Babylon Is Fallen by J. B. Goodrich

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 8, 1883

Babylon Is Fallen.

By J. B. Goodrich

BY ELD. J. B. GOODRICH.

AFTER the proclamation of the first angel's message, Rev. 14 : 6, 7, the second angel announces the fall of Babylon. After her fall she changes her position, and "Becomes the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Rev. 18: 2. When the application of the fall of Babylon is made to the popular churches as bodies (not as individuals), it seems as though no candid person can fail to see the correctness of the position taken. The Lord says, "Come out of her my people [then there are those in her after she falls that are recognized as God's people], that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Rev. 18 : 4.

Paul describes the last days as perilous: "For men shall be lovers of their own selves;" and "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof; from such turn away." 2 Tim. 3 : 1, 5. Now note the fulfillment: Let an appointment be given for a prayer-meeting in the vestry, there to meet with Jesus, the Saviour of the world, the one that loved us so well that he laid down his own dear life for our sakes, and you may find six, eight, ten, or twelve present, out of a church numbering from fifty to two hundred or more. Some are driven with work; or they are not feeling well, and the weather is a little unfavorable, and they would be sure to get cold if they should go out in the evening, so they stay at home. But appoint a levee, where they are going to have the grab-bag, the post-office, the fish-pond, the pound cake, the cake with the gold ring, or the oyster supper, and in many cases a dance, and you will see the work will be laid one side, and the feeble ones will be on hand. If it snows or rains a little it does not stop them; they are not afraid of getting cold now; there is going to be so much fun and a good time generally that they cannot possibly afford to be absent. The vestry will be well filled and the report goes out that there were some over two hundred people present. Where are we living? Answer: "In the last days;" "Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God." I was reminded of this when I read the following in one of our county papers of January 25, 1882:—

"SUPPER AND SOCIABLE.—The supper and auction sale of young ladies at the Congregational church last evening was a success in every particular, there being over two hundred people present. There were thirteen young ladies on the auctioneer's block, and they sold all the way from one dollar each, to four for twenty-five cents, but seventy-five cents seemed to be about the general price. Owing to the early commencement of the sale many of the heaviest bidders on such goods were unable to reach there in season to take part, which accounts for some of the great sacrifices made. After the supper was served, the tables were removed and a grand social time was enjoyed by both old and young.

"The same society are to give an oyster supper with an auction sale of twenty-five young ladies at their vestry on Tuesday evening February 7, sale to commence at 7:30 o'clock, thereby giving all who wish to bid an opportunity of being present and taking part."

Hartland, Me.