Religious Enthusiasm and Fanaticism
By Methodist Recorder
RELIGIOUS enthusiasm is highly commendable, but religious fanaticism cannot be too carefully guarded against. While men act under the influence of divine truth and correct reason, they cannot be too earnest and devoted in a good work, because their zeal will always be under proper direction and control; but when they act from feeling, and impulse, and the promptings of an excited imagination, claiming for their own vagaries divine inspiration, their zeal is not according to knowledge, but is fanatical, absurd, and dangerous. While men should be zealously affected always in a good cause, they should be careful not to become wise above what is written, and in their own foolish imaginings run into gross absurdities and grievous errors. There are many persons who, under pretense of more than ordinary sanctity, indulge in extravagances that bring a reproach upon the cause of Christ, and instead of winning men to the Saviour, drive them away from God. There is something in true holiness, in genuine consecration to God, that commends religion to every considerate and right-minded person, shows its superiority, convinces the judgment, and impresses the heart. But when men become fanatical, they lose their influence with others, and, instead of promoting, retard the cause of Christ. God's word is our only safe guide. When we take our impulses and impressions and imaginations for the voice of God, we are sure to go astray.—Methodist Recorder.