LOVERS OF PLEASURES by E. W. Whitney

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 15, 1879

LOVERS OF PLEASURES.

By E. W. Whitney

In Review No. 15, present volume, appeared two articles, one headed, “The Last Days,” and the other, “Denying the Power,” calling attention to two important points in Paul’s declarations concerning the last days in 2 Tim. 3:1-5, and noting their fulfillment at the present time.

About the same time I clipped from the Syracuse Journal of March 17, 1879, the following item, which certainly indicates a condition of things necessary to the fulfillment of another specification of Paul’s prediction, viz., “Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God:”—

“HAPPY TIME.”

“The happiest time of the season in the Young Men’s Christian Association was last Saturday evening. Over one hundred young men were present. Games, singing, and refreshments made up the programme. Secretary Sayford is puzzled to know where to get sufficient room to entertain the large number of young men now seeking the pleasure of the Saturday night social. We hope the friends of the Y. M. C. A. in our city will come to his support, and rescue him from his dilemma. His works are beginning to bear rich fruit, and his friends should see to it that he wants for nothing.”

The association referred to above has been making strong efforts during the past winter to awaken a religious interest, especially among the young people of Syracuse—holding daily prayer-meetings and other religious services. We do not learn, however, that these have proved successful; but when it comes to the “social,” the programme of which is given above, room is wanting, even in their spacious building, for the accommodation of those seeking the “pleasure” of the occasion.

This is only an instance of what we can see about us everywhere. Any careful observer cannot fail to be convinced that we are living in the time to which Paul referred. We are indeed in the “last days.” The end is right upon us! May the Lord help us to arouse, and be prepared for it.

E. W. WHITNEY.

Manlius Station, N. Y., May 1.