BACKSLIDING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 90, 2 September 1912, Page 6

BACKSLIDING

ITS CAUSES .\XD CURES. A: paper read by Miss L. Stewart, of Queen street Primitive Methodint Society at the Christian Endeavor rally. The subject we have under consideration is of unusual solemnity, a matter of fearful importance—Declension! Not in health, not in property, not in friends, not in worldly consequence or enjoyment —though these are all distressing—but in religion; in this 'highest and deepest and most enduring of all man's interests —tlio interests of bis soul. It means a state of mind and heart rather than of outward conduct, or at any rate, of conduet which does not come under the head of immorality; of conduct which does not subject a person to the discipline of the church or to the reproach of the world, but which yet shows his religion to be gradually diminishing- in its source, power, and operation. I am desiriou? to impress your minds with the idea that there may br a state of religious declension without our being sufficiently aware of t'he fact. There may be, in some cases', incipient disease in the body—the health may be declining without any alarm—there may be a declining affection for an earthly object without the heart being duly impressed with its ) growing alienation, but it is far more likely that this should be the case in spiritual things, than in temporal ones. This was strikingly exemplified in the case of some of the Asiatic churches, not only in that of Laodicea, which waa blinded by the most infatuated self-de-lusion, but also of Ephesus. Turn to the impressive epistle addressed to that ancient community, and learn how possible it is amid many and great excellencies, in some views of the christian character to be defective and declining in others. 'T know thy works" said the faithful, j and true witness, "and thy labor and thy 1 patience, and how thou canst not beai them which are evil; and thou hast tried J them which say they are apostles and i I are "not, and liast found them liars; and for my name's sake hast labored aird it seems as if scarcely anything were I wanting to perfection. Who of us could j expect such a testimony as tliis or could 1 hope for such commendation? Yet even | here did the searching eye of the omniscient and holy Saviour discern defects and expose delusion. Yes, even in this beautiful flower He saw a blemish. For, mark; what follows: "Nevertheless, I < have somewhat against thee—l wish I, J had not to rebuke, I wish I could pass j over it, I regret I am compelled to draw 1 > attention to the Haw in thy character, ibut it must be done or it will ruin thee thou hast left thy first love." Oh, | how instructive and impressive and I charming are these words. What a call jto rigid self-examination. Amidst what 1 seeming eminence of piety and distinj guished Christian excellence; amidst I what beauties of holiness may not the j fading tint and withering speck be seen by the eye which sees not as man sees. What a reason, I repeat, for close, frequent, prayerful examination. What a motive to anxious nelf-jealousy.. What a condemnation of that careless indifference, unwatchfulness, and easy selfconfidence in which many indulge. Now it is safe to say the following rules will prove effective in producing backsliding nine times out of ten:—lst, careless praying; 2nd, superficial listening to preaching; 3rd. aimless reading of the Bible"; 4th, too much amusement; sth, absence of noble purposes; Oth, total absorption of the mind by business; 7th, yielding to selffishness; Bth, a criticising , spirit; 9th, lack of holy endeavor; 10th, loose views of scripture doctrines. What a list! What a test! How searching. Whose heart can elude the scrutiny? Yet which of these marks can be disputed? We have not time to deal with these causes of backsliding seriatim, but just emphasise a few. Careless praying , will certainly lead to a speedy decline lin the religious life. Jesus said: "Men j ought always to pray and not to faint." ■ The apostle exhorts: "Pray without ceasing.' Jesus knew the value of prayer, so was much in prayer Himself, and if the Master prayed how much more necessity there is for us to prav. So when a person's love for private or public prayer is such that he will not sacrifice a portion of time to bo alone with God, then religion is decaying, love is fading, and it is a step towards backsliding. It is prayer that keeps the. Christian's ar- . inor bright. So neglecting this exercise will dim the sheen of the Christian life. Then aimle.ss reading of the Bible is another cause of backsliding. When reading of the word of God is formal, hasty, lesson-wise, or merely intellectual, and unattended with self-application, quickening to conscience, increase of prayerfulness. readiness for every good work, or when almost any other book is read with more interest than the Book of God. Too much amusement will also lead to backsliding. We thank God for our recreation. There is no sin in healihv 'recreation, lint the sin comes in when, for the love of amusement, the Bible must bend, the church, home, and friends, an d the prayer-meeting are neglected—then amusement becomes a hindrance. How many there are who at conversion, looked upon the attractions of the world as the snares of Satan, but who are now not so sure about it, and consequently are endeavoring to hold Christ with one hand and the world with the other; who want to be christians and yet are not willing to sacrifice the attractions of the world. I This must inevitably lead to lukewarmness. Time forbids us to go into detail on the many causes, but now a word on the cures. How are we to recover from a declining state? First, a person who has backslidden, must be duly " 'impressed with the sinfulness, misery, and danger of such a condition. Then do not seek to excuse it or consider it a mere misfortune. Sincerely desire to recover the ground you have lost. Examine into the cause of your declension and put it away. If it'was neglect of the Word of God. resume the devout, the spiritual and constant perusal of the Scriptures. It it was a neglect of prayer begin afresh this holy exercise. If' it was the indulgence of heart sin, mortify it. Let us remember the first .step of backsliding follows the tirst turn of the eye from Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, and so, if w r e are again to enjoy the blessedness of a vigorous, Christian life we must look awar to Jesus. Let every lukewarm or backsliding Christian get back to the Gross of Christ and gaze upon Ilim until (lie coldness is melted and love springs afresh. Look at the apostle Peter, when after his deep denial he caught a glimpse of his sorrowful Lord, "he went out and wept bitterly." The agonies he endured over the loss of his lirst love we shall never really know, but this we are certain of—in answer to his Lord's thrice repented question. "Lovr-st thou Me?" he replied. "Yea. Lord, thou knowest T love Tllee." Backslider. consider therefore how you have fallen. Be zealous and repent. Recover lost ground, and make up that which is wanting. Be this your prayer: "Wilt Thou not revive us again that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?"