Morning Star

For the Morning Star.

"LOAVES AND FISHES."

Many who pretend to be following Christ at the present time, are only gratifying a covetous disposition. While it is a fact that the religion of Jesus in its precepts, teaches the greatest amount of self-denial; the most strict rules of economy, and to "gather up all the fragments, that nothing be lost,"-it also teaches the best possible use of every created thing —showing there is no value in anything of itself, only its use for the good of the human soul. God has placed the mark of dollars and cents on nothing in the world ; the human soul sets value on all earthly things, and God sets value alone on the human soul." "Give me a penny," said the great Teacher. "Whose image and superscription is this? They said unto him, Caesar's. Render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and to God, the things that are God's." He, the Infinite, has set his image not on gold or silver, but the HUMAN SOUL.

"What shall it profit if we gain the whole world and lose the soul ?"

Think of this, ye who cannot spend time to attend one prayer meeting weekly, or one conference per month-who set up so late Saturday night to finish work and worldly business, that you sleep all the Sabbath, in or out of meeting. Think of this, ye who cannot contribute to any of the benevolent institutions, or to the support of the gospel, and are constantly adding to your rail-road and bank stock. Covetousness, selfishness, and worldly mindedness are becoming the curse of the church. "Beware of covetousness, which is idolatry." "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." No person can be a Christian, and, at the same time, indulge in covetousness. That is, getting, loving, keeping, and laying up the things of the world for his or her personal benefit. If your religion has done nothing to make you benevolent, it has done nothing for your soul. You are following Christ for the "loaves and fishes;" or, in other words, for what personal benefit it will be to you ; and you become religious speculators, driving a smart bargain for yourselves. Some build fine churches. finish them splendidly, buy the highest polished minister, and sell all to a full congregation at the highest price. Others go to the other extreme-get on with a little, mean, contemptible house of worship, and starve their minister, to fill their own pockets. Three church members, wealthy men in New Hampshire, said, as a minister commenced his labors with them, that they felt deeply the necessity of having his labors among the people. Said they, "We will take all the responsibility of paying our brother." How kind-to pay all the minister's salary. Think of it-all you churches —what valuable members. Well, the brother preached on and on. He had engaged for six months. The time was almost out-when these "responsible" men paid the good man some $10 or $15 in all for his six months' labor. Shame on such pretended Christianity! An honorable worldling would feel disgraced in such a course. Not long after, one of these men died, and I could but think of some who kept back a part of the price anciently.

Another professor-yes, a professor—but there are doubts in regard to such. He was speaking in church."Ah," said he, "my friends, religion has been of great benefit to me." All now listened most attentively—even the minister brightened up and was ready to take notes-the man continued"I used to go to the tavern every Sabbath, and drink and smoke; and I never thought of spending less than one dollar a Sabbath, and sometimes more. Now, when I commenced going to meeting, I left off going to the tavern. So I save 52 dollars a year by religion."

"Stop, stop," said the pastor, "let me ask, how much do you give for benevolence, and to support the ministry of the word?" He paused, looked thoughtful a moment-all was still as the house of death. He clapped his hand to his head, as though casting up, and said, "I don't know exactly, but I think about five dollars a year." "Yes," said the minister, "look at that. FIFTY Dollars per annum for rum and tobacco, or, given to the devil, which is just the same; and five dollars to the cause of Christ and humanity. I am astonished that such a man should think himself a Christian. It cannot be. If Christ has given you all you have, forgiven your sins, poured into your heart the joys of his free and full salvation, and promised you the riches and glories of heaven—you who used to pay fifty-two dollars a year to the devil, and throw in your health, peace of mind, and Sabbaths. all into the bad bargain, and now only five dollars a year to the cause of Christ-there must be some deception, or great ignorance. Either you do not know what belongs to real Christianity, and are a mere babe in religion, or else you are self-deceived, and think 'Gain is godliness.'- Surely this is your condition."

The man stopped to find out his real condition. How many of our professors ought to do the same. Be careful that you do not follow Christ for the "loaves and fishes.

J. B. DAVIS.