The way to do good is to amuse people!

J.C. Ryle, 1884

(Be sure to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)
 
Matthew 11:1, "After Jesus had finished instructing His twelve disciples; He went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee."

A great change has taken place in the last forty years. A large quantity of church-work is continually being carried on both by clergymen and laymen, which, however well-meant, can hardly be called Christian--and in reality has a painful tendency to throw true Christian work into the background, if not to throw it entirely out!

No one, for instance, can fail to observe that a large number of professors are spending all their time and strength on church music, church decorations, church programs, and an incessant round of church attractions. Others are equally absorbed in social work, feeding the poor, and improved dwellings for everyone. Others are incessantly getting up popular concerts, secular lectures, and evening recreations. These things proclaim everywhere, that the way to do good is to amuse people!

Others are always occupied with secular clubs, and societies, and associations--and think that you are very wrong and heathenish, if you do not join them. Myriads of professors are restlessly busy about such mundane things from one end of the land to the other; and superficial observers are often saying, "What a great deal of church-work there is in these days!"

Now I would not for a moment be supposed to mean that all the things I have just mentioned, are wrong and wicked. Yet I doubt whether the present state of things is spiritually healthy. I doubt whether the work of the Holy Spirit on hearts and consciences, is not insensibly being left out in the cold and neglected. Amidst the incessant hustle and bustle about matters of entirely secondary importance--I doubt whether the sort of direct spiritual work to which Jesus and the Apostles wholly gave themselves, receives as much attention as it ought.

It is quite certain that musical performances, and church decorations, and concerts, and bazaars, and social work, and the like--will not save souls. It is equally certain that, without repentance, and faith, and holy living--that no one will enter Heaven. Do these simple, old-fashioned graces fill the place which they ought to do, in the daily proceedings of many so-called church-workers in this day? I exceedingly doubt it.

I certainly see on every side, a vast increase of what people call "church-work." But there is little or no increase of true religion. There undoubtedly is more show and glitter and display. But I extremely doubt whether there is more spiritual reality, and more practical godliness.

"He said to them: Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature!" Mark 16:15