Religion in Common Life
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The Shadows We Cast
Imperishable Beauty
At Home
The Wages of the Poor
From Death unto Life
Duty and Kindness
As We Forgive
Heavenly-minded
Wheat or Tares?
The Two Pictures
Is He a Christian?
Entering Heaven
Every Wrinkle a Line of Beauty.
Died Poor
Cursed with Blessings.
Angel Visits
Alger-non, the Merchant
Good Deeds
The Workshop
Neighbour Gray
Spiritual Pride
PROVIDENCE
TEMPTATION!
Sowing Wild Oats
RUINED!
Mr. Brownlee's Visitor
Aunty Jones, the Peacemaker
PREFACE
No special theology is taught in this volume. It addresses itself to no particular sect or denomination. It has no aim but to assist men to grow better — and thence, happier. The author comes to the reader, and seeks to inspire him with an unselfish, even a divine and holy purpose — to aid him in the conquest of evil affections; and to furnish him with incentives to right living.
True religion is more than a correct set of doctrines. It includes a life of good deeds in the world. Unless such a life is led, no matter what a man's faith may be — his religion is vain. Piety, which means devotion to God; and Charity, which consists in acting justly among men — make, when united, the true Christian. Charity is essential; for, if a man does not love his brother whom he has seen — then how can he love God whom he has not seen? Worship, therefore, in the absence of charity, is vain; and the prayers of one who does not deal justly and humanely with his fellow-men, can never ascend into Heaven.
Such is the doctrine of this book, and in teaching it, the author has chosen the attractive and charming form of life-pictures, narratives, and conversations, hoping thereby to win the attention and hold the interest of his readers, until the lessons he would teach are written upon their minds in ineffaceable characters. He takes, as it were, the truth-seeker as he is leaving the church door, as he is about going back for his six days' toil, temptation, and experience in the world — and tries to make him comprehend that religion is for the daily life, and cannot be put aside at the close of the Sunday worship service. That in every department of business; in every office and profession; and in every household duty — men and women must be governed by the divine precepts of the Bible, or they cannot move a step heavenwards, no matter how devoutly they may have worshipped in the Sunday congregation.
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