Profession and Practice
The work explores the relationship between religious profession and moral practice, using historical examples from the Jewish people to illustrate the dangers of hypocrisy. It begins with a reflection on the Assyrian invasion of Judea, highlighting the reforms initiated by King Hezekiah, who sought to restore true worship among the Jews. Despite these reforms, the text emphasizes that external religious observance without genuine righteousness is ultimately meaningless. The author draws parallels between the ancient Jews and contemporary society, warning against the complacency that arises from a false sense of piety. Citing the prophet Isaiah, the work critiques the empty rituals and sacrifices that fail to align with justice, mercy, and humility. It argues that true faith must manifest in ethical behavior and compassion towards the marginalized. The narrative recounts the cyclical nature of the Jews' spiritual decline, noting that even during periods of apparent devotion, they often reverted to idolatry and injustice. The text culminates in a cautionary message about the perils of maintaining a façade of religiosity while neglecting the core tenets of faith, urging readers to examine their own lives for signs of similar hypocrisy. The overarching theme is a call for authentic faith that translates into righteous action.
By Charles Kingsley · First published 1859 · Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Adventure · 3,955 words
First lines
Though they say, "The Lord liveth," surely they swear falsely. -JEREMIAH v. 2.
I SPOKE last Sunday morning of the wonderful way in which the Lord delivered the Jews from the Assyrian army, and I promised to try and explain to you this morning, the reason why the Lord allowed the Assyrians to come into Judea, and ravage the whole country except the one small city of Jerusalem.
What this Textopian page supports
Profession and Practice is listed on Textopian as a speech by Charles Kingsley, dated 1859 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Speech
- Author: Charles Kingsley
- Date: 1859 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Adventure, Romance, Christian Fiction
- Length: 3,955 words
- Structure: 1 section, 30 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Profession and Practice by Charles Kingsley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Profession and Practice?
- How does this speech by Charles Kingsley fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Speeshalist by David Rorie
- Going To Work by Dinah Mulock
- True Prudence by Charles Kingsley
- A Lesson In Tactics by Frederick William Mole
- Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis
- A School Song by Rudyard Kipling
Genres
- Fiction — Based on Charles Kingsley's overall body of work, the novel is likely to be a fictional narrative.
- Historical Fiction — Charles Kingsley often wrote novels set in a specific historical period, making this a likely genre.
- Adventure — Many of Kingsley's works involve elements of adventure and exploration.
- Romance — Elements of romance are often interwoven into Kingsley's narratives.
Tags
profession · practice · career · work · vocation · ethics · education · skill · development · industry · responsibility · expertise