Good Testimony, Unwillingly Given.
The N. Y. Witness, a religious paper, first disavows its belief in the Advent faith, apparently to keep straight with popular sentiment, and then goes on to acknowledge that the evidence is strongly against them, and in favor of the Adventists’ faith. Surely, the world is without excuse, if they will not discern the signs of the times. The following is its article:— “A number of earnest Christians believe that all things in this world are waxing worse and worse, and will continue to do so till the Lord in person consumes wickedness with the breath of his mouth and the brightness of his coming. We do not subscribe to this view, as we think much is being gained through the efforts of the church universal in the preaching of the gospel, Christian Associations, Sabbath-schools, Missions, and the use of the press. We think also the reflex influence of Christianity in promoting civilization, education, and intelligence is doing much. Nevertheless, when we look abroad on the almost universal corruption of political parties and corporations; the willingness of the people to elect the worst men; the fearful strength of popery; the widely withering influence of scientific rationalism and bald infidelity; the eleven thousand dram-shops in this city, defying the law, and the authorities winking at them; leading journals advertising assignations, procuresses, and abortionists; the waste of more means upon the filthy and offensive uses of tobacco than would be necessary to double all the religious, benevolent, and educational efforts of the time—when we see ingenious swindles like the Credit Mobilier participated in by leading statesmen in this model Republic and Canada; seats in legislative bodies, and even on the Bench, made matters of traffic and gain; when the question with grasping monopolies is only whether it is cheaper to buy the electors or the elected, we are apt to exclaim: The whole head is faint and the whole heart sick! Nor is it reassuring to turn to the evangelical churches and see twice as much laid out on edifices as is necessary, whilst the heathen perish day by day; nor to learn that as much is paid to four men and women with good voices (but probably no other valuable qualification) for singing on Sunday as to the pastor and preacher of the congregation; or to be informed that Christian ladies, wearing dresses and ornaments costing it may be several thousand dollars, contribute a few cents to a missionary collection; when we see all these things, and a great deal more, we are almost inclined to ask: Are not the Advent brethren right?