p. 419 | J. O. BEARD by J. O. Beard

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 3, 1900

J. O. BEARD

By J. O. Beard

100 A. D. AND 1900 A. D.

J. O. BEARD

100 A. D.

“WHEN heathen converts were received into the church, it was natural they should bring with them some taint of their old philosophy and former superstitions, and some fondness for the rites and ceremonies of their idolatrous worship. . . . Sometimes the teachers of religion were too indulgent to these prejudices; and in order that the gospel might be less offensive, tolerated, in their new converts, opinions and practices little consistent with it. . . . From these sources, therefore, we shall find spring up many of the errors and heresies that deformed the beauty and marred the peace of the church during the first three or four centuries.”—Wharey’s Church History, page 24.

This began to be done about the end of the first century, and was done “to remove the offense of the cross.” That is, in order to gain a greater number of members, the church did not require her converts to conform to the true measure of Christianity, but allowed them to retain, not only in their thoughts but also in their actions, much that was heathenish. Of course they expected to educate and lift up these unconverted “converts” to the true standard. But instead of so doing, the whole church was dragged down to this lower level. But this low standard of Christianity was again lowered “to remove the offense of the cross,” and again the church was dragged down. This was repeated until the church of Christ, dragged down to the level of the world, was made so popular that it became the fashion to unite with it.

Speaking of this condition, one historian says: “A pagan flood flowing into the church carried with it its customs, practices, and idols. . . . The greater part of Constantine’s pagan subjects, while in appearance Christians, remained in substance pagans, especially worshiping in secret their idols. But the church did not prevent the sin. . . . The church was then too weak to resist the abuses brought in by the inundation of paganism; further, it was no longer the upright and severe church of Christ; becoming vain of having many millions of adherents, it did not closely examine their faith.”—Gavazzi’s Lectures, page 290. Wharey’s Church History, page 24, says the Christianity of this and later times, “might be termed, without much impropriety of language, baptized paganism.”

In this way was the banner of truth trailed in the dust, and the crimson-dyed flag of sin flaunted to the world. Thus did the church turn from worshiping God to serving Satan. This is what caused the Dark Ages, and formed the papacy. All this naturally followed that first lowering of the standard of Christianity, and that was done in order to get those into the church who would not come unless they could still practice their pet indulgences.

1900 A. D.

“Methodist ministers from the New York Conference will go to Chicago next week to urge before the General Conference a revision of the rules prohibiting dancing, card-playing, and theater-going.”—Morning American, Creston, Iowa, April 25, 1900.

In giving the reasons for the proposed change the same paper quotes Dr. J. J. Reed, of New York, as saying: “I consider that the enforcement, or rather the retention—for they are not enforced—of the present regulations is cultivating a false standard of conscience among the young of our churches. Those who come in, frequently violate these rules about card-playing and dancing. The church is to some measure responsible.” That is, the standard was lowered enough to let these pleasure-lovers into the church without having evidence that they were truly converted. And, having got them into the church, it happened exactly as it did before—instead of lifting them up, they dragged the church down. But its rules still prohibit dancing, card-playing, and theater-going; and those who are deliberately and habitually breaking these rules made a solemn pledge, in the presence of their brethren and sisters in the church, faithfully to obey these very rules.

Thus it is plainly evident that the “false standard of conscience” that is being cultivated is that a person may deliberately and habitually violate a solemn and sacred pledge, and at the same time be a good Christian. And the remedy proposed is not to discipline and convert, or to dismiss, these lawless members, but so to amend the laws that they can enjoy their pet indulgences without breaking their word.

As a further reason for changing the rules, Dr. Reed says, “The fact that these rules exist drives away from the church many young people who would otherwise worship with us.” That is, the church must have members, and, in order to get those who are yet too honest to promise to obey rules that they have no intention of obeying, it is proposed to change the rules. And Dr. Reed is not alone in this matter. The names of Dr. George P. Mains and Dr. Joseph Pullman, both delegates to the Methodist General Conference, are given as

indorsing the proposed change, and one or two Conferences have been agitating in favor of the same. If the General Conference should not abolish these rules, it will make practically no difference; for it is openly admitted that they are violated, with no notice being taken of the violation; and also that ministers receive into the church young persons with the expectation that they will break their word by disobeying these rules.

In this is being plainly worked out, before our very eyes, an illustration of the steps that debased the church of Christ, and formed Babylon in its stead. Truly, these last days are perilous because proud, boastful “lovers of their own selves” have put on the form of godliness as a cloak to hide their sins. And emphatic is the command of God, “From such turn away.” 1 Tim. 3: 1–5. “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.