This Sanctuary Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.

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We have a policy of mutual respect, shown by civility. Civility encourages discussions, promotes objectivity and rational thought in discourse, and camaraderie in the participants – characteristics we strive toward in our Q Tree community.

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In The Q Tree, we’re compatriots, sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, making s’mores and discussing, agreeing, and disagreeing about whatever interests us. This board will remain a home for those who seek respectful conversations.

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Old Time Religion

Away with such an old-time Christianity!
Charles Ebert Orr – 1844-1913

Satan has robed a harlot, named her ‘Christianity’ and succeeded in imposing her upon many. They are fondling with her. She indulges them in sensuality, while encouraging them to hope for a blissful immortality. The kings of the earth have committed fornication with her. They are reveling, feasting and banqueting with her–crazed by her seductive charms. She has neither purity, peace, nor power. Her robes are defiled by sin. She scoffs at pure Christianity, and calls her old-fashioned.

This strange young woman is using every device to allure souls into her wanton chamber. She is most subtle of heart. She “flatters with her words. In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night–she walks in the streets, and lies in wait at every corner, that she might catch and kiss him who is void of understanding.” With a beguiling, impudent face, she says to him: “I have peace offerings with me; I have decked my bed with tapestry and fine linen of Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come let us take our fill of love until the morning; let us enjoy each other’s caresses.”

Such is the mirthful, shallow, frivolous Christianity of the popular present day religions! The generality of professors (we speak in love) desire a Christianity which will go with them to the halls of pleasure; which will dine with them at their rich banquets; which will smile on them as they walk in the ways of sin and worldliness–calming their fears with her flattering words of ‘peace, peace’.

Primitive Christianity, they consider, was good enough for primitive days–but she would be a horrid old maid in these days of progress. In this fast-moving age, the Christianity that crowned the life of Christ and the holy apostles, is altogether too antiquated.

She drew men from the world; she crucified their lusts;she taught them to practice self-denial; she brought them in humility to her feet; she led them in the paths of virtue and holiness; she upbraided them for sin; she told them of the vengeance and wrath of God against every evil.

The Christian world today, in general, is saying, “Away with such an old-time Christianity! She has no charms for us! She is too common and plain–too grave and sober! We will not walk with her! Give us the mirthful and dashing young harlot–that we may walk with her amid the pleasures of the world, and with her gratify our lusts! She never chides us for sin, nor troubles us about the anger of God nor the torments of Hell. She invites us into her bosom and gives us a sweet opiate drink of ‘stolen waters’, and bids us take our fill of love.

We desire to tear off the sacrilegious robes of the harlot of false Christianity–and expose her shame to the gaze of every honest soul.

Dear reader, “Do not go after her! Do not let your heart incline to her ways! Do not go astray in her paths. For she has cast down many wounded–yes, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to Hell, going down to the chambers of death!”

*https://www.puritanboard.com/threads/away-with-such-an-old-time-christianity.70718/

Give me that old time religion,
Give me that old time religion,
Give me that old time religion,
It’s good enough for me.

1 It was good for Paul and Silas,
It was good for Paul and Silas,
It was good for Paul and Silas,
It’s good enough for me. [Refrain]

2 It was good for the Hebrew children,
It was good for the Hebrew children,
It was good for the Hebrew children,
It’s good enough for me. [Refrain]

3 It was good for our mothers,
It was good for our mothers,
It was good for our mothers,
It’s good enough for me. [Refrain]

4 Makes me love ev’rybody,
Makes me love ev’rybody,
Makes me love ev’rybody,
It’s good enough for me. [Refrain]

On this day and every day –

God is in Control
. . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . .
Keep Looking Up

Hopefully, every Sunday, we can find something here that will build us up a little . . . give us a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.

“This day is holy to the Lord your God;
do not mourn nor weep.” . . .
“Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet,
and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared;
for this day is holy to our Lord.
Do not sorrow,
for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”