Southern Christian Advocate

For the Southern Christian Advocate.

"WE ARE NOT IGNORANT OF HIS DEVICES."

2 Cor. II. 11.

The devices of Satan, our great and subtle adversary, as Mr. Wesley very justly remarks, "are numerous, as the stars of heaven, or the sands upon the sea shore." We shall not therefore, in this communication, be able, nor is it our design, to notice them all; but only that one by which men are deluded into a profession of religion, and sometimes into a hope of heaven, through worldly considerations.

Every age of the world has its own peculiarities; and in each, the attacks of the evil one are so varied, as most successfully to destroy men's souls. When the red dragon was let loose upon the church—"When the kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers took counsel against the Lord, and against his anointed"—the great danger was to deny and forsake the Lord. But when Christianity under the genial sun of prosperity, flourishes and becomes popular, the great danger is, not a denial that we "know the man," but to embrace his cause through improper motives. This latter evil, in the fourth century, arose to a very great height, and spread its blighting influence over almost the whole face of Christianity. And in our own country and time, there is much to be feared from the same source.

And it must be confessed by all who have paid attention to the subject, that the insidious and dangerous devices of the wicked one, have an adaptation to the various conditions of life, not less striking and apparent than to the different ages of the world. Even the sacred office itself, is not exempt. The motives of a barely worldly consideration to enter into holy orders, in the present day, are exceedingly strong. If a man possesses something more than ordinary talents, and a wish to display them, where will he find a better theatre, than the pulpit? And eternity only will bring to light the great number of deluded men, who have preached the gospel from some such motive. It is but just however, to remark, there are many self-sacrificing men, who have "heard the Lord's voice, and are afraid;" and are preaching in view of the judgment.

The same avenues are open in political, commercial, professional, and mechanical life. How common it is, for a country dealer, if himself a Christian, when coming to the city, to enquire for a pious merchant, and make it a matter of conscience, to give him the preference. Now all this is right in itself. Christians should support one another; indeed the bonds of brotherly affection will incline them to do it. But, who, that knows any thing of "his devices," does not see the peculiar dangers, arising from such a state of things.

But of all conditions, perhaps none are so much exposed to this device, as the indigent and distressed. It was from personal observation in several instances, that my mind was directed to this subject, and then to write this communication. The religion of Jesus breathes good will to all men, and has not only a heart to feel for, but a hand to help the distressed; and "especially such as are of the household of faith."

This being the case, the very wants and miseries of such as are thrown upon the charities of the public, urge them to make a profession of religion. And some, who have been notorious for wickedness, in the hour of distress, may endeavour to hide their former sins, and cloak themselves with the mantle of Christianity, in order, more effectually, to avail themselves, of the charities of the Christian community. Now we would not say one word, to diminish sympathy and charity for the suffering, whether saint or sinner, but would rather say ten to increase both: but our design is, to wake up attention, to this dangerous device, lest the adversary should divert the streams of benevolence, into the channels of death.

R. B. N.