Dearest A.
It has occurred to me that it might not be unprofitable to follow up the papers on " Prayer and the prayer meeting" with a few jottings on the present condition of things in the professing Church of God. It is not, by any means, a pleasant subject; and, most assuredly, it will not prove a popular one; and this perhaps is one reason why I adopt this method of dealing with it, in preference to writing a formal treatise. There is a peculiar charm about correspondence, inasmuch as you can pour out your heart with such freedom to a friend in whom you have confidence: and you almost forget that any other eye save your correspondent's is to scan the lines which your pen is tracing.
It may be, however, you will protest against being called to wade even through a single letter on such a depressing theme. I fancy I hear you, at the very outset, exclaiming against the bare idea of my taking up your time or my own with all the evil and error, the confusion and debris involved in the very title of my letter—" The present condition of things." You may feel disposed to say to me, " Alas! my friend, I know too much about that subject already. I see no good in dwelling upon evil and error, failure and folly. I do not find such things in the precious catalog penned by the inspired apostle, in Phil. 4:88Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8). I vastly prefer the holy subjects there indicated to aught connected with your proposed theme—4 The present condition of things/ It is infinitely better and more strengthening to dwell upon the faithfulness of God, the moral glories of Christ, and the living depths of holy scripture, than upon our poor state or the low condition of things in the church of God. We shall never get either comfort or power by looking at ruin and failure."
Well, I freely admit all this—most fully and cordially; and hence, were I to please myself, or even to indulge my own spiritual feelings, I should not pen another line on the subject of my letter. But, as you are aware, I have recently been laid aside with a severe illness which almost unfitted me for the mere effort of thinking, to say nothing of writing or preaching. Well, when I was at the very lowest point of physical prostration, a voice seemed to say, deep down in my heart, "Rise, and write a paper on the present condition of things in the church of God." And then as I waited on God for guidance as to the mode, it was suggested to me to write a series of letters to my old friend and yoke-fellow. Thus much as to the origin of the matter now in hand which seems, as it were, a burden laid upon me which I dare not—nor do I desire to—shirk. May the good Lord vouchsafe me grace to do His will!
I am fully aware of the fact that people do not like to be called to consider their ways, Self-judgment is not a very agreeable task. Solemn review of ourselves or our surroundings is what none of us very much like. But we may rest assured it is, at times, most needful, most healthful. Indeed, at all times, it is safe and a good to judge ourselves, to review our path, to know the times, to understand the real condition of things within and around, and to be divinely instructed as to how we ought to carry ourselves in the midst of the actual state of the professing church. One thing is certain, it is the height of folly to seek to shut our eyes to the present appalling condition of Christendom in all its ramifications. Turn where you will, and you are met by the most unmistakable evidences of the downward course of christian profession.
Doubtless, my dearest Α., this may sound very morose and severe. Some may pronounce me a gloomy croaker. I may be accused of gross one-sidedness and exaggeration, of willfully shutting my eyes to a thousand hopeful features in the scene, and deliberately overlooking many encouraging pledges of brighter and better days to come. I may be told to open my eyes and look at the progress of education—to mark the rapid strides of science—the onward march of civilization—to contrast the England of to-day with the England of a hundred years ago; and in the face of all this brilliant array of redeeming features, I may be triumphantly challenged to produce my " evidences of the downward course of christian profession.' My attention may be called to the soul-stirring statistics of Bible and missionary societies, of the various philanthropic and scientific associations of this highly-favored age.
Well, I can only say, I rejoice, with all my heart, in every atom of good that is being done, and in every encouraging feature on which the eye can rest. I bless God for all that He, by His Spirit and word, has wrought in our midst, during the last few years. And further, I delight to think of the thousands of God's beloved people who are scattered up and down amid the various religious organizations of the day—living stones amid the debris—burning coals amid the smoldering ashes. I fondly trust that you and I do, most fully, appreciate all these things. God forbid we should not.
But in the face of all that can possibly be presented of a hopeful nature, allowing as broad a margin as the most sanguine spirit can demand in which to insert all the encouraging features and elements that are traceable around us, I return, with calm decision, to my statement that, " On all hands we are met by the most unmistakable evidences of the downward course of christian profession."
And why insist upon this? Is it a mere morbid desire to dwell upon the dark side of things? Is it that we would not rejoice as heartily as others in seeing the progress of what is true and good, if such were really visible? By no means. We can in our tiny measure, say with the apostle, " Would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you." Assuredly, if the true and the good were really in the ascendant, we should have our share in it as well as others.
But no; my beloved brother, I believe that holy scripture and living facts coincide in demonstrating my statement as to the downward course of things. I shall, if God permit me to write this series of letters, furnish an array of evidence from the pages of inspiration, and from undeniable facts, patent to all who will only open their eyes to see, to prove that Christendom, as such, is traveling, with terrific speed, down an inclined plane to the blackness and darkness of an eternal night; that there is not the smallest shadow of scripture authority on which to base a hope of improvement; and, finally, that there is not a single fact in Christendom's history, not a single feature in Christendom's present state that does not perfectly coincide with the predictions of our Lord Christ and His holy apostles, as to what we are to expect. It is perfectly useless for men to seek to shut their eyes to these things, or in any way to set them aside. The word of God and the facts of the case are against them. There is judgment—dire judgment—impending over the scene. Ere ever the beams of millennial glory can shine forth upon the world, the besom of destruction and the sword of judgment must do their appalling work.
I speak only of the great mass of christian profession. God has His people everywhere, blessed be His name! Amid all the darkness, the gross evil, and puerile superstition of popery, and in every section of Protestant profession, there are beloved members of the body of Christ. All these will rise to meet their Lord, when He comes to gather His own. Not one shall be left behind. Every grain of genuine wheat shall be gathered into the heavenly garner. And this may take place tonight! And what then? Yes, we may ask, what then? I shrink from penning down the answer; but it must be told—Strong delusion and eternal perdition for Christendom and every Christless professor therein.
I shall close this brief introductory letter by subscribing myself, as ever, dearest Α.,
Your deeply affectionate yoke-fellow,
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