The Church and the World.
By Editor
THERE are many evils in this world, which, though we cannot hope to reform them, it is well to hold up and expose as warnings and signs of the times. Among these is the great sin which is fast engulfing the nominal churches of our land, of holding church festivals, fairs, picnics, parties &c., where fun, frivolity and merriment are the order of the day, where thoughts of the Judgment, and its approaching scenes, would not be tolerated, and any exhibition of scriptural sobriety would be instantly frowned from their presence. By indulging in these scenes, the churches unmistakably identify themselves as the class spoken of by Paul in 2 Tim. iii, 4, who are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. And yet these same churches are indulging the pleasing and delusive dream of converting the world. On what ground they can indulge such hope, we know not, unless it is that as they look around they can see no particular difference between themselves and the world, and hence conclude that the world must be about converted, forgetting that the change has been in themselves not in the world; for the world has converted them, and they, if they ever reach salvation, will have to be converted again from her fatal embrace. Some, we are happy to see, are awake to these things, and are raising the voice of alarm and warning. We hope such will not be overcome by the general defection, but be led finally to take the course marked out for them in Rev. xviii, 4. "The Church and the World, or Christ and Belial," is the title of a sterling little tract of eighteen pages, published by Julius Bruso, Saratoga Springs, N. Y., and which he offers at the nominal price of ten for fifteen cents, giving some statistics of the extent, and shewing the pernicious results, of this evil. We give the reader a specimen of the tract in the following paragraph from its first page: "Is money to be raised for church debts, church building or repairing? For a Sabbath school or a missionary enterprise? For the increase of the minister's salary? Is money wanted to relieve the poor or for any benevolent operation? What now? How is this money to be forthcoming? In a sober, rational, gospel way? Nay, a feast is prepared; a soiree introduced, a fancy fair, a picnic, a concert or exhibition of some kind, a donation, tea, or strawberry party, a sleigh ride, oyster supper, a tin or gold wedding, something to inflame the passions, excite and enlarge the appetite, produce a little fun or vulgar merriment. The entire community is put in requisition for weeks. The excitement is intense, outbursting on the right and on the left. To open the purse strings worldly policy is resorted to, foolish talking and jesting, feasting and frolicking! These festivals are the rage and fever of the day, the world is on fire with them! Where is there a church or society, white or colored, Popish or Protestant, that does not resort to these unholy excitements, these stratagems of Satan to raise funds for some object of benevolence? It is money, money! Money we want, money we will have, gospel or no gospel, heaven or no heaven. Gospel and soul saving are laid aside. 'Away with serious or sober looks, away with them. On for a spree, a jolly time of feasting!' 'On with the dance, let joy be unconfined.' 'Know ye not, friends, the friendship of the world is enmity with God?' Whatsoever is not of faith is sin."