BABYLON IS FALLEN by J. P. Henderson

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 7, 1897

BABYLON IS FALLEN.

By J. P. Henderson

FROM the Baptist Union of March 7 we learn that the Rev. William B. Hale, of Middleboro, Mass., kept a record from June 1, 1894, to June 1, 1895, of the doings of the various religious societies of the land, for the purpose of raising money; and adds “that nothing could be more disheartening than a review of these performances.”

Mr. Hale is credited as calling them “honorable kinds of thievery,” and is further quoted as saying that “it is a matter of common knowledge that churches have methods of raising money which are fraudulent, and nobody is horrified by the knowledge, because nobody to-day takes the churches any more seriously than they take themselves.” “It is indeed difficult for the imagination to connect these modern societies, occupied in giving suppers, and popular entertainments, with the church which once worshiped God in simplicity and seriousness, filled with heavenly aspirations.” “Modern religious methods do not find their pattern in the earlier churches.” “We are not informed that the church at Ephesus or Philippi ever advertised a clambake, a bazaar, or a strawberry sociable.” “We have no information that St. Paul was accustomed to give stereopticon lectures, Barnabas operating the lantern.” “It is not clearly established that St. Athanasius ever arranged a kirmess, a broom drill, or a pink tea.”

The above is a specimen of the lamentations that may be seen from time to time in the religious press of nearly all denominations, yet the rolling tide is onward, and these very writers and editors will usually pay their quarter and go to the show just the same.

One of the latest copyrighted fads for the churches’ financial harvest is “The Old Maids’ Convention,” described as a “side-splitting entertainment.” It was a short time since monopolized in this town by the Y. P. S. C. E. of the — Church. The pastor of this same church vacated his pulpit recently in favor of a lecturer on “Good Citizenship,” who strongly advocated the union of Church and State.

When the world steps in and the Spirit of God steps out, it is very natural that an appeal should be made to the “powers that be” for strength to enforce their dogmas. Babylon indeed is fallen. How precious the truth seems in the midst of these “perilous times.” J. P. HENDERSON.

Goodland, Ind.