BABYLON IS FALLEN by Uriah Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 2, 1877

BABYLON IS FALLEN.

By Uriah Smith

In Truth for the People, of July 28, 1877, published in Detroit, Mich., we find the following item, which we cannot dismiss with the common-place remark that it speaks for itself; for it does more than that: it speaks for modern popular Christianity and tells a doleful tale of its fallen condition:—

“There is considerable gossip here concerning the business and financial troubles of the Sea Cliff Grove and Metropolitan Camp-ground Association. Since the arrest of Mr. L. C. Battershall on the charge of swindling, it has been alleged that there have been many instances of unwise and extravagant expenditures of the funds of the association. The lands, docks, piers, buildings, avenues, and all improvements and repairs since 1872 have cost nearly half a million of dollars. The principal cause of controversy is the different views as to the government of the association. One party is in favor of prohibiting dancing, billiards, and like amusements in the Sea Cliff Hotel and other buildings on the grounds. The other party maintain that

such amusements are harmless. The amusement party are in the ascendant, and dancing, billiards, etc., are the order of the day. On Saturday evening there was a grand ‘hop’ in the hotel, and merriment goes hand in hand with religious services.”

We pronounce a Christianity of the foregoing type, let it fit up camp-grounds as it will, and make what preparation it pleases for the outward forms of religious worship,—fallen. It is evident that the vast sums of money are expended more with a view to the pleasure than the worship. Think of religious services interspersed with “grand hops,” billiards, and dancing. Such is not the religion of the Bible. It is not a cross-bearing, self-denying religion like that practiced and taught by the Master. But it is a worldly, fun-loving, spurious, vain religion.

No surer sentence of condemnation could be passed upon it than this in the foregoing extract: “Merriment goes hand in hand with religious services.” And the church goes “hand in hand” with the world. Has the world come up to the church? No; but the church has gone down to the world. So, said the apostle, they shall be “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;” and he said it should be so in the last days; and he solemnly warns all the true people of God to turn away from such, or if they are connected with them, to come out from among them. 2 Tim. 3:1–5.

If they could be made to see the evil condition they are in, one of their first inquiries would be for the cause which had brought them there. But others raise this inquiry; and it is not difficult to answer.

The Boston Congregationalist lately published the following, which the London Christian Herald characterizes as “infidel scoffing against the Second Advent, the true hope of the church”:—

“We suggest to Mr. Moody, Mr. Moorhouse, Miss Smiley, and other evangelists, that it is regarded by many as an introduction of controversy to advocate their peculiar notions respecting the Second Advent. Most certainly this is a ‘controverted topic,’ quite as much so as is the subject of baptism or of election. Evangelical Christians are divided as to the teaching of Scripture, and the great majority of them in America do not accept the doctrine of the pre-millennial visible advent of the Saviour.”

So the Congregationalist can designate the views of Messrs. Moody, Patterson, Moorhouse, and others, only as their “peculiar notions.” This is a “controverted topic,” and therefore must not be mentioned! What a splendid position that puts them in to receive new light and truth! But, “Evangelical Christians are divided, as to the teaching of Scripture.” That is the very trouble. That is why the prophet applies to them the term Babylon, that is, mixture, confusion. Why should they be divided on the plain declarations of the Scriptures on this point? They might just as well be divided in regard to the question whether Christ has ever made his first advent, as upon the question whether he is to come again pre-millennially and visibly.

The London Christian Herald makes answer to this paragraph from the Congregationalist, and tells the churches of America why they are so dead spiritually. It says:—

“In answer to the Congregationalist, we simply remark that the prevalence of Universalism, Unitarianism, theatrical exhibitions and dancing parties inside the American churches, and much of the wide-spread immorality and commercial dishonesty in America, is owing to the failure of American ministers to preach the second coming of Christ.”

This agrees exactly with Rev. 14:6-8. After the first message was introduced, announcing the near coming of Christ, and the churches rejected it, the next announcement was, Babylon is fallen, is fallen. And their present low and corrupt condition is owing, says the Christian Herald, to the fact that they do not preach the coming of Christ. So long as they manifest such a character, and countenance such practices, they must not be surprised if we use the same terms which the Bible applies to them. We verily believe that the time is drawing near when Rev. 18:1-4, is to be fulfilled, and the world is to be warned against leaning on a form of Christianity which will surely fail them in the day of God. May the Lord save his people from the spirit of this time. U. S.