Few Left by Editor

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Dec 12, 1878

Few Left.

By Editor

F. DAVIS, in the Baptist Banner, asks questions on the following points :—

“When the following classes are taken out of our churches how many will be left? “All who will not pay their just debts. “All who are hypocritical. “All who are deceitful, and talk about others behind their backs. “All who go in debt without any prospect of paying out. “All who are proud and scornful, holding themselves above their fellow-men, and shunning those less fortunate than themselves. “All who worship money more than they do their Creator. “All who are tattlers. “All who sell intoxicating liquors to make money. “All who think more of a wicked rich man than they do of a pious poor man. “All who oppress the poor. “All who are vain and self-conceited. “All who make long prayers for the sake of being seen and heard of men. “When these and a good many others that could be mentioned, are taken out of some bodies that call themselves churches, there would probably be but few members left.”

This may be as just as it is pointed. But if we had said the same thing, and made an application of 2 Tim. 3:1-5, we fear it would be looked upon as a want of charity among Adventists. So strong is prejudice.

It is good for us to have sometimes troubles and adversities; for they make a man enter into himself, that he may know that he is in a state of banishment, and may not place his hopes in anything of this world. These things are often helps to humility, and defend us from vain glory.