Holidays of Babylon by A. SMITH

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 26, 1910

Holidays of Babylon

By A. SMITH

A. SMITH

THE popular so-called Protestant churches of modern times are more and more coming to resemble in features the mother church of Rome. As the light on the Sabbath divinely instituted in Eden is pressed upon their attention, these churches resist its force, and contemptuously trample it under their feet, at the same time exalting days and institutions of heathen mythology and papal adoption.

Besides the Sunday sabbath, one of the most popular holy days of human ordination is Easter. Although the word appears in Acts 12:4 of the Authorized Version, Dr. Adam Clarke says of it: “Perhaps there never was a more unhappy, not to say absurd, translation, than that in our text. . . . Every view we can take of this subject shows the great impropriety of retaining a name every way exceptionable, and palpably absurd.” With this view agree the “Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge” and “Smith’s Bible Dictionary.” The Revised Version uses the word passover in its translation of this text, from the original paske, or pascha, instead of Easter, as in the Authorized Version, from the Anglo-Saxon Eastre.

Not only is the observance of Easter and other holy days instituted by the Roman Church an offense in itself, but they are exalted above the seventh-day Sabbath of divine institution. Says the apostle, writing to the Galatians: “Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.” Gal. 4:10, 11. The observance, therefore, of such days was not approved by the apostle Paul; neither should the ministers of Christ now approve and indorse them.

But of all the holy days of human institution none is more offensive in the sight of Heaven than Sunday, the great heathen holiday, and the adopted sabbath of the Papacy. In many lands, on the approach of this false sabbath, the wheels of manufacture and the industries of commerce and common labor, whether controlled or operated by papal or Protestant capital or hands, almost wholly cease to move or act. Thus the pall of the Roman hierarchy is more and more overshadowing human industries, and rapidly fulfilling the prophetic declaration, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Rev. 13:8.

Dancing parties and gatherings even of a low order break up when the midnight hour marks the ushering in of the Sunday sabbath. But unorganized pleasure-seeking, the discussion of business, and informal bargains are tolerated and indulged in, while honest, quiet, bread-winning toil is frowned upon. If the offender be an observer of the Bible Sabbath, he is often denounced as an enemy of social order, and sometimes persecuted with the lash of unjust civil law.

As the result of all this, Great Babylon “is become . . . the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” Rev. 18:2. But in her communion are a few true people of God, who deplore her fall and corruption. To such the call of Heaven is, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Rev. 18:4.

Benton Harbor, Mich.