Formalism in Religion

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 29, 1863

Formalism in Religion.

It is so easy to seem orthodox in creed and statement; so safe to rest in a merely traditional belief, that many a decorous professor fails to perceive the sure, though invisible, connection between the lip-confession and the life-denial of a merely outward profession, and the broader form of denial by which all such profession is decided. Yet between Christ mocked and Christ rejected, there is but a single step; and who shall say how easily it is taken, or how quickly we may pass from the hollow homage, of "Hail, Master," which mocks our Lord, to the smiting and buffeting of open outrage!—Selected.