Sensational Religion by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 5, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 10.

Sensational Religion.

By Editor

THE following account of an occurrence in Ohio we take from the San Francisco Evening Bulletin: “The late incident of religious mania occurring in Ohio, is but a repetition of what has been recorded from time immemorial. The subject of conversion in this case is a rich German infidel, named Dongel. The excitement on the occasion of his ‘finding grace at the mourner’s bench’ was most intense, owing, perhaps, to his previously pronounced antagonism to religion in all its forms. Women were thrown into convulsions, and strong men were so excited that ‘benches were pulled up, men picked up chairs and smashed them against the walls, while crowds marched up and down the aisles, singing and shouting in their mad joy.’ The new found Christianity of the convert would seem to have been of the muscular character, inasmuch as ‘he sprang up suddenly, knocking the minister violently against the pulpit, cutting his head and face severely.’ Becoming possessed of the idea that he should provide for the object of his belligerency, he not only took all his own available funds, but also scooped in by force that of his neighbors, and carried it to the manse. As a dramatic close to his conversion, he appeared at the evening meeting with a rude crown of thorns on his head, and, ascending the pulpit, announced that he was Christ come to judge the world. Not until after illustrating his idea of punishment on several of the congregation, who essayed to restrain him, was he secured and confined. As things stand, it may be an open question whether Dongel is now a better or more useful member of society than he was in his unregenerate state.”

Mere sensationalism in religion, a following of feelings and impressions instead of being guided by the truth of the sacred word, is the curse of the church and the world; yet it is fast becoming the religion of the age,—the only form of religion which is supposed to be attended with genuine “power.” Of this sort is the work of the “salvation army,” of the “perfectionists,” or “holiness bands.” Invariably when we have tried to move this class by an appeal to the Scriptures they have turned away from it and referred to their “internal evidence,” or “inner consciousness” as their cousins, the Spiritualists, term it, and boasted that God spoke to them right in their soul; that they learned their duty, not in a written word, but in answer to prayer, by the direct leading of the Spirit. Their feelings or impressions are, to them, the revelations of God’s will, more satisfactory than anything to be learned from the Bible. Of course they do not profess to ignore the Bible; but we have always found that they did ignore the teachings of the word when put to the test; when the words of the Scriptures conflicted with their feelings.

This sort of religion we say is becoming popular. It readily takes with the self-conceited, and with all those who want an easy religion—one which does not require the patient searching of the Scriptures. That is a religion which allows every one to “go as you please,” for there is no limit to the “Christian liberty” (falsely so called) which allows each heart to choose its own path,—to follow in the way of its own suggestions and devisings.

But many are responsible for this state of things who would be ashamed to be found amid such scenes as those described in this extract. All those who teach that keeping the commandments of God is not requisite in Christian life; that in Christ we are released from the precepts of God’s “ten words;” that we are not bound by the strict construction of the law of the Sabbath, and other precepts; all these are kindling the fire which bursts out in such freaks of fanatical frenzy as those here noticed. Doubtless the poor man might have been saved from insanity if there had been a particle of wisdom from above in the congregation; if they had known the Scripture truth that “God is not the author of confusion,” and listened to the divine injunction to “let all things be done decently and in order.” But losing sight of the divine word, they acted as they “felt,” and the result is seen.

We do not expect that they who preach to staid and fashionable congregations will be brought to consider their way, even with such examples before them. They must have “liberty” to choose or reject the precepts of Jehovah, to walk in the counsel of the world and of their own hearts, and they cannot afford to inquire into the relation of their preaching to such wild fanaticism as is fast taking possession of the religious world. May the Lord help his “little flock” in these days of fables to “hold fast the form of sound words.”