p. 8 | In 1876 | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 21, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 29.

IN 1876.

Under the title “Is the Poor Man My Brother,” and in the year 1876, Christian Voices contained the following:—

“As our country advances in wealth, civilization, and refinement, the chasm is widening between the rich and poor, the cultured and the ignorant, and the Christianity of the times has felt the influence.

“The church of to-day is fashionable and entertaining, so that it meets the tastes and wants of the upper class. We do not object to this if the other class is not thereby neglected.

“We have been too much absorbed in memorializing the triumphs of Christianity in costly churches, and public and charitable institutions, and not enough interested in the great multitude of the ignorant and the unsaved. We have been wise, doubtless, in multiplying our colleges and improving our church architecture, but there is a danger of our running mad on this subject.

“In some of our churches there is very little sympathy for the poor man. He is not wanted in the rich man's pew. His rough clothing is an annoyance, if not an offense, to broadcloth and silk. His presence detracts from the service, and they can't half worship God, who is the common Father. They don't realize that the poor man by their side is their brother.

“St. James’ Epistle is of questionable authenticity to these church autocrats, and his assertion that those who have respect to persons of ‘gay clothing’ have not the faith of Christ, is an effete gospel.

“The devil in satin and jeweled with diamonds would be invited in with Christian courtesy, while a saint in threadbare garments and with haggard and careworn face would be only tolerated by Christian charity.

“Would Christ know His church if He were to come to earth? If He should come as the despised Nazarene and humble carpenter, He might not find a welcome in some of our modern churches. He would at least prefer to lodge in the manger; to be the guest of sinners; to go home with such men as Zaccheus, or preach to the common people, who have ever heard him gladly.

“Tell me, are such churches the church of Christ? Have they the creed and spirit of the Master? They may be beautiful edifices, have fashionable audiences, elegant music, and eloquent preaching, but not much of Christ or of His Spirit, which is Christianity.”

The foregoing was true and very applicable in 1876, but how much more so to-day! The church as a mass has drifted so far away from Christ that it no longer recognizes His methods of helping the poor and unfortunate. This is a most palpable truth, and yet how many church-members refuse to acknowledge it!