GIVEN TO PLEASURE by B. F. Richards, M.D.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Feb 7, 1906

GIVEN TO PLEASURE.

By B. F. Richards, M.D.

AS THE observer of current events takes note of conditions in our metropolitan cities, he beholds new playhouses just completed, others being built, even store buildings converted into places of amusement; and he sees the people flocking to them, often with even standing room at a premium. But the large and costly churches have many empty seats. So the increase of pleasure-seeking and the decrease of reverence for God are two noticeable features among the people of to-day. Now the Lord says that this condition will be characteristic of the time of the end. "This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, . . . lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God." 2 Tim. 3:2-5. Now bear in mind the people referred to are church-members, "having a form of godliness," and should have greater love for God than for pleasure. We would expect them to be reverent and ready to acknowledge God's power as manifested in His universe and in the salvation of sinful men, but we are told that in the last days they will be "denying the power."

Consequently, if these be the last days, we may look for a teaching to be spreading among church-members, as well as in the world, which shall question whether, after all, the worlds and man are really God's handiwork, and whether there is any need of the saving power of His Gospel. How does evolution fulfil the specifications of the prophecy, having for its fundamental principle the theory that both the world and man were developed by the agency of natural laws, unaided by God? And was there ever a greater denial of the necessity for the Gospel's power to save than is being made all over the "Christian" world by the "New Thought" doctrine, which declares man has only to will strongly enough in order to accomplish anything he chooses?

God's messages always correct errors prevalent at the time they are to be given. Then we would expect the message for the last days to be one emphasizing the creatorship of the Lord. In the first part of the final message to the world we read (Rev. 14:7): "and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." And this message is being made prominent to-day by those who realize the importance of keeping "the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus," together with the fact that "the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." B. F. RICHARDS, M.D.