SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 261, 19 March 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

WHAT IS RELIGION ? It is not an uncommon thing to meet with people who mako themselves very unhappy in the doleful pursuit of what they call Religitn. They are looking fjr some demonstration of feeling—somo strong emotion and they aro unhappy bocause these do not come to trouble their obdurate hearts. They want to be " conveited," but cannot find out how to produce the oharige that they aro taught to look for in "a converted character." It is hard to show these '' anxioua inquirers " that religion is not a sentiment, or a feeling, or an emotion ; —it is hard to teach them that religion is rightnesß of heart with God—involving conscious love of the good, longing for the true aud the pursuit of the holy, in all tbe loves and aspirations of tho soul. They aro like people who aro always hovering round the barometer tapping the case to ascertain the changes say to such " Let the baromtter bo for a while, and go to your work!" So wo might say to the poople, who, in religion, are always brooding over their " experience " or their state of mind. —"Just do the duty that lies nearest to you ; love God ; think kindly of your brother ; cist out all sin, and the love of it from your heart and let the angel* in, then shall you " know the truth and the truth shall make you free." In the matter tf religion, then, but one thing is to bo looked for—all else that is needful or natur.il will follow in itß train —a heart united to God in conscious trust and love. Religion is not creedholding and therefore there is but one religion possible in the world. Beneath all outward creeds, forms and organisations, it is good to see that all godly men aro strong after tho same thing though in diverse ways; and good to know that by our many outward paths of creed, or form, or church, we may all reach the samo heavenly city, even as now we may all have tho same religious love and dependence here. So, too, it will be seen, that religion had no plac, nor time, nor round of deeds set apart for her to live in; but that all places, and times, and deeds are hers. For, once think of religion as a life in the soul, and, we have done away with the poor distinction tho world has made, between religious and secular things : such a distinction will utterly vanish, and this will remain—religious and godless. Then will bo understood that most blessed truth, that religion has to do with everything in life and may ba made to enter into all our thoughts, and plans and actions. Then creed-believing, or a passionate experience compliance with a ceremony, or observance of a round of so-called religious duties, will not be looked to and depended upon as the bent evidence of religion in the soul; but thesp—the " fruit of the spirit" as they are rightly called will be ■ the blessed and dearest signs.--" Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." And this is religion—the truest is profouudest: —to give up self and the poor strengths and lights of time and Yield the heart, and bind the life to God, this is all that God's greatest heart can do—this is indeed to live in God, to follow Christ and to be a citizen of the heavenly lani.John Page Hopps. (F.)