APOSTASY ACCOMPANIES POPULARITY
This fatal popularity has come because the church is not treading faithfully in the footsteps of her Lord. It is because the standard of the church has been lowered to meet the standard of the world. These days of favor are days of peril for the church. Such also is the testimony of history. The early church was mercilessly persecuted—yet it thrived despite all this. The blood of those ancient martyrs watered the seeds of truth, and there was a glorious harvest. Though hated and despised and rejected of all men, the cause of Christ was exalted, and they received this testimony of approval: "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich). . . . Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: . . . be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Rev. 2: 9, 10. But a change came. The bitter persecutions ceased. The unpopular cause grew in favor with the world. And with what result?—Christians were no longer looked upon with contempt. Baptized pagans were received into the church unconverted, there to remain. The purity of the primitive church was stained with apostasy. The standard of godliness trailed in the dust. Persecution served to purify, but unrighteousness made its inroads when nominal Christianity became popular.