Itching Ears | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 3, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 21.

Itching Ears.

The following instance related by the Herald and Presbyter is an excellent comment upon 2 Tim. 4: 3, and shows that religious teachers are too often just what the people require them to be. They demand of their ministers that they speak smooth things and prophesy deceits, and then they accept these utterances as the word of God:—

“Some years ago a minister was invited to the pastorate of a city church. He was talented. He began by preaching the old, old gospel with all the eloquence that was in him. But the crowds that he hoped to attract did not come. He found in the popular literature of the day new theories of eschatology—suggestions as to a possible probation after death. He thought: ‘Well, now there may be something in those theories, and at any rate they will please not a few of the nicest people in my congregation who think that hell is too harsh a word for ears polite.’

“So he quit preaching about future punishment, and threw beautiful rainbows of speculation over the dark clouds that overshadow the grave. At once he became popular. The daily papers sent reporters to take down his sermons. His church was crowded. His name was trumpeted all over the land. Thus suddenly finding himself famous, he rejoiced, for now his sphere of usefulness was enlarged, and he determined to fill it with faithful work. But he soon found that popularity is a relentless tyrant. It demanded weekly new concessions, and more startling novelties. To hold his congregations he was compelled to keep on tickling their itching ears, and the result is that he has made shipwreck of the faith.”