LOVERS OF PLEASURE by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 19, 1857

LOVERS OF PLEASURE.

By James White

SOME consider it harsh to make an application of Paul's words to Timothy [2 Tim. iii, 1-5] to the mass of professors of the present day, who have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. But they will sometimes illustrate their position to us in a manner so striking that all can see and must acknowledge its force. One characteristic, as given by the Apostle is, that they shall be "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God." Is not this fulfilled by church members mingling with the world, and showing so much pride and worldly-mindedness? But the most striking instance is the following:

The weekly prayer-meeting of a certain church in this State, this Winter, happened to come on New Year's evening. At the next meeting previous, the pastor of the church called attention to the fact, and said that as this was an evening commonly devoted to pleasure, the prayer-meeting would be omitted that week! Can a church grow in grace under such an influence? Yet this is the condition of the mass: the donation parties of the churches are nothing but carnal pleasures, and both priests and people forsake God to follow their own way, and the customs of those that know not God. What is the duty of God's people in view of these things? Says Paul, "from such turn away."

J. H. W.