“Have Any of the Rulers Believed on Him?”
At the present day, fashion and popular opinion exercise a controlling influence over the great mass of the community, the world is slow to investigate any theory, that has not the sanction of those, whose opinions are law, in the minds of men; but if an opinion is advanced by some lecturer who is popular, however ridiculous and untenable his position may be, the mouths of a gaping audience are open, ready to swallow the most fanciful illusions, and applaud the most sophistical deductions. It has thus been in all ages. All great and noble enterprises which have been commenced by those in the more humble walks of life, have even been disregarded and neglected, until the notice of some one, whom the world calls honorable, may have been directed towards it; and then it has received a new impulse, has been received into popular favor, and honored by the plaudits of the people. On the other hand, the vagaries and fancies of the leaders of the literary ton, have at once astonished the world, have been a nine day's wonder, and then sunk into merited oblivion to be remembered no more. We thus find that some of the most immutable principles that have ever been discovered, have had to struggle a long time for a precarious existence, ere they have been established upon a firm basis; while vagaries like meteors have dazzled, for a time, the world, and been forgotten. The progress of the Christian religion, has been a most striking exemplification of the above truth. Our Saviour was despised and rejected of men; and to be his friend was to encounter the most bitter contempt. Any connection with him was so unpopular, that when one of the teachers in Israel sought his counsel, he chose the night for an interview. The gospel was first promulgated by twelve fishermen; and persecution and contempt was their portion. Not many wise, not many mighty, not many of the noble of this world, submitted to their teachings; and therefore the tide of popular sentiment set against them. None united with them but such as were willing to face a frowning world for the sweet smiles of a Saviour's love; and who could rise above all fear of man. But when a Constantine embraced the faith, that which had been so long despised, received the sanction of the great and mighty, and popular favor was at once reconciled to it. Then the church became corrupt, and men of the world, for the sake of honor from men, rushed into it, till the purity of its doctrines was corrupted, and its Spirit dead. This fear towards God was taught by the precepts of men; and they drew near to him with their mouths, while their hearts were far from him, and substituted the teaching of their own wisdom, for the teachings of the Holy Spirit. The fires of persecution have often refined and purified the moral wastes of Zion; cleansed it of its merely worldly adherents, and brought it near to God; but prosperity has as often again rendered it corrupt: the great rock upon which it has so often grounded having been the favor of this world. In these last days, the church has had a long season of prosperity, and the world has smiled sweetly upon her. Multitudes have endeavored to propitiate the favor of both the church and the world, and have extended their hands to both. The church has thus become popular, and the cross of publicly professing the name of Christ has been taken away. Now, instead of encountering public odium, persecutions and death, those who eat his body and drink his blood are caressed, courted and flattered, and are honored for so doing. Need we then wonder that so many are found within the walls of Zion, who have a name to live and are dead, whose names are written on the records of the church, and there alone; and whose death-like coldness, chills and paralyzes the hopes and feelings of all who come in contact with them? Need we wonder that it has caused the church to become, as a body, indifferent to the cause of her Redeemer, and dead to spiritual realities? The great object is to receive honor of men, and to commend themselves to their good opinion. We need not therefore wonder that the church and the world are found arrayed side by side, to oppose the coming of our Lord. For, as true as the carnal heart is at enmity with God, just so sure will the world turn a deaf ear to the heavenly warnings; and as the church is swallowed up in this world's prosperity, just so sure will she also turn her back upon him. How will the world think of me, if I believe that the great and glorious Saviour will soon be revealed from heaven, to give every man according to his deeds? Do the great, and the noble, the mighty, and the honored of this world, regard it with favor? Do any of the rulers believe it? These are the points which are first to be settled, and then they act accordingly. No! fellow-traveler to eternity, we are willing to admit that we are not the honored of this world; yet we trust we have a King for our patron. We are not those that receive praise of men, and we are willing to have our portion with the despised Galilean, and his poor fishermen. We are willing, for the favor of God, to encounter the sneers of men, and to be made the offscouring of all things for Christ's sake. And O, sinner, beware how you slight the offers of him, who was crucified for your transgressions; beware how you refuse to listen; for the favor of this world cannot save you. At the judgment-seat of Christ you must shortly appear, and there no man can plead thy cause. None of the great of this earth can then avert thy doom, for there thou must stand or fall for thyself. O haste and make thy Judge thy friend, before it is forever too late.