A Peculiar People by C. M. Willis

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 8, 1865

A Peculiar People.

By C. M. Willis

GOD has declared in his word, that he would have a people—a people that will be a peculiar blessing to himself, to preserve his name and laws from oblivion, and prevent the nations of earth from sinking into heathen darkness. And his promises are rich in blessings to such as keep his laws inviolable. For this purpose he has left a chart, that all who wish, may consult, and thus be enabled to steer clear of the shoals and quicksands that beset the voyager on the sea of life. This chart points out the only sure and safe channel that leads to the haven of rest.

One class of directions require those who consult its infallible rules for safety, "not to be conformed to this world," nor the "fashions of the world." I believe this to be one of the most dangerous chain of rocks to be found in the voyage, one that has wrecked the greatest number of souls. They are rendered still more dangerous by the innocent deception of their appearance, while the line that divides them from the right channel is invisible, except to the most vigorous scrutiny. No sooner has one entered their enchanted realm, than he begins to lose his sense of danger, and while he is amusing himself with the glittering baubles which surround him, his chart is neglected, he listens more attentively to the voice of the siren, sails complaisantly along with the tide, and is shipwrecked.

When God led out the children of Israel, he told them, "Now therefore if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then shall ye be a peculiar treasure to me, above all people; for all the earth is mine." The blessings that were showered upon them without measure, while they obeyed the judgments that overtook them when disobedient, their final casting off, and the acceptance of the Gentiles, are facts too well known to the Bible reader, to need repeating here. But this fact is apparent: They, as God's chosen people, were typical of his church in all ages; and as they through disobedience were cast off, so will it happen to all people, nations, or churches, who imitate their example. We find on examination, that they

were mostly led astray by mingling with those who knew not God, neither obeyed his statutes, and by conforming to their manners and customs.

Years ago when the preaching of the word was attended by the Spirit of God, when there was power enough in two or three sermons, to lead to the conversion of a score of sinners, the observation was often made, that one could tell professors as far as they could see them by their dress. Then we had peace at home and abroad. The farmer sowed his seed without fear of chinch bug, caterpillar, or weevil, and the land yielded her increase without drouth or failure. The people improved the time between morning duties and church service, in reading, meditation and prayer, consequently were in a proper frame for the solemnities due to the house and worship of God. Their dress and manner of living were both simple and plain; therefore their morning duties were few and easily performed, and their minds in a fit frame for the service of God. No lingering by the way, further than to exchange the neighborly greeting, when the amen was said, but with their families they hastened to their own firesides, to close the day with such devotional services as they thought most profitable. Their crops, the weather, or their neighborhood affairs were considered as week-day themes, not so much as to be introduced on their worship-day. While they continued in this humble condition, they were made the recipients of Heaven's choicest spiritual blessings. True, while they held aloof from the world, they were scorned and persecuted; but this only made their godly profession shine forth all the brighter.

But like backsliding Israel the church did not retain her integrity. The allurements of earth appeared so innocent and attractive, while the dress of the worldling looked so lovely beside the homely, plain garb of the Christian, there surely could be no harm in improving their outward appearance a little, or in adding a few adorings to their persons. The addition of one useless article of apparel called for another, one ornament but made room for more. A collar looked plain without a dress-pin, a pin looked lonely without ear-rings, these in turn called for finger-rings, ribbons, laces, flounces, artificials, and all the useless paraphernalia that help make up the dress of a fashionable lady. Nor were the other sex willing to be left in the background. And the precious hours that used to be passed in fitting the mind for the solemn duties of the day, must be spent in adorning the body to please the eye. The additional expense of the wardrobe, called for an extra sum of money, and to obtain this, extra labors were required; while these desires opened the door for driving close bargains, cheating the poor, and all other kindred evils attendant on worldly lusts, and love of wealth.

