p. 114 | BACKWARD AND FORWARD by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 26, 1892

BACKWARD AND FORWARD.

By Editor

It is more restful in a long journey occasionally to have some steep hills to climb, if for nothing else than from their summit to look back over the ground traversed, and forward to what lies before. A constant dead level becomes wearisome in its monotony. Such a summit of a hill is the close of the old year and the opening of the new. Such a retrospect of the past, and introspection of the present and future, are nowhere more profitable than in the religious life, and in the progress of the work of God in the earth.

The only proper standard by which to judge of past, present, and future is authentic history and the facts of the present, illumined and revivified by the truth of God’s word, which also opens to us in no small measure the future. If we follow our own standards, if we judge by the light of our own faint, flickering tapers, if we judge by the standard of the present age, which is ever boastful of its attainments in knowledge and righteousness, we shall be wofully led astray.

In the religious world the year has been indeed a noted one. There has been greater consecration on the part of many individuals, we believe, than before for years; but there has been greater backsliding on the part of the great churches, or at least clearer manifestations of backsliding from God. Do not turn away, reader, but pause and note some of the evidences everywhere visible. Advancement in spiritual life is not shown by increase in wealth, increase in numbers, increase in great institutions, increase in worldly and political influence. All these may be manifest, as they are indeed at the present time, but they are not evidences that the church knows more of Christ, or has more of his power. Neither are great efforts put forth for union and coöperation such evidence. There is a union which counts some of the plainest truths of God nonessential, and puts the expediency of man above the truth of God. The only true union is union with Jesus Christ through God’s word. But true advancement in spiritual life is marked, has always been marked, by greater consecration to God, greater sacrifice and self-denial in the daily life, a clearer separation from worldly aims, policy, principles, and methods, more

of the power of godliness in transforming men from the influences of selfishness to the likeness of Christ, and bringing forth in them the fruits of the Spirit instead of the works of the flesh.

Greater reverence for the word of God, greater boldness in speaking that word, and greater devotion to him whom that word reveals, are marked evidences of progress in the spiritual life. Less laudation of men, and more prayer and praise to God, make the growing church. Do we see these in the great churches of the present time—churches that in the past did such noble work? It is an easy matter for men who have reaped their millions from the people to build great churches, and schools, and institutions; but it is not such works which show love to God. Love is revealed by sacrifice. The widow with two mites gave more than the wealthy Pharisee who bestowed gold.

There never was a time since the early church was riven and torn by heresies that there was so much talk of “union” and “unity” as now. But what is that union?—It is on a parallel with the “Christian charity” or “liberty” now so much vaunted. The charity, or love, of the Bible “rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth.” But a large part of that called Christian love by the world will minify or despise some of the plainest declarations of God’s word, while it magnifies some institutions and things which have no place in the Bible. The “union” so much talked of at present is a union which sets aside the truth of God, and makes the rallying point the traditions of men.

Do we wish evidence of this?—Look at the federations of churches to-day. We have in this country the American Sabbath Union, the Y. P. S. C. E., the W. C. T. U., the National Reform Association, all federations of Protestant church members, or those so disposed, all rallying around an institution—the Sunday—for which no authority whatever is found in the word of God, which is wholly based on Roman Catholic traditions, and which makes void in the heart of him who receives it the commandment of God. Upon this they are united in the one respect of asking, yes, demanding, a law for the observance of the day. Upon any Bible question of importance, with reference to any great and vital truth, it is safe to say no such unanimity could be secured. These organizations, notably the National Reform Association, the American Sabbath Union, and the W. C. T. U., have lobbied, cajoled, flattered, and threatened politicians, till Congress yielded a few months since, and a United States Sunday law is the result, launching the ship of State on the sea of religious legislation, the rocks and shoals of which have wrecked and stranded so many noble craft in the past. Just previous to this the Supreme Court decided this to be a “Christian nation.”

Politicians have bent under the influence of the religious confederacies, and our glorious republic has started on her downward career. The church by this action has turned from Christ, the source of all her power, and sought the power of the State. She thus denies her lawful husband, Christ, and commits fornication. But, blind to this, she looks upon her political influence, her prosperity, her power to sway

the politicians, as evidence of God’s favor. Even so things went with Rome in the days of Constantine. The ripe fruit was reaped in the Dark Ages. Matters move with greater celerity in these days.

In Europe the influence of the Papacy is growing apace. Even in Protestant Germany, the home of Luther, the center of the Reformation, men are fined for speaking derogatory of Roman Catholicism, and books which show the Papacy in prophecy are prohibited in the free city of Hamburg.

What the future will reveal, God’s word has plainly delineated. Sad as it is to pen the sequel, we dare not do otherwise. The inevitable logic of facts, the history of all the past, show what is sure to follow the backsliding of the church, and her union with the world. It is the persecution of those who will do God’s will. The unparalleled corruption and extravagance of the nations betoken, as they always have, disintegration and destruction. And even so God’s word reveals. Joel 2 and 3, Revelation 13, 14, 17, and 18, Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, and many other passages, all show that we are living in the last days, and that the end of this Sunday-sabbath movement is persecution of the saints of God, of those who will do God’s will.

Are we discouraged?—Not at all. Are we pessimistic?—Nay, verily. God lives and reigns. Jesus Christ died for all; he lives for all; he pleads for all; he opens wide the door of grace, wondrous grace, for all. He invites all to come. He not only entreats, but sends a warning message to the uttermost parts of earth to point out the sure consequences, the terrible destruction, which will await those who forsake God and his gospel, and turn to the world and its tradition. See Rev. 14: 6–14.

From among those to whom that message goes God will save his people. Upon them he will pour out his Spirit more abundantly than the church has ever known, not excepting the day of Pentecost. Few though they be in number, unpopular in the world, the power of God will be with their message, for it is his message. And they will triumph gloriously over the beast and his image, his mark, and the number of his name, triumph gloriously in the Lord Jesus Christ. Great progress, greater than any previous years, has marked this work during 1892. We look for still greater blessings in the year to come.

Reader, will you not study these things in the light of God’s word, in the light of eternity? Will you not, in the beginning of the new year, yield to God, whatever others may do? Will you not let his light shine through you? If you do, it will indeed be to you what we earnestly wish, a happy new year.