ROMANIZED by L. A. Phippeny

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Jun 27, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 26.

ROMANIZED.

By L. A. Phippeny

IN its issue of May 2, the Advent Christian Messenger, commenting, under the above head, upon a sentiment appearing in the public press to set aside Good Friday as a legal holiday, with possibly such legal restrictions as apply to Sunday, says:—

Are we becoming Romanized? It would seem so from the way we are following in Rome's steps in forms and ceremonies. Many of Rome's festivals, festal days, and observances were borrowed from pagan idolaters, such as Christmas, Easter, etc. These are now celebrated by Protestants with as much enthusiasm as by the Romanists.

We have heard of an old saying that “with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged.” And the words follow, “Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” Then the admonition is, to such be-

holders, “First cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.” Good as the comment of the Messenger is, yet it is by no means complete, because the Messenger is not seeing clearly. There is a beam in its eye, and the words used to condemn Protestants for following in Rome's steps, condemn itself.

It is the absolute truth that “many of Rome's festivals, festal days, and observances were borrowed from pagan idolaters, such as Christmas, Easter, etc.,” and “are now celebrated by Protestants with as much enthusiasm as by the Romanists.” The Messenger did not name all of these things borrowed from paganism and adopted by Protestants, presumably for lack of time and space to enumerate them. All the rest come under “etc.” But in that Latin abbreviation is the beam that obscures its vision, and shuts out the plain testimony against the whole of the evil.

The most common of all the festivals and holidays borrowed from old paganism by Rome, and “now celebrated by Protestants with as much enthusiasm as by the Romanists,” should certainly be mentioned, and that is Sunday. And in observing this day the Messenger, and the denomination it represents, are assuredly following in the steps of Rome, and have, to that extent, become Romanized. Come out, friends, and be separate. Take your stand under the banner of Jehovah, and honor His holy Sabbath. Then will you see with a clearness not experienced before; and to a message of the soon-coming Saviour in the clouds of heaven you may add with power the proclamation to “fear God, and keep His commandments.” And this is “the faith of Jesus.” L. A. PHIPPENY.