APOSTASY, OR DEATH IN THE POT.
By Joseph Clarke
In 2 Kings 4: 38-40 we learn that during a time of famine a company of prophets partook of pottage in which a poisonous herb had been cooked, and nothing but a miracle saved them from death. As I read of the great religious gatherings in our large cities for several years past, especially within the last few years, and realize that one great object of these large assemblies is the revival of antiquated Sunday laws, endeavoring thus to decide by civil laws a controversy that has been going on for nearly two thousand years; and as I think of the immoral and reckless course of many of our lawmakers, to say nothing of their ignorance of the Bible and its Author, I ask: What can these men do? Are they competent to decide on disputed points, or on any religious questions? Let them be authority and law on civil questions; but when they attempt to dictate as to the day I shall select for the Sabbath, or the mode of worship, or how I shall be baptized or receive the sacrament, they are presuming to act in the place of God—just what the papacy actually professes to do. “There is death in the pot.” As the company in Elisha’s time had a pot of good material spoiled by the addition of the poisonous weed, so now this appealing to the State is the ingredient that spoils all the good there is in these great meetings; and it will take a miracle to make other objects acceptable. But the young class seated around the table of Elisha were willing to believe there was great danger. They felt that God alone could make their food safe, and the faith of their teacher saved them from death. The alarm was given, and acted upon. But in these great assemblies the alarm makes little impression. No Elisha is there to present the truth; or if he is, few believe him. The terrible effects of the poison will be realized by and by.