Sunk deep in the mire

(The life and letters of John Angell James)

Most professing Christians are sunk deep in the mire
of worldly-mindedness. Mammon is the wicked and
shameful idol of the church.

Our churches are, in my opinion, far from a state of sound
healthy piety. We have but little of what constitutes the
essence of experimental religion. Everything is superficial.
Our repentance, our faith, our love, our devotional habits
--are all superficial! The world has . . .
   engrossed men's minds,
   absorbed their feelings,
   starved their piety.