THERE was a time when the Christian world was satisfied with the real in life, and cared but little for the company of unbelievers, either for pleasure or profit. They did not hold that no relations should be sustained with them, but that they should not be received as familiar friends. To keep no company with the world, one “must needs go out of it,” but there can and should be a distinct line of separation. “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord. . . . And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” If this language was ever of force, it must be now; for professed Christians are found assimilated with almost every phase of life. Nothing can be more displeasing to God than an unlawful connection with the world, and yet among professed Christians, the transition from grave to gay is apparently as easy as the ebb and flow of the sea. It is no uncommon thing for men to come from the heated arena of political strife, or from dabbling in stocks, to the deeply contrasted atmosphere of the prayer-meeting. Nothing that they may have done at these places seems to abate their fervor, and the features are lighted up and the eye sparkles with an apparent blessing. The world is full of deceptions, but none are so subtle as those of a religious nature; for such take hold of eternity. Religion to-day is too much like a robe that can be taken off or put on at pleasure. One suit is kept for business; another for the prayer-meeting and the Sabbath. It is too common to hear the expression that business is one thing and religion quite another. Such opinions would never become universal, had not the church in a great measure severed its connection with Christ; in other words, worldly interests and associations have hidden the Master from view. A gentleman called at the shop of a smith, not long since, to have some repairs made to his buggy. This man was a minister, and in the course of conversation remarked that he believed religion could be laid aside and resumed at pleasure; and asked the workman what he thought of it. The man was not a Christian, but replied that, in his opinion, true conversion was designed to be of permanent benefit, and could not at any time be put away without serious loss. “My experience,” said the preacher, “proves my statement to be true; for I said to the Lord before entering the army, knowing it would be a hard place for a Christian, that if he would allow me to serve the devil while there, I would again yield allegiance to him when safely out. This I did, and here I am preaching again, and I do not see but his blessing is with me as much as it was before.” The smith could not help remarking that his religion must have been spurious at first, and no better now. Such lax ideas of what constitutes true morality can only bring those within their influence to the same level. It cannot be denied that the man was well answered; and it is to be regretted that so many having itching ears are tolerated in this age as teachers of the people. Whether this is applied to teachers or people it is equally true; for “the priests bear rule by the means, and the people love to have it so.” It is true wisdom in those who love the present truth especially, to keep wholly within its influence. There is enough trouble for those whom the truth separates in feeling from their surroundings, without the addition of unnecessary burdens. It is not seldom that Matt. 10:34 is fulfilled. Certainly it cannot be that the truth is to be blamed, or those that bear it. The blame must fall on such as will not receive it in the love of it. There is, at times, bitter anguish for those who would live for God, because opposed by husband or wife, son or daughter. It requires no little sacrifice to sever such close connections, if they must be severed on account of faith and practice; and we can decide that it is right only when it is considered that the dearest of friends cannot stand between us and the decisions of the Judgment. If the Lord did not look upon the heart-aches, and number each tear and pang, and give the consolation of his Spirit, these separations would indeed be unbearable, but this knowledge makes the prospect of final victory a priceless and holy rapture. How soon is the expectation to be realized! Observing the difficulties in the pathway of others, should we inconsiderately plunge ourselves into the same? Should self or selfish interests be gratified at the expense of a well-grounded hope? Who would turn away from light and deliberately go into darkness? And who, having in full view the path which others have trod till faith is blunted and hope is lost, would trace their steps to the same bitter end? Looking at times upon those who profess, and seem to have an ardent love for, the precious truth and work for the last days, and then seeing them, apparently without one reflection, placing themselves where it is next to impossible to follow their honest convictions, their course becomes a matter of the greatest wonder and astonishment. It would be hard to point to purely earthly pleasure that is enduring. What are supposed to be diamonds or pearls, are found to be baubles of but little worth, and disappointment, like a canker, eats away enjoyment. Happy the man who can learn by observation that which, should he learn it by experience, would make him neither better nor wiser! And is it not time to be released from every anxious care—to be placed in the best possible relations with truth and those that love it—and to turn away from every injurious association and unholy influence? We may be thrown into company which we dare not keep; we may enter places in which we must not linger. Acquaintances may, and will, be formed that cannot, without loss, be sustained; for virtue is a plant that a breath may blight, and none can know too well the power of a good name and an unblemished reputation. No other associations that gather around us are such subtle inducements to evil as those that are inanimate. The literature of the day is the bane of pure and holy thoughts and heavenly aspirations. The unholy adventures, real or imaginary, of brigands and burglars, knights and warriors, kings and queens, all combine to nip the germs of morality, as an untimely frost the tender plant. The assassin of human life is condemned as a murderer, but the deadliest aims at virtue