New Gods That Came Newly Up
By P. T. Magan
IN the thirty-second chapter of Deuteronomy and the seventeenth verse it is written concerning the children of Israel: “They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up.” In heathen countries new gods and new religions are constantly springing up. To the shrine of these the pious worshipers immediately flock. To these senseless images of wood and stone they bring their sacrifices of sheep and cattle, of gold and silver and precious stones. The hard-earned money of weeks of toil, the little savings which had been laid up against the day of trouble, are all in a few hours expended as a sacrifice to some worthless new god that came newly up. Nor is this all. In the course of a few weeks or months, these gods become old and out of date, and still other “new gods” come “newly up,” calling for fresh expenditures of means and further sacrifices on the part of their devotees. Thus it is on account of these “new gods” which in a never-failing stream keep on coming “newly up” that the devil is able to keep the mind of the heathen continually engrossed. Thus it is that the great mass of the heathen are made poor and are kept poor, their money being consumed in sacrifices to these worthless idols whom they vainly hope will be able to give them happiness. But the means expended upon, and the sacrifices made to, these degrading idols do not bring real happiness at all. In the end the heathen awake to find that they have “sold themselves for naught.” Satan’s principles are ever the same, and in all this there are lessons for the Christian to-day. We are not tempted to bow down to idols of wood and stone. Our adversary knows that an attempt to get us to do this would be useless. Nevertheless, the principle involved in “new gods that came newly up” still lives and works. Have you ever noticed that you will go along perhaps for months or years without some article of dress or comfort or pleasure, and then are suddenly seized with a desire to possess it? This to you is a new god “that came newly up.” It is not, to be sure, a graven image of stone, but you have sacrificed your God-given means at its altar, as verily as does the benighted heathen sacrifice to his new god. The money which is needed in the work of God has been prostituted to another purpose. The devil is continually manufacturing new gods with which to ensnare us. A few years ago there was a perfect craze for bicycles. Almost every young man and woman became infatuated with a desire to possess one. Convenience, health, longevity, were all urged as reasons why one should be purchased. At that time the spirit of prophecy stated that other infatuations and delusions would follow this one. Since then the automobile, altogether unknown a few years ago, has appeared. There is now a rage for this sort of vehicle. With many it has become an absorbing passion. This, too, is a “new god that came newly up.” The cause of Christ is suffering for means, while our money is continually being invested in new idols—new gods newly come up. My brother, my sister, has Satan brought any new god to the altar of your heart? It may be a piece of land, a fine horse and buggy, a new dress, some expensive furniture. Is it something you have done without for years, but for which you now feel an insatiable desire? Beware of this “new god that came newly up.” Of those who expended their money on “new gods” in days of old, God says, “They sacrificed unto devils.” And when Christians now use their God-given wealth to satisfy some imaginary want, they sacrifice to the evil one. The pleasure which they hoped to derive from their “new god” either is not realized21at all, or it soon fades away. The “new god” quickly becomes an old one. Satan then brings up something else to take its place. It matters but little to him if he can keep our minds engrossed with the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and the sinful lusts of the flesh. Be it land, house, carriage, furniture, or dress, it is nothing to him so long as the money is kept from investment in the gospel message for the salvation of souls. In the REVIEW AND HERALD of Dec. 3, 1903, was an article from Sister White on the Battle Creek College debt and the Missionary Acre Fund. There are people, aged brethren and sisters, who are waiting for the money which the Battle Creek College owes them. Some are in deep distress for need of it. They have loyally supported the cause, and now since old age and infirmities have overtaken them, they need the money which they loaned this institution, in order that they may be able to live. Are there not thousands who will take the means which they had intended to sacrifice to some “new god” and dedicate it to the Missionary Acre Fund, that these who are bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh in the third angel’s message shall not be left to suffer? All contributions to the Missionary Acre Fund should be sent to the undersigned at Berrien Springs, Mich.