p. 21 | FLEE FROM IDOLATRY by M. E. Cornell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 17, 1861

“FLEE FROM IDOLATRY.”

By M. E. Cornell

DURING the lukewarm state of the remnant, when their love has waxed cold, they have been in a right condition to be captivated with the numerous idols of the last days. Probably but few are entirely free from every species of idolatry. Any person that will take the trouble to compare Isa. i, and ii, with Rev. xviii, will see that when the great day of the Lord is introduced, “the land is full of idols,” and “they please themselves,” and “lust after the abundance of her (Babylon’s) delicacies.”

Idolatry does not alone consist in literally bowing down to an image, but Webster says an idol is “anything upon which we set our affections inordinately,” and, idolatry is “excessive attachment or veneration for an object.” An idolater is “a great admirer” (of the creature). If we cultivate an attachment for any object, animate or inanimate, above, or equal to, our love to God, we are idolaters. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (or in my sight), is the first commandment.

When the ten tribes were in captivity, their idolatry consisted in having several objects of adoration. “They feared the Lord, and served their own gods.” 2 Kings xvii, 33.

Some make a god of their appetite. Phil. iii, 19. “Covetousness is idolatry.” Col. iii, 5. A longing desire for any article of food or dress which is either useless or hurtful, is, therefore, idolatry. If we love or admire any thing above God, or esteem any thing so dear that we could not freely give it up for his sake, we have certainly set up another god before the only true object of our supreme affections.

How is it, dear brethren and sisters, about tobacco, tea, coffee, hoops, jewelry, &c., &c.? Are you willing to give up these idols, and give your time and whole heart’s adoration to the one living and true God? He will accept of nothing but the whole heart; we can not come to God with divided affections.

But I hear a brother say, I am not willing to give up tobacco. What, not for God’s sake, for the truth’s sake, nor yet for the regard you have for your brethren and sisters? Paul would give up an essential article of food, and eat no more as long as he lived, for charity’s sake. 1 Cor. viii, 13.

When we press the testimony in regard to the tobacco idol, the lover of tobacco asks to be let alone, and complains that we have not charity. But charity does not require that we let a man alone in his sins, but that we faithfully warn him. Enough has been said on the tobacco question, it would seem, to satisfy all except the most stubborn that tobacco should be given up. We entreat you then most affectionately and earnestly to give it up at once for your soul’s sake. Let also the ear-rings, finger-rings, and hoops, be put away at once and forever from the ranks of God’s people. There is no excuse. The Scriptures are too plain to be misunderstood. We must live up to our discipline, the Bible. Those who will not abide by the wholesome rules of that book, ought not to desire or to expect a place among the Seventh-day Adventists.

There is another species of idolatry that is very general at the present day, namely, the inordinate love of children. Many worship their children. By making pets of their offspring, they destroy them and ruin their own souls. But some fond parent will say, Does Bro. Cornell want us to hate our children? No, my dear brother or sister, neither does the Lord want you to hate them; but many of you do by over indulgence hate your children. “For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” Prov. iii, 12. “He that spareth his rod hateeth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” Prov. xiii, 24.

The true principle is that genuine love should lead to faithfulness; not to excessively punish in anger, but to be decided and uniform, and correct with discretion. If a parent has such inordinate and unnatural love for the child that he or she cannot endure to faithfully correct and “train up the child,” the child has become dearer than the command of God; and such parents are in the fullest sense of the word, idolaters. When I see parents laugh at little foolish tricks and witty speeches of their children, and thus flatter their vanity, and nourish pride in their hearts, I think, O foolish parents, why will you thus destroy the dear ones entrusted to your care? If a child does that which is right, noble, and generous, and the parent in a sober manner praise the child for it, it might serve to encourage in the right way. But when their follies and little sins are winked at, seeds are being sown which may, and probably will, ruin them.

But there is still another species of idolatry prevalent at this time, which is the worst of all. It is that of self-worship. If by looking in the glass they find this god is a little fairer than some other one, they begin to admire, and admire, until they are perfectly captivated with adorable self. Then how soon they will (after the manner of heathens and barbarians) begin to decorate the object of their worship. This god is very jealous of rivals in dress, and so to appease his anger, or to please him, they watch with all diligence for new fashions, that they may replenish him “from the east.”

How often do we see mothers teaching this worship to their children. They will dress up the little ones like poppets, and then praise them to their face until they are perfectly inflated with pride. O parents, beware how you train your children, lest you be found fitting them up for the plagues. If we would “flee from idolatry,” let us shun the very appearance of it, exercising all diligence to avoid it in all things. “Little children, KEEP YOURSELVES FROM IDOLS.” 1 John v, 21.

M. E. CORNELL.