p. 101 | WHAT IS THE MATTER? by G. D. Ballou

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 19, 1892

WHAT IS THE MATTER?

By G. D. Ballou

BY G. D. BALLOU.

HAVE you not frequently noticed when in society if the name of God or Christ were mentioned in a sincere, reverential manner, even sometimes in professedly Christian society, what a hush came over the conversation and over the feelings, almost if not quite a sense of shame? It seemed so untimely and out of place to introduce such thoughts. And what a relief came as soon as someone started off glibly on some other theme. But how does it affect society in general to hear a man take the name of God in vain? Does any hush come over the hearts of the hearers, any sense of shame? Is the one who uttered the oath made ashamed without a reproof?—No; and often not even by one.

Again, when the pious heathen falls down and worships his god of wood or stone in the market place, and thousands of his fellow heathen are crowding past, does any sense of shame intrude on his feelings of devotion? Are any of his friends shocked at his untimely and out-of-place conduct?—Ah, no! And what does all this mean?—Simply this, that the devil has the control of human thought and sentiment, and is working with all his power to crush out of the hearts of men all sense of reverence and worship for the true God—to make them ashamed to speak or even think of God or his works. But he makes men bold to blaspheme and practice idolatry. And what is your duty in view of this?—"Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." "In all thy ways acknowledge God, and he shall direct thy paths."

Grant's Pass, Or.