CHRISTIAN ZEAL.
T
THEleading method employed anciently to impede the progress of christianity was to persecute its adherents. This scheme of opposition was well tried during the first three centuries of the christian era, but, although it, to some extent, gratified the malice of the persecutors, it was never very successful. There is a very plain reason for this. The tendency of persecution is invariably to lead the disciples of our Lord, to examine the ground of their faith and the value of their profession with great care; and when this is done, there is but little danger of “departing from the holy commandment delivered to us.” Nothing has ever caused men to scrutinize their profession and the whole premises thereof, in such a candid and solemn manner as the severe persecutions imposed upon the early followers of our Lord; and yet it is an important truth, that, during these severe persecutions, apostasies were comparatively few. This is not all. Persecution has always led the true followers of Christ to plead for the claims of the cause with greater power. Men, when speaking in a cause and their lives at stake, speak from the very bottom of their hearts, and exert every power with which they are possessed to make an impression. At such times there is no dull formality, but all is life and interest. Everyone feels what he saying and doing. There is no sermonizing, no preaching by the day, but every man carries the cause in his bosom, and labors as for eternity. All this is calculated to defeat the ostensible intention of all persecution, and in the place of impeding the progress of the cause must tend to spread it. Not only so, but persecution has a tendency to diminish worldly-mindedness, and cause the entire affairs of this life to appear transient and fleeting. Its constant bearing, like all sufferings in this life, is to direct the christian mind to another world, where the bondage of corruption shall be put off, and where he shall enjoy pleasures for evermore. Under such circumstances, how the mind is filled with piety, and how the spirit adorns the redeeming love which, through Jesus Christ, has brought the tidings of deliverance! Finding no abatement of persecutions here, no mitigation of suffering, the afflicted pilgrim looks to another world for a home—for a city upon the immovable rock, the maker and builder of which is God, where he anticipates he will enter the eternal rest. In all this, the effect is precisely the opposite of what is intended by persecutors. They intend to cause people to abandon christianity by persecuting them, whereas it only causes them to esteem it more sacred and press it more closely to their hearts.
How perfectly had all worldly considerations dwindled into nothingness when the apostle counted all things but loss, that he might win Christ, and when he estimated the intolerable affliction imposed upon him,light, compared with the eternalweight of gloryin prospect! Such heavenly mindedness is the direct tendency of persecution, and only calculated to make the glories of christianity shine with greaterluster, and, consequently, serves not the designs of those by whom it is inflicted. It, nevertheless, has been tried in thousands of instances, since the first three centuries, in various parts of the world, even down to quite a modern date, but has never been able to extinguish the light emanating from the lofty fountain of all light and all knowledge. From modern developments, it would seem, that it is now being ascertained by the great opposer of all good, that methods more effectual may be employed, to impede the progress of the gospel, of which we can not now speak in detail.Indifference, however, or a general lack ofconscientiousness, is now the order of the day. Anciently, when a doctrine was preached which the people did not believe, they were greatly excited by it. On the other hand, when they did believe it, they moved forward most warmly and energetically. It was the character of the Jewish people to follow their impressions with great tenacity.
To the people of our times, it would seem strange that the preaching of the apostles should have so excited the people. This generation can listen to doctrine entirely adverse to their views, with comparatively little excitement. They will frequently seem scarcely to have heard it. This is because they do not hold themselves responsible for what is taught, nor feel any very deep concern and interest in forming the public mind. They are indifferent to what is taught. This is one of the most dangerous features of our times. It grows to a considerable extent out of reading light trash, of a novel and imaginary character, which throws away every thing sentimental, with all concern about the impression it may make upon the human heart. It destroys concern forone of the most important items in the world, and seems to suppose that our children may, with perfect safety, hear whatever may chance to fall in their path.
When a man becomes indifferent, or falls into such a state as not to care what is taught, he is measurably beyond the reach of all instruction, for he places no value upon instruction. When the gospel of our Lord was first spoken, it moved the souls of those who heard it, and caused them to act most energetically either for or against it. This was because they cared for public sentiment, and were deeply concerned about what was taught. They were really conscientious and felt highly responsible for all their actions. But how different where this feeling of responsibility is lost? The most awful consequences may be referred to, the most terrible appeals may be made, and the most powerful inducements may be placed before them, but Galio like, they are all unheeded and unappreciated. In this case, conscientiousness, if not even consciousness itself, if not entirely lost, is so greatly diminished as entirely to cease to perform its office.
This state of indifference is not confined to the world alone, but has long since entered the precincts of the church. It is in the way of every meeting, of every ordinance, of every discourse, and of every good work. Those under its influence are ever ready to drawl out, “It is of no use”—“it can’t be done”—or, “I do not care anything about it.” Sometimes it is evaded, by objections or some fault being found. How perfectly disheartening all this is to those who desire to do good, and carry forward the conquest of a great and glorious cause.
How few there are who can properly press the claims of christianity, knowing that such an irresponsible and indifferent state of feeling prevails. It is hard to manifest a becoming zeal in the midst of such a state of apathy. Yet he who rightly reasons upon the cause of our Lord, and keeps the subject ever present in his mind, must be moved forward. He can not be discouraged, cowed down, nor deterred. He is invincible in his course. The spirit that burns in his breast is unconquerable. The more he has to contend with, the more grace and ardor of soul he seems to possess. He looks to Jesus, who for the joy set before him, endured the contradiction of sinners, even unto the death of the cross, and yet overcame, and is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God. He asks the question: Why did our Lord make the good confession before Pontius Pilate? Why did he yield to the ignominious death of the cross? Why did the holy apostles suffer as they did? Why did the first christians wade through floods and flames? Why were they bathed in tears and blood? Why all their zeal and perseverance under all this? Because they endured, by faith seeing him who is invisible. They looked forward to the recompense of reward. They held daily and spiritual communion with God. Their hearts were in heaven, whence, also, they looked for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Who that has the grand theme of good tidings and great joy to all people, first announced by angels at the birth of our Lord and Savior, dwelling richly in his heart, can fail to have a burning and a constant zeal to spread the same grand and glorious theme to the ends of the earth, and thus contribute in causing it to bless the nations?
If the winds of heaven and the waves of the sea, if the diseases of the sick and the terrors of death, if the graves of the dead and the gates of hades, were obedient to the mandate of Jesus Christ, and, if the veil of the temple was rent in twain, the rocks were sundered, the earth trembled and the sun was veiled in darkness when the Lord of glory died—should not the human heart always be filled, when his name is mentioned? If the mighty angels fall prostrate at the feet of Jesus, and hasten to perform the most august message at his command, should it not be the delight of those redeemed by his blood, to do his will, that they enter by the gates into the city, and have a right to the tree of life?
Who can, who dare slumber in his presence? Who dare be indifferent to the theme that dwelt upon his gracious lips? When he speaks it is the voice of a king—more, it is the voice of the King of kings and Lord of lords; it is the voice of him who is to bear all rule, all authority and power, until all his enemies are subdued. Heaven is his throne and the earth his footstool. Shall we not adore his name, that he has graciously promised to confess us before his Father and before his angels? To his name be honor and dominion forever and ever.