LOVERS OF PLEASURES by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 21, 1889

"LOVERS OF PLEASURES."

By Editor

WE wonder how it is that professed followers of Christ can engage in the questionable ways of raising money for sacred purposes that are so prevalent at the present time,—cake-walks, fairs, grab-bags, post-offices, crazy suppers, etc., etc., till we come to mock marriages. Everything sacred is either travestied or dishonored by these affairs. The following from a correspondent in the Interior of December 27 presents by no means (would to God that it did) an exceptionable case:—

"The church is denouncing divorce with their pens and lips and fostering it by their actions. I inclose you notice distributed to every family in this village, and announced as for the benefit of the Presbyterian Church, i. e., to raise money. The ladies are requested to prepare the menu for the occasion. A grand time is promised. Now what do we place be-

fore our boys and girls? Why, a man 17 years and a lady 14 years are to be married. What must be the impression? Must it not be to the young that to get married is the one thing needful and the younger the better. We would like to hear of Christ as the loving elder Brother, as the risen Saviour, and all about his love for a sinful world, once more."

And here is another taken from the Christian Oracle of the same date:—

"The ladies of the Christian Church have changed the program for their New Year's eve supper. Instead of being just a plain oyster supper, as at first announced, it has been transmuted into a chicken-pie supper. An old hen will be caged, and the one guessing nearest her age may have supper free. Crazy waiters will dish up the fowl for you, and luny fortune tellers will read your history. New Year's eve, remember."

Virtually such say, We are willing to give to the cause of Christ if it will minister to our carnal pleasures of appetite, fun, frolic, and lust. We are glad, however, that there are some who protest against it, and who desire the preaching of the cross of Christ. But as for the Christian church as a whole, its broad-mindedness and liberality are a matter of boasting. "Whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." Phil. 3:19.

"The church has fallen, the beautiful church, And her shame is her boast and pride."