Mammon or Covetousness the Sin of the Christian Chruch. By Rev. John Harris; Anti-Mammon, or an Exposure of the Unscriptural Statements of Mammon [pp. 222-239]

Manimamn, and dnti-Mammon.
intellectual faculties. Error in opinion or in principle can
never, therefore, lead to beneficial results. However much
it may seem, in man's wisdom, to spur on the lagging zeal
of cold and lukewarm Christians, and to excite to great and
self-denying efforts, it will terminate in the injury or complete destruction of whatever cause it is employed to assistL
Thus in reference to the promulgation of the gospel and the
extension of the kingdom of Christ, let the following princil)les, which are very current at this present time, and with
which "Mammon" is deeply imbued, be adopted by any
church or association, as most likely to give animation and
zeal in the accomplishment of this glorious work. In regard
to God, let it be laid down as axiomatic, that lie has purposed
the salvation of all the heathen; that in this purpose his wvill.
has been defeated by his creatures; and that by our failure in
duty we can prevent the accomplishment of these divine
purposes of mercy. As it regards the church, let it be laid
down as equally certain, that to the church is committed the
business of conversion, and that she is responsible for the
results of the means she is commanded to employ, as well
as for the proper use of those means. And in reference to
the heathen world, let it be determined, that they are all provided for in the decree of election, or at least in the effectual
grace purchased for his people by the blood of Christ; and
further, that the time is certainly near at hand when they
shall all be converted unto God. Let these principles be
adopted into the creed of the Christian philanthropist, and
made the principles of his conduct, and what must be the
assured result? They will infallibly lead to the most unworthy conceptions of the character, purposes, and requirements of heaven. They will breed the most unwarranted
expectations, and thus lead on to the most misdirected and
therefore fruitless efforts. In the event of the failure of such
self-formed anticipations, discouragement will take possession
of the heart, and paralyse its energies. There will be a
growing indifference to the means employed, in an eager
and all-absorbing pursuit of the end. That end being considered necessary in point of duty, all means likely to secure
its attainment come to be regarded as equally necessary and
proper. Human wisdom usurps the throne, and its plans and
measures are substituted for the less popular and effective
suggestions of the divine word. God is thus dishonoured
and provoked. His Spirit is withdrawn. A spirit of practical atheism takes possession of the church. A system of
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