Progression and Retrogression

After a close observation of nearly twenty years, I have found the old maxim, "There is no standing still in religion," to be invariably true. It is also generally true, that if we are one inch below our highest watermark we are on back ground, and below our privilege. If we would take a religious inventory in all the orthodox churches throughout the land, we would be surprised at the large percentage we would find on "back ground."

I once read of a party of men who rowed across the river to a little village to obtain strong drink, and on reaching the other shore they tied the boat and went up to the saloon. After spending several hours there, drinking and having a general good time (as they call it) they decided to go down to the boat and row back across the river. On reaching the boat, as they were all intoxicated, they forgot to untie the boat, but simply got into it and began pulling on the oars. They kept this up the balance of the night, and when day broke they became conscious of the fact that they had not untied the boat, and had simply fluttered in one place all the time.

The only difference between these men and thousands of church members is that they were fluttering in one place, but the church members are drifting down stream continually.

Let us first notice a few indications of progress, viz., of growth in grace.

1. An increase of holy calmness and spiritual balance, under all circumstances; that which never gets upset and blustery over the various happenings of life.

2. A growing passiveness in the hand of God. Some one has well said, "God could thrash a mountain with a worm, provided He could get the wiggle out of the worm." The soul who is making progress in God has ceased to wiggle, shrink and dictate to God, but is as plastic in His hands as clay in the hands of the potter. Reader, are you in this place

3. A deep, undisturbed sweetness in the soul, and a soft mildness of manner when under pressure and temptation, is another sign of spiritual advancement.

4. A keen eye to detect the fine lines of sin and compromise, and an increasing disgust for formality and worldliness in every form, are sure indications of spiritual advancement.

5. Another indication of progress is the growth of a self-sacrificing, self-forgetting disposition; that which is more interested in the happiness and comforts of others than of itself.

6. The next indication of progress, that presses its way into my mind, is when the soul reaches a stage where the mind is constantly stayed on Christ and heavenly things. The mind to a man is what the engine is to the train; it draws the whole man after it. Solomon says, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." Isaiah says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee." No soul can make any progress in the Divine life with a confused, double mind. Hence it is a sure sign of advancement when the mind is kept stayed on heavenly things.

Let us briefly notice a few indications of Retrogression.

1. A lack of relish for and interest in secret prayer is a sure indication that the soul is growing cold and estranged from God.

2. A second sign of retrogression is a careless, thoughtless, non-conscientious spirit, which can strain the truth, speak short, drive close bargains, jest, and tell funny stories, etc., etc. This is a sure indication that the soul is on the downward grade.

3. Retrogression is also indicated through a disposition that leans toward and trifles with temptation. It is to be remembered that we never reach a sphere in the Christian life where we do not have to watch, pray, and keep at a distance from sin and temptation. Failure here has caused the downfall of many an honest soul.

4. A fourth indication of Retrogression is seen in a gluttonous, self-indulging spirit. I believe I am safe in saying that self-indulgence is one of the greatest enemies to godliness of the twentieth century.

5. A fifth indication of Retrogression is noticeable in a disposition to evil-speaking and talebearing. People seem to forget that it is just as wrong to speak evil and carry tales as it is to steal (Jas. 2: 10).