p. 5 | HOW SADLY FALLEN! by Gospel Message

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 19, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 54.

HOW SADLY FALLEN!

By Gospel Message

FROM simple socials which were designed to cultivate sociability of the members, the church has rapidly passed on to the amusement business for revenue only. Every known device is sought by which the depleted treasuries of churches may be enriched. The poverty of her piety is equaled by the poverty of her pence. Having no faith in the Holy Spirit's power to satisfy the cravings of his children, she seeks the devil's devices to foster the carnal nature of the deluded flock, and at the same time turn an honest penny for the mock minister who plays the role of preacher. She learns no lessons from the teachings of Scripture, nor from the example of Christ, who twice cleansed the outer court of the temple of the money changers, who were there to sell—not aprons and dolls and oyster stews—but offerings for sacrifices, a far more legitimate occupation.

Her touch with the world has made her more bold and brazen. She is no longer satisfied with cheap imitations of worldly pleasure, but longs, with a good, old-fashioned, carnal lust, after the genuine article. Time hangs heavily upon her hands. The precious pleasures of the world stand in strange contrast to the rigid religious rites which she formerly approved. She longs for the caress and smile of the world. She would have it understood that she is not old-fashioned, but full of enterprise and worldly guile. She is on a mad race for popularity. In her effort to outdo the world she has undone herself, and her once beautiful garments are befouled.—Gospel Message.