Essentially Pagan

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 25, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 43.

Essentially Pagan.

That the doctrine of the intercession of the saints is essentially pagan is shown in what Dr. A. Wiedman reveals of the religious ideas of the Egyptians in about the days of Moses. He says (italics ours):—

"At all events, pantheism found its way only to the higher classes of the country, the majority of the population being attached neither to it nor to the adoration of the temple gods. Upon these latter they looked as too high to be willing to hear the complaints of the poor, and to be interested in their fate. As in this world they would not accost the Pharaoh in their troubles, but search to win the ear of one of his functionaries, hoping that this man would make way for their request to a higher authority, so they dared not bring their offering to Amon-Ra, or Ptah, in their rich and great temples, where their poor gift would have been easily overlooked by the god accustomed to the treasures the Pharaoh and his noblemen used to deposit on his altar. They tried to get hold of a mediator, who would consider their tribute as sufficient to be induced to forward their wishes, accompanied by a recommendation to the higher god."

This is the "intercession of Mary" and the "invocation of the saints" in an ancient setting. The theory is that God is too great and busy and far away to receive poor humanity, and so we will get one nearer ourselves. We will ask the saint to ask Mary to ask Jesus to ask the Father. It is all essentially pagan, treating God as a tyrant, fickle and to be appeased, when God's great, loving, gentle, gracious heart is waiting to be gracious. Jesus says, "Come unto Me,"—into His actual presence. He demands not that we pass a cordon of body-guards or ecclesiastical police. Come to Jesus, just as you are. His love and sympathy for every soul are greater than that of Mary and all the saints.