MORE FACTS by M. E. Cornell

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 3, 1859

MORE FACTS.

By M. E. Cornell

CHURCHES FALLEN.

We rejoice in the acknowledgement of truth from whatever source, and especially when it is from one of talent and influence. I see by the papers that men in the editorial chair in different quarters are getting their eyes partially open, and are speaking out on the signs of the times. From the editorial of the Cincinnati Daily Gazette, of Jan. 1st, 1859, I clip the following important testimony:

"The internal aspects of christianity are all-important, and never more so than in our time and in our nation. Its enemies are numerous, and the forms of their attack innumerable. The danger of these attacks lies not a little in that we mistake their nature. We overlook the fact that the danger lies not in any positive strength of the enemy, but in the weakness of our own position—the want of vitality. . . . If christianity produces fruit pure, lovely, and of good report, it will be imbedded too deep in the hearts of the people ever to be moved, by any vain theories of sceptical philosophy. What then, is the internal aspect of christianity now? What is the battle before it? Speaking of this time, or at least of one, which had the characteristics of this time, Paul writes to Timothy: 'This, know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come: for men shall be lovers of their own selves—covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy—having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.'

"There is much within the professed church for which this seems a striking portrait, and it indicates most clearly the real nature of the contest in which christianity is now engaged. . . . It is in the bosom of christianity her battle lies. Is it not so with the individual, and must it not be so with the society? Who has not felt that the battle of life was within himself? Look, then, at the picture drawn by St. Paul. Are there not thousands in the church who are lovers of their own selves, as contra-distinguished from that love of good toward man, which is a leading characteristic of christianity? are there not 'covetous?' are there not 'lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God?' are there not those in the church who have the form of godliness, but denying the power thereof? Look at the signs of the times. Was it not in the church that German rationalism arose? Does not Theodore Parker preach from the pulpit? Did not Dr. Bellows comment the theatre from the pulpit? Is not the Sabbath treated in the pulpit as a sort of pleasure day?"

In the same paper the editor refers to Dr. Wayland's position as follows:

"EXPENSIVE CHURCHES. Dr. Wayland is opposed to the erection of expensive churches, and the employment of ministers at high salaries, because in this way the masses of the people are excluded from the church, and turned over to the Devil. He says that 'if we keep on in our present course, building expensive churches, and keeping up our expensive worship, our population will all be heathen' eventually. Rich christians will gratify their pride, however, at whatever sacrifice to the religious interests of others."

M. E. CORNELL.