J.C. Ryle on Public and Private Religion

At the time J.C. Ryle wrote these words there had been an increase in the number of public services and those attending.  Though he was excited by the multiplication of what he called "public religion" he gave a word of caution:

"While we are thankful for the increase of public religion, we must never forget that, unless it is accompanied by private religion, it is of no real solid value, and may even produce most mischievous effects.  Incessant running after sensational preachers, incessant attendance at hot crowded meetings, [prolonged] to late hours, incessant craving after fresh excitement and highly spiced pulpit novelties - all this kind of thing is calculated to produce a very unhealthy style of Christianity and, in many cases I am afraid, the end is utter ruin of soul.  For, unhappily, those who make public religion everything are often led away by mere temporary emotions, after some grand display of ecclesiastical oratory, into professing far more than they really feel.  After this, they can only be kept up to the mark, which they imagine they have reached, by a constant succession of religious excitements.  By and by, as with opium-eaters and dram-drinkers, there comes a time when their dose loses its power, and a feeling of exhaustion and discontent begins to creep over their minds.  Too often, I fear, the conclusion of the whole matter is a relapse into utter deadness and unbelief, and a complete return to the world.  And all results from having nothing but a public religion!  Oh, that people would remember that it was not the wind, or the fire, or the earthquake, which showed Elijah the presence of God, but 'the still small voice' (1 Kings 19:12).

"Now I desire to lift up a warning voice on this subject.  I want to see no decrease of public religion, remember; but I do want to promote an increase of that religion which is private - private between each man and his God.  The root of a plant or tree makes no show above ground.  If you dig down to it and examine it, it is a poor, dirty, coarse-looking thing and not nearly so beautiful to the eye as the fruit or leaf or flower.  But that despised root, nevertheless, is the true source of all the life, health, vigor and fertility which your eyes see, and without it the plant or tree would soon die.  Now private religion is the root of all vital Christianity.  Without it we may make a brave show in the meeting or on the platform, and sing loud, and shed many tears, and have a name to live and the praise of man.  But without it we have no wedding garment, and are 'dead before God.'  I tell my readers plainly that the times require of us all more attention to our private religion" (J.C. Ryle, Holiness).