p. 63 | Men and Things by D. M. Carright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 8, 1871

Men and Things.

By D. M. Carright

ON CHOIRS.

The following will show up the abomination of paid choirs which are now becoming so numerous and popular:—

“The Western Watchman (Roman Catholic) objects to the employment of paid singers in churches: ‘Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, Jews, and infidels, are introduced into our choirs to sing out in chorus the Creed—they are paid to shout lies to Heaven, to roar in operatic quartettes a faith which they in their hearts despise and ridicule. We pay them to sing out solemn mockeries set to music to tickle the ears of worldly Christians. A Jew singing, ‘I believe in Jesus Christ.’ A Methodist soloing ‘and in one baptism.’ A Baptist melodiously protesting that he believes in ‘one holy Catholic and apostolic Church.’ An infidel sounding forth in masterly cadences the ‘Vitam Venturi sæculi.’ Absurd! Sacrilegious! Blasphemous! It is a wonder that God does not strike with muteness these desecrators of the church.”

BEECHER ON THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL.

“Now, having looked at the forces which are at work for the spread of Christianity, let us look a little at the field into which it has been carried. The whole world has been ransacked and explored; there is not now a corner on the globe where Christianity is unknown. And the missionaries that have been, now for more than half a century, at work, have leavened almost every quarter of the globe. There is a leaven in operation among the nations of the earth that is beginning to work. There is a light kindled throughout the world that is beginning to send forth its rays.”

Compare this fact with Christ’s declaration, Matt. 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Does Mr. Beecher know whereof he affirms? Does he tell the truth? No one will question it. Well, then the gospel has gone to all nations. “There is not a corner on the globe where Christianity is unknown.” Then the end must be near, very near. May the Lord help us to believe, and to hold fast a little longer.

“TOO BAD, POOR FELLOW!”

These were the words that I overheard while riding in the cars some time since. They arrested my attention, and I turned to hear what it meant. Two men were talking of a friend who came to Iowa, only a few years ago, entered into business, and in a short time acquired a fine property. Last year he made several thousand dollars. Everything appeared to be prosperous and happy. One day he went out hunting, the gun in his hand was accidentally discharged, mortally wounding him; and after a few brief hours of suffering, he died, a young man in the prime of life. “Too bad, poor fellow!” Yes, indeed, how true. How sudden his career of prosperity was brought to an end! How quick his cup of pleasure was dashed to the ground! Being a worldly, ambitious man, probably he died without hope in Christ; and thus his sun has set forever. His wealth can never profit him more. There is no more happiness, no more joy, for him.

But this is only one case, out of innumerable ones which are occurring around us almost daily. To-day a man is in the prime of life, in health and strength, surrounded with friends, hopeful and prosperous; long years of promise stretch out before him. To-morrow all this is gone, and he himself is a corpse. How uncertain are human affairs. I once knew a family consisting of a young man, his wife, and one child. They were in fine circumstances; their prospects for life were excellent. Indeed their lot seemed to be one to be envied. But sickness came into the family. In one short week their child was stricken down and laid in the grave. In another week the husband was taken, leaving no will. Much of the property was taken from the wife. What a change in that poor woman’s prospects in the course of a few days! How sad, how desolate must her heart have been.

While we talk of these things, it does not seem that we shall ever thus be called to suffer. But we cannot tell. How much better, how much easier, then, to seek our friends, our home, and our hope, in the land where these things can never come! Dear reader, there is such a land; it is not a myth, a fable. The great God lives to-day, Christ lives, and angels live. There is a happy land, where death cannot come, where there are no tears, no sighing, no sorrow. It is real. A home there with happiness and joy will be sweet. It will be more precious than the best of homes and circumstances here. Shall we not be wise and make sure of a home in that better country? “Too bad, poor fellow!” How these words ring in my ears! I can never forget them. May they not be said of me sometime? May they not be said of the reader? If so, are you prepared for the better world?

D. M. CARRIGHT.