Which Is It?

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Apr 14, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 15.

Is it “like priest, like people,” or “like people, like priest”? An earnest, God-fearing minister wrote us the other day quoting the former. He is not alone; it is generally misquoted that way. Yet the passage reads: “As they [God’s professed people] were multiplied, so they sinned against Me, I will turn their glory into shame. They feed on the sin of My people [instead of God’s word], and set their heart on their iniquity. And it shall be like people, like priest; and I will punish them for their ways, and requite them their doings.” Hosea 4:7-9. The priest—preacher—has as a general thing ever been disposed to do right. His sin has been that he has yielded to the pressure of the age, to the worldliness among his people, instead of acting the faithful watchman. It is the people who “heap to themselves teachers having itching ears.” They prefer such in periods of backsliding. The awful sin of God’s watchmen has ever been that contrary to their better judgment, superior knowledge, and solemn vows, they yield to the demands of the people.