The  temptation  is  great  to  indulge  from  mere  pleasure  of
indulgence,  and  from  the  admiration  given  to  feeling.  It  is
easier  to  gain  credit  for  goodness  by  a  glistening  eye,  while
listening  to  some  story  of  self-sacrifice,  than  by  patient  use
fulness.  It  is  easier  to  get  credit  for  spirituality  by  thrilling
at  some  impassioned  speech  on  the  platform  or  sermon  from
the  pulpit,  than  by  living  a  life  of  justice,  mercy,  and  truth.
And  hence  religious  life  degenerates  into  mere  indulgence
of  feeling,  the  excitement  of  religious  meetings,  or  the  utter
ance  of  strong  emotion.  In  this  sickly  strife,  life  wastes
away,  and  the  man  or  woman  becomes  weak  instead  of
strong  ;  for  invariably  utterance  weakens  feeling.
