Signs of Declension in Piety
EVERY faithful minister who watches with a proper anxiety the spiritual state of his church, will see many things to grieve his heart. The most painfully discouraging, is unmistakable signs of declension in piety. These he can easily discover, and their influence upon his mind and feelings is the greatest trial that he has to endure. The opposition and indifference of the world, the most trying perils of this kind, but nerves him to greater efforts: but to see Christians losing their spirituality and fervency in the service of God, is a trial to his heart that far outweighs them all. To see those to whom he is ministering and for whom he is daily praying, approaching that lukewarm state which was so peculiarly offensive to Christ in the Laodiceans, is inexpressibly painful to his heart. It is not our purpose to mention all the symptoms of this fearful declension. There are four only that we will now name: and 1. Is a complaining of the coldness of the church. Persons are apt to judge of others by their own feelings, and when they are indifferent and neglectful, they imagine others feel and act in the same way. It is a fact that we have long noticed, that Christians who complain most, are in a cold and lifeless state themselves. And the practice of complaining has a deadening influence upon their own heart. 2. The practice of coming later and later to the weekly prayer-meeting, as if it was becoming a task. This practice when once commenced, soon grows into a habit. And then the interest felt, and the enjoyment had, becomes less. And when this is the case, they almost, without being conscious of it, take the 3d step, which is to sit near the door—far off from the minister. When they enjoyed the meeting, and felt a spiritual interest, they occupied a different seat, but now they prefer, for some reason, they can hardly tell why, to sit away back. This may be in itself considered a little thing, but it is an index to the state of the heart—and it has an influence upon the heart. We have marked it for years, and the Christian who will examine faithfully his heart, will find it true. The 4th, is an irregular attendance. As the heart grows cold, excuses for neglecting the prayer-meeting multiply, and finally they can stay at home without an excuse, simply because they feel like it. This is evidence of a fearful state of spiritual indifference, that fills the mind with fears and doubts, and destroys all religious enjoyment. Such Christians are then apt to try the world, and are often driven home through the deep waters of affliction. And in nine cases out of ten, they lay all the blame on their minister. He has become to them so uninteresting that they do not enjoy the meeting, and forgetting that the real cause is in their own heart, they throw the blame of their coldness upon him who is daily laboring and praying for them. These are hastily written thoughts, but solemn truths.—True Witness.