OLD-FASHIONED RELIGION.
By Geo. I. Butler
This phrase is one we often hear. Sometimes it is mingled with regrets at the disappearance of the article, sometimes with ridicule at the old-fashioned ways. That there has been a great change in religious thought and practice, seems to be generally recognized. Probably no person will claim that the religious sentiment or practice of fifty years ago was perfect, or that grave errors did not exist in connection with them. Neither would any intelligent, candid person dispute but that in some respects improvement is manifest,—greater humanity in the treatment of the unfortunate, the insane, the blind, and other classes; more charity towards those differing in religious belief, and in other directions. How much of this change is to be attributed to the real spirit of Christ, and to proper motives, we will not attempt to say. That there are many noble men and women laboring for the salvation of souls, the amelioration of distress, the success of the temperance cause, and the elevation of the race in intelligence and purity, we would not for a moment question. But there are elements of old-fashioned religion which are greatly missed. The stanch steadfastness, the rugged probity, the simple virtues, the reverence for sacred things, the quiet humbleness of mind, the simplicity of dress and hatred of show and parade, and the love of truth and justice, seen a generation or two back, are not as plenty as we could wish. We must admit there is a lowering down of the standard of right, less of sterling integrity than in the days of our fathers. A laxity of principle seems to be taking its place. Outbreaking crimes are becoming quite common among those in high positions of trust and responsibility, not only in the world, but in the church. How many startling incidents of this kind have the secular papers chronicled in the few years just past,—numerous instances of ministers of the gospel brought to trial for impurity; defalcations in the use of funds among church members. In fact, these things are becoming notoriously common. And, worst of all, we cannot doubt but there is a general feeling of indifference to these things affecting society, which is fraught with great peril to those living in the near future. The foundation principles of morality seem to be losing their influence. It is a question of the deepest interest where these things are going to end. It seems too plainly evident that the current is running the wrong way, and that with great force. Why is this? We believe the professed church of Jesus Christ is largely responsible for this state of things. It is well known that in the great revivals of a century ago, under Wesley, and others, which were such a benefit to the world, the law of God was expounded with great power. The nature of sin, the transgression of the law, was clearly exposed. The certainty of its punishment fully demonstrated. The wicked principles of the carnal heart were opened up to the light of day, and the necessity of heart-felt repentance for every sin was plainly and powerfully enforced. No hope of salvation was extended only upon the condition of obedience to God, and a holy life. Such preaching produced its effects. There was a thoroughness about those conversions, of which it is truly refreshing to think. It was expected that most of those who embraced religion in those revivals would prove steadfast, and become good members of the church. But how different is it now. A new style of preaching is in vogue. Very little is said about the law of God, especially where the seventh-day Sabbath has been taught. The people are not thoroughly instructed as to what the nature of sin is, and hence they cannot understandingly repent of sin. About all the sense many have of it is a vague feeling within them that they have not done right in some things. The heathen has this feeling, hence his efforts to atone for his sin in painful acts of bodily suffering. He knows he is guilty; his conscience troubles him. But he is not intelligent as to what is the trouble. The faithful preacher should expose the sins of the heart, and lay open the corrupt principles of the sinner's life, and show him where he is wrong and the consequences of it, and the sure punishment to follow if persisted in. Then when intelligent repentance takes place, point the poor, sin-sick soul "to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world." The sinner would then feel the need of this dear friend. Because he knew he was mortally sick he would feel the need of a physician. He would prize his help and cling to him with the deepest affection, because he felt it was something of importance to be saved from the terrible consequences of sin. His love and gratitude would correspond with the importance of his help. But this modern preaching says, "Come to Christ," before there is any clear sense of the nature of sin, and before their danger is realized. The heart is not broken; an excitement of feeling bears the crowd along. The feelings are moved by stories, more or less fictitious and sensational. Death-bed scenes are relied upon to move to action, and the consequence is, the whole work is terribly superficial. There is no intelligent surrender of the heart to God to live in obedience to his law, to give up the world and its vanities for the sake of Christ. Many are taught that Jesus has done it all; nothing to do but believe that you are saved now. If you only believe it, that is all there is to it. No doubt Christ has done all of his part of the work, but the sinner has a part also to do. Repent, believe, obey, is the sinner's part. He will need constant help from Christ to enable him to do this. There can be no more dangerous doctrine than this, that there is nothing to do but believe. The whole tenor of Scripture is against it. Christ says, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" "Fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man." "Hereby we do know that we know him if we keep his commandments. He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." "This is the love of God that ye keep his commandments." "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." "Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." Thus saith the Scripture, and not a tittle of it can ever fail. But this doctrine that all we have to do is to believe, is destroying its thousands. A truth but partially expressed may become misleading, yea, actually false. It is true that when a sinner has thoroughly repented of his sins, is penitent and humble before God, and ready to do anything he requires, the only thing then which he can do is to believe and accept Christ as his Saviour. This is the only thing which will save him at this point. If he accepts him with all the heart, he can say, Christ is my only Saviour, he saves me now. But how wrong and misleading to say Christ saves us when we do not repent, and when we utterly refuse to obey God's requirements. Such teaching then would be the basest falsehood. Christ's blood will not benefit him who utterly refuses to obey God. Repent, believe, obey, is the proper order. These faithfully regarded will give us the genuine kind of religion. But the tendency is all the other way. Old-fashioned, hearty repentance for sin is scarce. Heart-searching preaching, laying open heart corruptions, is not plentiful. Smooth things, tickling the ear are preferred. The holy principles of God's law are not enforced. Hence we have a wishy-washy, sensational, emotional religion, founded upon feeling, rather than principle, imbibed during the winter when people have little to do, and soon sweat out in the summer toil. Time after time have we found places where from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty were nominally converted during the winter, and a few months hence a dozen could not be found who would take any part in the prayer and social meeting, or manifest any interest in religion more than the worldling. The present tendency toward formality, and superficial religious experience, is exceedingly sad. It necessarily reminds us of the predictions of Scripture concerning the last days. "The love of many shall wax cold." "When the Son of man cometh shall he find faith on the earth?" "In the last days perilous times shall come; men shall be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away." The times demand a return to the simple, plain, practical, earnest preaching of Christ and his apostles, exposing sin and all its corruptions; to the preaching of God's law, and the necessity of obedience to it; to the preaching of Christ, and the importance of following his example. Among those who will give heed to such preaching, old-fashioned virtues will be seen. Never was there greater need of reform in religious teaching and practice, than now. We want a revival of simplicity in dress, sobriety of deportment, integrity in business, honesty in deal, faithfulness in positions of trust, reverence for sacred things, and in modesty and quietness of deportment. We want God to be enshrined in the heart, to rule in our physical, mental, and moral nature. We want, in short, to take our stand upon the "commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." September 6, 1880. GEO. I. BUTLER.