FROM

THE EVANGELIST.

NEW SERIES.

Vol. IX.	Carthage, Ohio, July 1, 1841.	No. 7.

      DEAR BRO: SCOTT.

            The more I learn of the general condition of the religious community, the more I am impressed with the conviction that there is the most urgent need of a thorough reformation. Nothing can be more evident than that theory is substituted for practice, and flesh for spirit. The high and holy objects of religion are overlooked; its pure and exalted pleasures are unenjoyed by the great mass of professors: it is but here and there we meet with a man in whom the spirit of God is--a green spot amid the desert of human selfishness, where we find that well of water which springs up into everlasting life. Judging from their conduct the great mass of all denominations are mere religionists--the religious are few indeed. The wings of Christian charity are indeed wide, but they are no longer able to cover the overgrown and unnatural brood of covetousness and pride, of passion and ambition.

      Of what benefit, alas! can be the best theory of religion without practice? A theory, in the strict sense of the word, is a mental view, a speculation; all truth is therefore merely speculative consisting of inductions drawn from facts. The Gospel itself issues in a system of truth which however acceptable to the intelligent mind as a just consistent and beautiful theory, will not in reality be to any one anything more that a speculation, if not reduced to practice. How absurd it is then for men to speak against speculations in religion, if they themselves do actually convert religion itself into a speculation; a form without the power of godliness--a useless vessel emptied of the wine of joy--a casket despoiled of its treasure.

      How vain, on the other hand, the fleshly attachments and enjoyments which are mistaken for the ties and joys of religion. A personal regard for individuals, the common sympathies of nature, the pleasures of society, the excitement of pulpit eloquence or of sacred song, are often as truly animal and fleshly as the more boisterous and mirthful pleasures of the banquet. It is when in the secret solitude the soul overflows with love to God, when there is a constant and habitual fellowship with God and Christ, when the ready hand is opened to supply human wants, and the character is adorned with the heavenly graces of that indwelling spirit which is at once the evidence and the earnest of a spiritual system with all its blessedness, that we can have a just, rational or scriptural assurance of an interest in the salvation of Christ, on a well founded hope of eternal life. These things being so, how important that they should be urged upon men, and that all who have really been made alive to God should assiduously cherish every thing which tends to unite them to the spiritual world.

      The brethren have been often speaking of you. They would be happy to receive a visit from you in Madison co; the people [162] would be very glad to hear you again. I am sorry to find that political dissensions have ruined some churches--what infatuation! what a birthright sold for a mess of pottage!

	Yours in the blessed hope of eternal life.
R. RICHARDSON.

[The Evangelist 9 (July 1841): 162-163.]

      Robert Richardson's "Letter to Walter Scott" was first published in The Evangelist, Vol. 9, No. 7, July 1841. The electronic version of this letter has been produced from the College Press reprint (1980) of The Evangelist, ed. Walter Scott (Cincinnati, OH: Walter Scott, 1841), pp. 162-163. The text has been scanned by Colvil Smith and formatted by Ernie Stefanik.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Created 9 September 2000.