109SermonsbyJCRyle (continued)
reality of heaven and hell, and judgment, and eternity—on such points as these, I say, all Christian men are very much of one mind.
Now, I ask all sceptics and agnostics, is it honest to turn away from this Christian religion with contempt, because those who profess it have many weaknesses and infirmities? Is it fair to despise their religion, and wrap yourself up in unbelief, because of their controversies and strifes, their feeble literature and their party spirit? Is it fair to ignore the fruits of peace, and hope and comfort, which they enjoy? Mark the solid work which, with all their faults, they do in the world—in lessening sorrow and sin, and increasing happiness, and improving their fellow-men. What fruits and work can unbelief show which will bear comparison with the fruits of faith? What good has secularism, or agnosticism, or deism, done to mankind? What missions have they sent forth to the world? What cities or countries on earth have they civilized, purified, and made more holy and happy? What have the gods which some despisers of revelation seem to worship—evolution, development, matter, force, destiny—what have they done to enable men to meet the many ills to which all flesh is heir? What aching consciences have they relieved? What broken hearts have they bound up? What sick-beds have they cheered? What bereaved parents and widows have they comforted? We ask in vain! We shall get no answer! Look these facts in the face—and deal honestly with them. Systems ought to be judged by their "fruits" and results. When the so-called systems of modern unbelief and scepticism, and free thought, can point to as much good done in the world by their adherents as Christianity has done by the hand of its friends, we may give them some attention. But until they do that, I boldly say that the simple, old-fashioned Christianity has a just claim on our respect, esteem, and obedience, and ought not to be lightly esteemed, ridiculed, or despised.
2. In the second place, I have a word for those professing Christians who have no life or reality in their religion, and are only nominal members of Christ's Church. I need hardly say there are myriads of people in this condition. They are not