When the Feelings Are Not Stirred
By J. A. L. DERBY.
THE neutral state is a common experience, as regards feeling, even to the Christian,—the neutral state, no positive feeling that one wants to do wrong, no decided feeling of interest in doing right. This is a valuable experience if rightly used; for true religion is not a matter of feeling in any degree. It is a matter of principle. The best time to learn how to live by principle is when the feelings are in the neutral state. It is then possible to do right simply because of the fact that we know it to be right, not because we feel right. Seasons of "brain storm," either of passion or of religious fervor, are poor times to begin our training in living by principle. Thank God for times of indifference of feeling. Let such times be filled with every possible practise of Christian activity, prayer, praise, work for souls, or whatever the occasion affords. J. A. L. DERBY.