Importance of a Correct System of Belief.
[SINGULAR as it may seem, the writer of the following article is a believer in Sunday-keeping, Immortal-soulism, Infant Sprinkling, the Trinity, Reward at death, &c., &c. How can he harmonize all these with the sound remarks presented below?] All nations have their systems of belief. These are all more or less correct, as they are directed by revelation and a desire for the truth. Few nations have lived but what have incorporated some great truths as well as great errors into their national faith. These have exerted a powerful influence upon them for good or evil. As nations have their systems of belief, so have individuals. And here is presented an endless variety—from the Christian who subscribes to all the great doctrines of the Bible—to the bold atheist, who rejects them all. Let us see the importance of a correct system: 1. All fundamental errors in doctrine, will lead to errors in practice. We have all seen men whose belief was better than their practice, but how seldom do we see one whose practice is better than his belief. As the stream will not rise above the fountain, so a man's practice will not rise above his belief. Hence, if we believe wrong, we shall do wrong. Suppose we believe there is no God. Then we should not seek him; neither love nor obey him; should disregard his word; the calls of his Spirit and the voice of Providence; and neglecting all preparation for the future, live and die like brutes. Or if we believe that all men will be saved; then we need not keep the law, or repent of our sins, for all is safe. If we believe that the Sabbath is abolished, who will keep it? This principle holds good in other things. The ancients believed that the earth was fixed, and the sun and moon revolved around it—hence, all their maps and charts were made on this principle. The Romanist, believing that man can pardon sin, and the Virgin Mary hear his prayer, acts accordingly. The Jew, believing in a Messiah to come, rejects the true one. 2. All errors in belief, leading us to act, will meet with disappointment. Let us illustrate: Suppose we believe that riches will make us happy. This will lead us to set our hearts upon them, and to neglect God and his requirements, but in the end we shall find that, "This world can never give
The bliss for which we sigh." And the heart that once beat with pleasure at the shining prospect, will be pierced with many sorrows. Suppose we believe the command to "love our neighbor as ourselves," is abolished, we should be led to disregard his rights, and perhaps to follow Cain and take his life; but soon the prison walls will show how much we erred. Or that we can break the laws of our physical nature with impunity, but how soon will sickness tell the sad mistake we made. Or that there is no future state. This would lead us to neglect the interests of the soul and all preparation for another life; to seek happiness only in the present, and to stifle all the aspirations of the soul for another state of action. But I need not pursue this thought; enough has been said to show that if our faith is wrong, we shall be disappointed. 3. We are accountable for our belief. Many have adopted the opinion that it matters but little what we believe, if we are only sincere. This seems very plausible at first sight, but what does it really amount to? Let me ask, Can we believe anything without being sincere? And can a man's sincerity change facts? But we remark, that God has given us his word containing a system of truths to be believed and obeyed, with fearful penalties attached if we do not; and if in but fair to suppose if we use the means that God has given us, we may all believe them. Hence if we do not have a system of faith that is in the main correct, it will be our own fault. Doubtless most of the infidelity in the world, is owing to a want of investigation with a desire to find the truth. A celebrated infidel confessed he had never read the New Testament with attention. Dr. Beattie was appointed by his infidel club to collect all objections he could find against Christianity; but before he had completed the task he became convinced of the truth of religion, and boldly renounced his infidelity. So would it be with many, if they would seek after the truth. But if men close their eyes against light and choose darkness, by rejecting those truths that God has written on the earth beneath our feet, and on the heavens above, as well as those revealed in his word, will they not be guilty in the sight of God for this, their unbelief? See the words of Scripture.—"Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved; and for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." Now we gather from this subject that it is as bad to believe wrong as it is to do wrong; and that we have as much right to do the one as the other. It is true that we are at liberty to believe as we choose, as well as to act; but not think God will ask us by and by why we have believed and done thus! Now if the above reasons are valid, we see at once the importance of having a correct system of belief. Let us beware what we believe!—y.—Standard Bearer.