PRACTICAL RELIGION

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Nov 24, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 45.

PRACTICAL RELIGION.

THERE are many religious speculations that are very interesting and entertaining, but at the same time very unprofitable. What men need to know, and what they should desire above everything else to know about religion, is of a practical character—that which bears directly on their present and everlasting salvation. There are mysteries everywhere, pertaining to the great First Cause, the origin of the universe, ourselves, and the operations of nature around us, which we would love to grasp, but which are beyond our reach, and which perhaps we will never be able fully to comprehend.

It is natural for us to desire to penetrate these mysteries and to discover the great secrets of God and nature. But why should we amuse ourselves with vain conjectures about things above our capacity, and which have no direct bearing upon our true happiness, while the great practical truths of religion, pertaining to the every-day duties of life, and involving our highest interests here and hereafter, are neglected?

Anyone who will attentively read the New Testament will discover that the religion inculcated by Jesus Christ is not a speculative religion, but a religion founded on facts, pertaining to the condition of the soul, the practical duties of life, our relation to God, and our future destiny as determined by our conduct here. These are the things that immediately concern us, and to which we should give earnest attention. Experimental, practical religion is the only kind of religion that is of real value to us, and this, instead of abstract speculations, should occupy our chief thought.—Selected.