and God-fearing. and
vet in our hearts We might not be
any Of these things. Again we find
people who, after q fashion. try to
live a religious life. but lack the cour-
age to come out and stand by the
banner Of their Lord, and SO in their
denial they lose the benefit to their
own souls Of taking a strong, cour-
aseous stand. and making their hearts
and lives agree in act and word ana
Let US reflect seriously on
this subject
Let US try to shake OF the miser-
ably low standard Of religion we have
accustomed ourselves to. Let us put
away this GOODNESS and Indifference
which prevails; 1t not only keeps US
from being our best, but 1t reflects Tor
bad on all around us. It . not neces-
sary to 20 forth and in a boastful way
proclaim our religion. but it Is neces-
sary to so live our lives that every
one who comes in contact with US may
feel and see the effect OF Christianity
and LOYALTY to 1t in our lives
The Pharisee. indeed. who did all
to be seen Of men, had his reward
when they had seen him; and he
deservedly lost all claim on the favor
and blessing of God, and yet We can
in earnest let our light SO shine be-
fore men that without ostentation on
our part all may see that the main
spring Of our lives is the love Of
God.
Do let US try to make our service
one Of reverence and godly fear No
one can have faith in God and yet
allow himself to be irreverent towards
Him, and that Is why it Is 50 neces-
sary to teach the children to have
faith and to cling to 1t ourselves.
The whole world. differing about 50
many things, differing in creed and
rule Of life, yet agrees in this. that
God being our Creator. a certain self
abasement Of the whole man Is the
duty OF the being created.
It 10 . mark Of greatness to be
reyerent. Only the small and trivial
mind makes sport in the presence OF
eternity. II reverence were not
duty we ought to cultivate II out OF
self-respect. Reverence IL an attitude OF
great minds. even II. like Huxley, they
only reverence the unknown source
OF aI-embracing law.
And so in our lives to-day We need
reverence rs We need STABILITY OF pur-
pose and forcefulness in action
Churchgoing offers an opportunity Tor
cuItivatine reverence. But deeper even
than influence Of sonorous music and
a dim. religious light IL the constant
thought. What is man that Thou art
mindful Of him, or the Son Of man that
Thou visitest him. Take that thought
into your heart Make II part OF
your life. that you may serve God
zcceptabiy with reverence and cody
Gear. for our God il a consuming IRE.