Страница 54 из 120
advancing their own worldly interests. Thus they seek to cover all
their unrighteous transactions under a profession of Christianity. The
various religious bodies, re-enforced by the wealth and influence
of these baptized worldlings, make a still higher bid for popularity
and patronage. Splendid churches, embellished in the most extrava-
gant ma
themselves in costly and fashionable attire. A high salary is paid
for a talented minister to entertain and attract the people. His ser-
154
The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4
mons must not touch popular sins, but be made smooth and pleasing
for fashionable ears. Thus fashionable si
church-records, and fashionable sins are concealed under a pretense
of godliness. God looks down upon these apostate bodies, and de-
clares them daughters of a harlot. To secure the favor and support
of the great men of earth, they have broken their solemn vows of
allegiance and fidelity to the King of Heaven.
The great sin charged against Babylon is, that she “made all
nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” This
[235]
cup of intoxication which she presents to the world, represents the
false doctrines which she has accepted as the result of her unlawful
co
world corrupts her faith, and in her turn she exerts a corrupting
influence upon the world by teaching doctrines which are opposed
to the plainest statements of the word of God.
Prominent among these false doctrines is that of the temporal
mille
in which the world is to be converted, before the coming of Christ.
This siren song has lulled thousands of souls to sleep over the abyss
of eternal ruin.
The doctrine of the natural immortality of the soul has opened the
way for the artful working of Satan through modern Spiritualism;
and besides the Romish errors, purgatory, prayers for the dead,
invocation of saints, etc., which have sprung from this source, it
has led many Protestants to deny the resurrection and the Judgment,
and has given rise to the revolting heresy of eternal torment, and the
dangerous delusion of Universalism.
And even more dangerous and more widely held than these are
the assumptions that the law of God was abolished at the cross,
and that the first day of the week is now a holy day, instead of the
Sabbath of the fourth commandment.
When faithful teachers expound the word of God, there arise men
of learning, ministers professing to understand the Scriptures, who
denounce sound doctrine as heresy, and thus turn away inquirers
[236]
after truth. Were it not that the world is hopelessly intoxicated with
the wine of Babylon, multitudes would be convicted and converted
by the plain, cutting truths of the word of God. The sin of the world’s
impenitence lies at the door of the church.
Second Angel’s Message
155
God sent his professed people a message that would have cor-
rected the evils which separated them from his favor. A state of
union, faith, and love had been produced among those who from
every denomination in Christendom received the Advent doctrine;
and had the churches in general accepted the same truth, the same
blessed results would have followed. But Babylon scornfully re-
jected the last means which Heaven had in reserve for her restoration,
and then, with greater eagerness, she turned to seek the friendship
of the world.
Those who preached the first message had no purpose or expec-
tation of causing divisions in the churches, or of forming separate
organizations. “In all my labors,” said Wm. Miller, “I never had
the desire or thought to establish any separate interest from that of
existing denominations, or to benefit one at the expense of another.
I thought to benefit all. Supposing that all Christians would rejoice
in the prospect of Christ’s coming, and that those who could not see
as I did would not love any the less those who should embrace this
doctrine, I did not conceive there would ever be any necessity for
separate meetings. My whole object was a desire to convert souls
to God, to notify the world of a coming Judgment, and to induce
my fellow-men to make that preparation of heart which will enable
them to meet their God in peace. The great majority of those who
were converted under my labors united with the various existing
[237]
churches. When individuals came to me to inquire respecting their
duty, I always told them to go where they would feel at home; and I
never favored any one denomination in my advice to such.”
For a time many of the churches welcomed his labors; but as
they decided against the Advent truth, they desired to suppress all
agitation of the subject. Those who had accepted the doctrine were
thus placed in a position of great trial and perplexity. They loved
their churches, and were loth to separate from them; but as they were
ridiculed and oppressed, denied the privilege of speaking of their
hope, or of attending preaching upon the Lord’s coming, many at
last arose and cast off the yoke which had been imposed upon them.
In the days of the Reformation, the gentle and pious Melancthon
declared, “There is no other church than the assembly of those who
have the word of God, and who are purified by it.” Adventists, seeing
that the churches rejected the testimony of God’s word, could no
156
The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4
longer regard them as constituting the church of Christ, “the pillar
and ground of the truth;” and as the message, “Babylon is fallen,”
began to be proclaimed, they felt themselves justified in separating
from their former co
Since the rejection of the first message, a sad change has taken
place in the churches. As truth is spurned, error is received and
cherished. Love for God, and faith in his word, have grown cold.
The churches have grieved the Spirit of the Lord, and it has been
in a great measure withdrawn. The words of the prophet Ezekiel
[238]
are fearfully applicable: “Son of man, these men have set up their
idols in their heart, and put the stumbling-block of their iniquity
before their face. Should I be inquired of at all by them?” “I the
Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his
idols.” [Ezekiel 14:3, 4.] Men may not bow down to idols of wood and stone, but all who love the things of the world and take pleasure
in unrighteousness have set up idols in their hearts. The majority of
professed Christians are serving other gods besides the Lord. Pride
and luxury are cherished, idols are set up in the sanctuary, and her