Thus have those who once formed the true church of God retrograded step by step, conforming more and more to the world, until you can hardly tell a professed child of God, unless you hear him speak in the public congregation. "For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts, is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant," says Isaiah, after describing the care of the Lord for his vineyard, which in return brought forth only wild grapes. "And he looked for judgment, but behold oppression, for righteousness, but behold a cry. Wo unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth. Wo unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them. And the harp and the viol, and the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts. But they regard not the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands." What class of people are here described as having gone so far astray, as not to regard the Lord? The prophet answers, that it is those that have cast away the law of the Lord, and despised the Holy One of Israel. As the world does not profess to be guided by the law of God, we must necessarily look for this class of people in the churches. And can this be true of those who profess to be the followers of Him who had not where to lay his head? Take your seat in the pew of any of the popular churches on Sunday morning, and there receive your answer. How are you going to tell the members from the rest? Not by their dress certainly. The church member is as gaily dressed as the most devoted votary of fashion. I know of no way, only to consult the class book; whether it agrees with the record of the book of life, God only knows! This I do know however, that Paul speaks of some who "measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ." This clearly explains the whole matter. It is a self work, the salvation by faith in Christ is no part of their transformation; hence they fail to bear the fruits of meekness, gentleness, love, &c., and this shows too, why the world occupies so large a share of their thoughts.

And the poor thoughtless youth see this love of display, and they are dazzled by its attractions, and at once conclude if it is not wrong in a Christian, it can be no harm for them; and a desire of emulation is awakened, a desire to imitate or excel those whose dress is gayer than their own. And if worldly circumstances will not permit them to gratify this foolish ambition, many will barter virtue, honor, self-respect, yes, even their eternal all, to obtain it. The degraded position which many of the female sex occupy, may in numberless instances be traced to an inordinate love of dress; and perchance, the very person who first awoke this vain desire was a church member! What an influence to have to meet at the bar of God! How will they answer the charge of conforming to the changing, useless fashions of earth, and spending the precious talent given by their master to be occupied in his service, in adorning their outward persons in foolish nonsensical fineries, for no other purpose than to excite the admiration or envy of the vain, or the baser passions of the lewd, and thus leading a fellow-being to forsake a path of rectitude and virtue, for one of dishonor and shame, whose end is speedy destruction?

Nearly every sin except those repugnant to every moral mind, finds apologists among church members. What kind of an influence would Christ and his apostles have exercised, had they been found mixing with all promiscuous assemblies, frequenting groceries and bar-rooms, listening to the profanity of the profane, or laughing at the foolish gibberish of the drunken, without a word of rebuke, or a mention of the holy doctrine which they came to promulgate? Would it not sound strange for a preacher to arise in the sacred desk, and turning to the Acts of the Apostles, read, for the profit and encouragement of his audience, that they had a political meeting at Rome, and that Paul took the stand and spoke two hours, to a highly interested audience, calling his opponents all sorts of evil names? or that Peter won a heavy purse at a horse race at Athens? or that James and John had laid in a large supply of tea, tobacco, and whiskey, to last till the fishing season was over? And yet if the history of the every-day lives of some of the loudest professors of to-day were written out, how very different from the above do you suppose it would be? And these are the common examples of pious parents before their children. No wonder they grow up with little or no respect for the Bible, or its teachings. No wonder Isaiah, while scanning with a prophetic eye, earth's future pages, should cry out in bitterness, even while he heard the saying, "From the uttermost parts of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous,"—"My leanness, my leanness! woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously;" and then go on to predict that "fear and the pit, and the snare are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth."

When we meditate on all the promises of God, to those whom he has chosen, we are sensibly impressed with his goodness. And when we compare the present position of the churches, with the requirements of his word, we can but tremble at the mighty judgments which we see ready to burst on a guilty world. If the church has ceased to be a peculiar treasure to the Lord, then has the cry been uttered, "Come out of her my people." Who is willing to do this? Who is willing to cast off all useless adorings, to separate themselves from earthly pleasures, "to stand still in the way, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, that they may find rest to their souls?" It is the old paths they are to inquire after, the paths which Christ and the apostles trod. "They have healed the hurt of my daughter slightly," says the prophet, "Were they ashamed when they had committed abominations? Nay, they were not at all ashamed neither could they blush."

Dear fellow travelers, this is no idle tale. Other churches have fallen through a blind conformity to this world. The sad effects are too plainly visible to be denied. We profess to have answered the call to come out of Babylon. Is there none of her filth still clinging to our garments? none of her iniquities which we have brought with us, and which we are fostering in our hearts? none of her pride, love of dress, popularity, worldly lusts? Let each carefully examine, lest our Saviour be constrained to look further ere he chooses a people from this untoward generation, to be a peculiar people unto himself, and when we knock for admittance at the gate of the celestial city, he from within shall say, "Depart I never knew you."

C. M. WILLIS.

Charlotte, Mich.