p. 448 | Pride by Bishop Weaver

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 14, 1880

Pride

By Bishop Weaver

PRIDE.

And now abideth pride, fashion, extravagance, these three; but the greatest of these is pride—simply because it is the root of the whole matter. Destroy the root, and the tree will die.

It is hardly worth while to waste ammunition in shooting at fashion and extravagance as long as the root is alive. Most persons say it does not matter how people dress; pride is in the heart. Very true, but straws show which way the wind blows. A plain exterior may cover up a proud heart; but depend upon it, a fashionable exterior seldom, if ever, covers up a plain heart. Some rules work two ways, but some will not. A lady once asked a minister whether a person might not be fond of dress and ornaments without being proud? He replied, "When you see the fox's tail peeping out of the hole, you may be sure the fox is within." Jewelry and costly and fashionable clothing may all be innocent things in their places, but when hung upon a human form they give most conclusive evidence of a proud heart.

"But is it possible that a man can be found at this advanced age of refinement that dares to write or speak a word against pride and its consequences? The large majority of that class of men died and were handsomely buried some time ago. Now the pulpits have nearly all shut down on that style of preaching. The fact is, we have passed that age, and are living in better times. Our fathers and mothers were far behind the time. They were good enough in their way; but they would not do now. They wore plain clothes, worshiped in plain churches, and sung old-fashioned hymns. They talked and acted like some old pilgrims that were looking for a better country." But they are nearly all out of the way now, and the people have a mind to try a different route. "We can be Christians now, and do as we like." Yes, indeed. We can have fine churches, cushioned seats, costly carpets, a fashionable preacher, and have all our singing done to order. Why, in some of our modern churches the majority of the choir are not even members of the church; and they do sing so sweetly! perfectly delightful! The music rolls over the heads of the congregation like the sound of many waters. Not a word can be heard; but the sound is glorious. Sometimes one sings all alone for a while, then two, and pretty soon the whole choir will chime in until the whole house is filled with the most transporting sound. Now, if this is not singing with the Spirit, and with the understanding also, then what is it? that's the question. I know it is a little risky to speak out against pride at this day, because the church is full of it. It is of no use to deny it. And hundreds who occupy the pulpit, whose duty it is to point out these evils plainly, are like dumb dogs; they don't even bark at it. They just let it go; and go it does. And in proportion as pride gains in a church spiritual power dies out. They will not, cannot, dwell together, for they are eternal opposites. It is a sin and a shame for men and women professing Christianity to spend money the way they do to gratify a proud heart. There are many evils in the land and in the church, but I doubt if any one evil is doing more harm than pride. It has stolen into the church by degrees, and now rules with a rod of iron. Churches that were once noted for their plainness, and whose law still stands against pride and fashion, are practically powerless on the subject.

The religion of Christ is pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, and full of mercy. All Christians are baptized with one Spirit into one body. They mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Their highest ambition is to honor God with all they have and are. They are not puffed up, not conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of their minds. There is no such thing as a proud Christian; there never was, nor ever can be. Pride is of the devil—it originated with him; and he is managing it most successfully in destroying souls.—Bishop Weaver.