p. 168 | BE LIKE THE WORLD by R. F. Cottrell

The Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 20, 1879

BE LIKE THE WORLD.

By R. F. Cottrell

Strange as it may seem, this is the advice given by a professedly religious journal: Be just as much conformed to the world as possible, the more the better. We are meeting with surprises thick and fast in the religious world in these days. Not long ago we gave, in our columns, a paragraph from a religious paper going to show that we are now in Heaven and hell just as much as we ever shall be. Now comes another giving the advice above mentioned. And this is no less a journal than the New York Independent, and these are its words:—

“Some things recorded in Scripture are not applicable now, although they were applicable at the time in which they were uttered. Thus, when Paul wrote, ‘Be not conformed to the world,’ he gave very sensible advice for his time, when the world was hostile to Christianity; although the advice is very unsuitable now, after the world has become Christianized, and its spirit is in the main controlled by Christianity.”

This appeared in the Independent of Oct. 30, 1879. Our astonishment was and is so great at usefulness of the association which should satisfy every one who may have had honest doubts. I am not sorry that I gave my hand to the work at once; and I shall expect to see those who have hesitated taking hold of the work. Like other general moves recommended by our leading brethren, its fruit is good, which proves it to be Heaven-sent. R. F. COTTRELL.