Your ShelfYour Projects

Editorial

25%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Aug 29, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 35.

Read the full edition

Editorial

By Editor

The Chief Danger From Within

THE church of God has been threatened through the centuries by dangers from without and from within. By open assault, by persecution, by famine and sword, the enemy has sought to overthrow the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. But from these dangers Christianity has always emerged triumphant. For the most part, persecution and open warfare have served to purify the church of God, and to drive its members to the side of their Master for sympathy and support; but the dangers that have arisen from within the church have been more fatal to its holy interests. Apostasy in all ages has wrought its terrible havoc. Worldliness and indifference have destroyed the first love, and alienated the hearts of the believers. Coldness and criticism and unkindness have accomplished their desolating work.
These foes from within are the ones which the church of God has to fight today. Heathenism largely has spent its force, and is decadent. Skepticism no longer carries forward its work with its old-time boldness and effrontery, but by subtle means, insidious and compromising. Subtle and disguised skepticism, the commercial spirit of the age, the mania for worldly sports and diversions, the influence of evil literature,—these and many allied forces are seeking to undermine the power of Christianity in many lives, and to bring demoralization to Christian effort. Against these insidious foes and influences seeking admission to our own lives, we need particularly to be on our guard.