ONE of the first developed principles of man is imitation. One of the ruling traits in man's life is imitation. The infant that smiles in the face of its fond mother, does so because it first sees its mother smile. The child that begins to articulate words, does so because it hears others. The boy that marches in military pride, with a feather in his cap, and a wooden sword by his side, does so to imitate the martial man. The girl that wants some pretty flowers to decorate her bonnet, or some jewelry to adorn her head or hands, does so because she sees others wear them.
The young man that wears that fine plaited bosom, adorned with some article of jewelry, does so to be in keeping with his companions; not that there is any value in artificials, in the finely plaited linen or jewelry. But it is simply to gratify the pride of the heart.
Now what lesson is here taught? Simply that Christians should avoid this outward adorning of the body, which genders strife in the world, pride in our own hearts and a worldly mindedness in the church. But rather should we seek for that inward adorning of the mind, even a meek and quiet spirit which is of great price in the sight of the Lord. Jesus taught his disciples saying "Ye are the light of the world. A City that is set on a hill cannot be hid." As much as to say, as ye walk so will your disciples walk. As ye preach Christ, so will they preach him. As ye love one another, so will they be constrained to love each other. As ye strive to imitate your master, so will they strive to imitate him. Like leaders, like followers. One said, "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I thought as a child, I understood as a child; but when I became a man I put away childish things." So friends let it be with us. When we were children of the wicked one we lived like his children, we acted like his children, we dressed like his children. But now we have been adopted into the family of God, let us put off all semblance to the children of darkness, walking in the light as he is in the light. The daily walk of a Christian, should be a direct illustration of the life of Christ; walking in all his ordinances blameless. His words should be law, his dealings without reproach. His little bark should be guided with full reference to the glory of God and the salvation of his fellow men.195
But how stands the case to-day with a large class of professed Christians? They have a name to live, while they are dead. They live like the world, they buy and sell like the world, they dress like the world. They belong to the church because it is fashionable; they attend church because it is fashionable. They do not suffer reproach for Christ's sake, because they are so unlike him, the adversary has no fears of losing them. "The world will not persecute those who are like them; but hold them the same as their own." Their highest aim seems to be to gain the applause of the world. They will praise the Christian religion, and patronize the kingdom of darkness; they will speak cheeringly of the self-sacrificing principle of the Christian, and yet live in luxurious ease. They profess to be stewards of God's heritage, and yet let the cause of Zion languish for want of means they are daily using to decorate their own persons. They profess to be very liberal, yet they never gladden the hearts of the widows and the fatherless with their substance, except it be to gain the applause of men. They love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and greetings in the markets, and to be called Rabbi, of men. They profess to be very orthodox in their theological opinions, yet, they never have a mind of their own. They belong to the church of the Laodiceans, whom the Lord said he would spue out of his mouth, because they were neither cold nor hot. They are deceivers, and yet being deceived. They profess to be seeking after righteousness, yet, they are never right. They content themselves with imitating some of the outward forms of religion, and yet know nothing of the power of a present salvation.
In conclusion, brethren, what ought we to do with these fashionable professors? There seems to me no class of persons occupying so dangerous ground as unconverted professors. General terms of exhortation will not reach their case. Exhort them in the public congregation earnestly as you will, they will give a hearty response to all that is said; but will take none of it to themselves. Preach as pointed and heart-searching sermons as you can, and they will tell you how nicely you hit such a brother, or sister. The only practical means that I know for reaching these brethren, is to familiarize ourselves with all the depth of their spiritual darkness. Get down deep into their hearts, and probe the tenderest point. Show them the awful danger of trying to deceive ourselves, or our brethren; the folly of chasing the shadow and letting go the substance. Show them that it takes all of the man, physical, moral and mental, to make a Christian.
Deep down in the soul of man,
There lies a point all truthful;
Who'er can reach that sacred spot,
May save a brother from his death.