SUGAR-COATED RELIGION

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 22, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 49.

SUGAR-COATED RELIGION.

BUNYAN speaks of religion as going in "silver slippers." In these times, to make it popular, it is sugar-coated. Its hard doctrines are smoothed down. Old-fashioned Bible orthodoxy is largely modified. The Slough of Despond is filled up, or bridged over. Saints and sinners mingle in free converse, and who are the saints and who the sinners it were not easy to tell. The more "jolly" the minister, the more popular.

Since the time that Bunyan's Pilgrim traveled the road to the celestial city, matters have greatly improved. Were he to travel it again, he would not recognize it as the same. It is by no means the rough and perilous road that it was in his day. There are now no foes to be met, no battles to be fought, no chained lions even to frighten the traveler. And, instead of trudging along afoot, staff in hand, at a slow and weary pace, he may speed his way in the cars, and Pullman cars, too, supplied with all desirable comforts.

But, alas, the end! It were well to consider that. Will all these pilgrims arrive at last at the "city that hath foundations"? Is the road that they are traveling the right and the safe road? Will they awake at last and find themselves in Heaven? Will their religion stand the test of the great trying day? When the great separation shall then be made, will all these easy-going pilgrims be found to have traveled the way that leadeth unto everlasting life? The Saviour teaches that that way is a way of repentance, of faith, of self-denial, of humility, of renunciation of the world, and of holy living. He also teaches that many at last will find themselves to have been mistaken. He says: "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord." "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me."—Clericus, in New York Observer.