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The New and the Old

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Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Apr 21, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 15.

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The New and the Old

By B. M. Grandy

A Contrast

TO even the casual thinker along religious lines, it is strikingly apparent that the fundamental beliefs among the various church-members have altered greatly within the last few decades.
If not deceived, he is at least puzzled as he beholds the great combinations of wealth, worldliness, and profession, as prominent elements in the modern religious movements.
It is declared that in the twentieth century religion, the shackles of superstition have been shaken off, and the supernatural in creation has been rejected. This is called a transition to a higher and modern conception of man’s relation to God. It embraces another gospel, “a broader plan,” by which man, by the exercise of latent powers, can attain to the perfection of God as exemplified in the life and teaching of Christ.
The sophistries of modern dreamers, and platitudes of ancient philosophers, are clothed in the pleasing language of the “peace and safety” crier. The latest novel or spicy drama, art, poetry, and travel, and all the forms of exciting pleasure, have a prominent place in the “new” religion. The Bible, God’s eternal word, “which liveth and abideth forever,” “which effectually worketh also in you that believe,” is relegated to a secondary place. The injunction found in 2 Tim. 4:2, “Preach the Word,” is unheeded.
The call to “repent and be converted”; the ringing injunction of the Master, “Ye must be born again”; the change of heart that God’s power alone can effect — there is no place found for these.
This is not the religion of the prophets, Christ, and the early apostles, not the religion of Wyclif, Luther, and Wesley. No, sadly no, but only a poor substitute for true Christian religion. Calling itself Christian, it is but a travesty on the religion whose name it bears.
The time is come, and the solemn message is going, that calls attention to the fall of spiritual Babylon. Conditions serve to emphasize the cry as it resounds throughout the world.
The honest in heart, many of whom, for a time, may be deceived by the glitter and popularity of this modern religion, will respond to the cry, “Come out of her, My people.” There is a yearning to-day for the untrammeled truths of the Word.
Faith — simple, trusting faith — is still powerful; and to behold the marvelous working out of God’s way, and to experience the sweetness of His saving power, is the privilege of all who so choose.
The “out of Babylon” experience brings us to that other experience of keeping the “commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” This fits a people for meeting the coming Saviour.
Truly, as the ringing of the sounding brass, so are the deceptive doctrines of these last days, when compared with the tried assurances of the “sure word of prophecy.”
And in response to the Lord’s question, “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8) there comes the assuring answer, “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12.
B. M. GRANDY.