and true morality are sometimes looked upon with complacency, if not with favor, by the professedly good. Thousands feel the degrading captivity which a love for romance brings, yet, like the folds of a serpent, it tightens its grasp, and powerless to release themselves, they become as really slaves as the veriest wretch that ever toiled in chains. While at the house of a friend a few years ago, an opportunity was offered me of witnessing his appreciation of efforts to spread this enervating poison. A man called with the Literary Companion, soliciting subscriptions; a beautiful picture was offered as an additional inducement for subscribing. The gentleman of the house was not at home, but a young lady who was present, a member of the family, told him that such reading was not allowed in the house. He wished to leave a copy for examination. She would not at first permit it, but finally consented, still protesting that it would be of no avail as Mr. W. had no love for such things. The man of the house returned and having his attention called to the paper thrust it indignantly into the fire, feeling much as if he were grinding beneath his heel the head of a serpent. In many places search is made in vain for a Bible or religious books, but that which is well-named light literature, embossed in gilt, fills the book case and decks the center table. Truth will sometimes affect the heart under such circumstances and drive the danger from the door, but oftener it is powerless to arrest the attention and convince the mind. Novel readers do not realize that life is made up of real burdens and much that is real sorrow, with enough of joy for contrast, that the affections may cling to that which is unclouded in the world to come. The accursed thing is in many a household and thousands who look with just abhorrence at outbreaks of depraved hearts, seem not to realize the causes. Yet ministers, deacons, and lay members, are engaged in this pernicious traffic. “Give me,” said a lady, “a Bible to read and I can go to sleep in ten minutes; but let me have the Ledger and I can easily keep awake half the night.” So it is nearly everywhere. The Bible is upon the table or shelf in undisturbed repose, dust accumulated upon the cover, the gilt unchafed from its edges, and its leaves unthumbed; but the weeklies and the monthlies which are admitted to be only tissues of falsehood, are borrowed and loaned till life is seen in its falsest light, and every bitter drop of discontent is drunk to the very dregs. A woman now comes to mind who was married when very young, no doubt as the result of novel reading. Perhaps she might have been happy; but habits already acquired induced neglect of home duties. Calling there upon business, I found her at nearly eleven o’clock forgetful, in her own selfish enjoyment drawn from a trashy story, of the two uncared-for children, who waited her attention. The breakfast table still stood in the middle of the floor; her hair was uncombed, and her dress unchanged. She lived long enough to be estranged from home—to see her children scattered—and died. Who is to blame? Take this class of authors from lowest to highest, and tekel may be written upon them all. Then read Rev. 22:15, last clause, and ask, Is it true that lovers and makers of lies shall sink to one common ruin? If all liars have their part in the lake of fire, does it not mean those of every shade and degree? One has truly said that “the value of a book may be justly determined by the spirit in which it is laid down.” If, in its perusal, aspirations have become purer and holier, if a deeper regard for virtue and a more exalted courage fill the mind, then it is worth the reading. The same may be said of every association that men may form. One point still should claim earnest attention. It is well known that we claim that the fourth commandment is now, as it was in the days of Moses, the test of allegiance to God. Suppose it was some other command. In looking back over the history of the past, it will be seen that in the time of Elijah the second commandment was the test. How did the Lord look upon the people who transgressed it? Is it not to be supposed that the relations then sustained socially and religiously were precious to the servants of Baal? Do not the words of Moses, “Who is on the Lord’s side,” spoken on an occasion when it was necessary to break these relations, call for the exercise of reason and judgment? And are these things, as the apostle affirms, written for our admonition? Can we for a moment think that our God, who is unchangeable, is less particular to-day than he was then? Read Ex. 32:27–29, and reflect upon the scenes then enacted. Were not hearts stricken in the decisions and separations of that hour? The Lord does not love our friends because we love them. His regard is bestowed for more just and weighty reasons. Love of husband or children, could not save Lot’s wife, and the sons-in-law of Lot were suffered to mock him, although he sought to save them. Will a doubtful sincerity that leads astray arrest justice? It cannot be doubted that affections were dearly cherished, and some, at least, of the relations of life deeply regarded by the multitudes who have perished. None of them have lacked but one thing, and that was obedience to the will of God. Now what shall we do? Shall excuses, they cannot be called reasons, affect the decisions upon which eternal destinies are suspended? Shall pastors or teachers, who are highly esteemed, stand between us and duty? Shall bosom friends, even in the family circle, cause us to be unprepared for the Judgment? We can save neither son nor daughter, and our own souls only by faithfulness. There is no promise to the vacillating or to those whom supineness keeps from the way of life. To the hardened wretch who has loved his sin, the day of doom will be a day of darkness and gloom; but to the trembling soul that has neglected to obtain so great salvation, or to retain it when within the grasp, it will be a nameless terror. Though all else be forgotten, may this be remembered, that if enjoyment is sought in our own way it will be lost to ourselves and others; but if the counsel of the Lord is followed it will be saved to both. He says: “Keep my commandments and live, and my law as the apple of thine eye.” D. H. LAMSON.
Carsonville, Sanilac Co., Mich.