p. 8 | Loss of Simplicity by Francis M. Wilcox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 21, 1912

Loss of Simplicity

By Francis M. Wilcox

The human race is fast departing from its old-time simplicity. This is seen not only in one particular, but in every channel of thought and in every way of living. The ways of the fathers, their simple manners and methods, their simplicity of faith and living, are regarded as “too slow” for this fast age. But the ox-team has given place to the lightning express; the courier on horseback to the telephone and telegraph; the simple, humble industry of gaining a livelihood to the get-rich-quick methods of high finance coming rapidly into the life of the financial world at the present time. Life in rural districts is being supplanted by life in the city. This is an age of high-pressure living, of quickened thought, of intense activity. The life of the average man, and we might say of the average woman, is the strenuous life in the full meaning of that term. Through trade and commerce, through steam-cars and fast ocean liners, newspapers and ocean cables, the ends of the world are brought together, and the result is fierce rivalry and competition, commercially, socially, and politically.

These influences have had a far-reaching effect upon the religious life of the Christian church. It has been invaded by the spirit of commercialism, of politics, of social life, and it is to be regretted that it has yielded, little by little, to these subtle influences until its strength has been undermined, its moral power weakened, and its conscience seared. The old-time simplicity of Christian living is fast departing. The Christian church toys with sacred things to draw the crowds. It deals with fads and fancies; it appeals to sentiment and sensation. Less and less distinction is being made between the sacred and the profane. Popularity is sought at the expense of vital godliness. Here and there are earnest souls mourning, as did Jeremiah of old, over Israel’s downfall. They long for a revival of the old-time simple faith.

As Seventh-day Adventists, we can see this as applied to the great Christian world around us; but it is well for us to consider in this connection to what extent this spirit of the world has entered our midst, and to what measure we have yielded our lives to these subtle influences. This is a consideration that should not be passed by lightly. This people has been called of God to a special work for this world. They have been called to carry to others a message of warning, a message which in its very nature is designed to rebuke the worldly extravagance of the age, and to call men back to simplicity of faith and Christian living. Only as we understand and practise these principles can we give the message that God has committed to us.

We know that there are hundreds of Seventh-day Adventists who have maintained in their lives this simplicity of faith. We know that there are scores who read these words who would give their lives for the cause which they have espoused. To the best of their ability they are true to God and to his work. But there are others, we are sorry to say, who are allowing this spirit of worldliness, the spirit of this fun-loving, commercial, political age, to enter their hearts, and in consequence the simplicity of faith is waning. Some have lost their moorings, and are adrift on the great sea of unrest. Some of these will be found in connection with all our churches, particularly our large churches. For such earnest labor should be put forth. We who realize their danger should raise the warning cry. They are drifting down Niagara. The fateful whirlpool lies but a little way ahead. Let us seek to win them back to their first love, to awaken in them renewed interest in Christian living. F. M. W.