Value of Vows

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 9, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 27.

Value of Vows.—Much has been made of vows, pledges, etc., as helps to Christian life; but they are generally but frail human reeds, which if leaned upon will break to pieces, instead of supporting. Referring to this in reply to the Jesuit priest, Father Richards, the Western Watchman, a Roman Catholic paper, says:—

“The Blessed mother of God made no vows. The apostles made no vows. The strongest obligation known to the divine economy of grace is the one that binds a man to acquire the perfection befitting his state. The obligations of a priest in ordination are not vows, but they are above all vows, and are conditions of his entrance into the kingdom of God.

“Father Richards has put forth the claim that has filled the orders with hypocrites and the world with scoffers. Has Tetzel come again?”

All these are doubtless true; but they are all a constituent part of every man-made religion.