OWN UP | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 31, 1881

OWN UP.

THE best answer the church can render to modern infidelity is to confess its sins and forsake them. The worst type of infidelity with which Christianity has to contend is found in the church, in its wide departure from the spirit, lessons, examples and simple commandments of its founder; in the insincerity, indifference, worldly-mindedness, vapory show, and unchristian conduct, of those who profess to be its representatives and defenders. "The fruit of the spirit in all goodness, righteousness and truth" is looked for, but is not found. Instead, much parade and pretension are conspicuous in formal and showy services, sectarian ambition and strifes. Infidels see, judge, and oppose Christianity, not on its merit, but from what they see and know of the conduct and character of its professors. Serious, thoughtful people see and hesitate where there is such a wide discrepancy between profession and practice. Let the true principles, the intention, object, spirit, and power, of Christianity be made distinctly manifest in the daily conduct and conversation of all professing it. No better answer need be rendered to refute and remove modern infidelity. Let all liberal minded men and women try it and see.

— New Covenant.