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Diana or Christ

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Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Sep 2, 1913

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 40, No. 34.

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Diana or Christ

By Margaret Wright

By Margaret Wright
EDWIN LONG'S GREAT PICTURE “CHRIST OR DIANA”
EDWIN LONG'S GREAT PICTURE “CHRIST OR DIANA”
A few grains of incense upon the flame, And that is the all; but the holy name Of Him who died for the sin-cursed race Is rejected. Diana takes its place — Diana, the goddess of the sun, Honored by almost every one. Diana or Christ? Thank God, not all Responded then to the sun-god's call.
Diana or Christ? Still the call goes now To bow at the feet of the sun-god now, Just as it did in the days of old, When only a few were brave and bold — When pagan Rome, with her flame and sword, Killed those who stood for His holy word. Diana or Christ? The conflict's on. Soon will the battle forever be won.
Diana or Christ? Can it be that we Live now in an age of idolatry? The same sun is worshiped now as then, And adored by multitudes of men. The same call goes to bow at the shrine Of the same sun-god — to its laws incline. But His faithful word, as in days gone by, Points the way to Him who reigns on high — Points the way to the God of truth and right, And leads from the darkness into light; Shows which is the day He gave and blessed, That we might from care and labor rest, And learn of Him who all things made, Our thoughts and hopes on Him be stayed, Nor lead us some other god to love, But only the God who reigns above.
A controversy wide, fierce, and strong Is waging now between right and wrong. The enemy of our souls has tried God's great memorial to hide. He slyly forth has brought a day, And banished the hallowed one away. The masses follow, with blinded eyes, Their leader — the father of all lies.
The heathen feast-day of the sun Is honored by almost every one. So an effort is made that those who rest On the day our Creator hallowed and blessed, Must homage pay to the god of wrong, Then all the world to him be won. They are calling you now, O friend. Beware! Keep your heart uplift to God in prayer.
Diana or Christ? What a little thing Can reproach to the cause of our Saviour bring! Such a trifling thing to the incense burn! But that trifle proves to which god we turn. O brother, O sister, be firm, be true To the God above who cares for you, And stay not a moment to count the price. Be firm, and choose — not Diana — but Christ.
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.