"RESPECT FOR THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION."
WE frequently hear it said of great men of the world, when their brilliant actions in the field and their excellent counsels in the cabinet are recounted, that they entertained "great respect for the Christian religion." Even the brethren, some of them, seem to be delighted at such testimony; which, indeed, is no testimony at all, but an ambidexter blow at the religion of Jesus, and subservient to the cause of the Devil in favor of infidelity. This sort of commendation is of incalculable injury to the youth of our land; for as they are taught almost to worship these men on account of their high reputation in other respects, they will be very likely to adopt this notion about "respect" which shall be for them the opening of the broad "road that leadeth to destruction." It is a constituent of our nature to look with admiration upon the wealthy, the titled, and the honored. Hence do the Scriptures continually warn the Christian against idolatry of this and every sort, both in the Old and New Testaments. Not many wise, not many honorable, fall into the ranks of the humble discipleship of the Redeemer. The church of Christ needs not the aid of the wisdom of the world, nor the prestige of honored names among men. The way of salvation is one in which "fools shall not err"—and the crowning glory of the mission of Christ is that "the poor have the gospel preached to them," as is abundantly affirmed in the reply of our Lord to the messenger sent by John. Respect for the Christian religion! We quote from an outside poet in your case: "Dost thou know, thou haughty, feeble man,
That the low insect lurking in the grass,
And the imperial eagle that aloft ploughs the ethereal main,
Are both alike in the Eternal eye?"
And will you, on account of your high position and earthly renown, reserve to yourself the right and the consequence to "respect" the God you should love and worship and adore? Respect for the Christian religion! Have you trembled like Felix, or prayed like the publican? No. Then away with your "respect." There is no soundness in it. Did you really respect the religion of Jesus, you would not act as though you believed it to be untrue. You cannot respect what you think to be falsehood. And you give a practical illustration of your belief so long as you refrain from "bowing before the Lord your Maker and Redeemer."