The Gospel Day Part 31

That the earth was created in six days.

That Methuselah died at the age of 969 years.

That a whale swallowed Jonah, in whose belly he lay three days.

That the Red Sea was divided in order to permit the pa.s.sage of the children of Israel out of Egypt.

That a snake tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden.

That Joshua commanded the sun to stand still, and that it obeyed him.

The tower of Babel narrative.

The turning of Lot's wife into a pillar of salt.

The story of Noah, the flood, and the ark.

That G.o.d spoke to Moses out of a burning bush.

That Aaron turned his rod into a serpent.

That Moses tapped a rock, and that water gushed forth.

That Moses drew forth his hand and that it was "leprous, white as snow."

That Elijah was translated to heaven in a chariot of fire.

That Elisha threw the mantle of Elijah across the Jordan, causing it to dry up and allow him pa.s.sage.

That the earth opened and swallowed Achan and his companions.

That Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked in a fiery furnace unharmed.

That Daniel stayed unhurt in the lions' den.

Wm. S. Breakey, of New York, in a letter to the editor of the _Revivalist_ spoke concerning the above meeting and Methodism as follows: "I enclose a clipping from the _New York Herald_ of recent date. It needs no comment, and explains the lack of spiritual power in the M. E. church of to-day.

The att.i.tude of the listening ministers and bishop, and their approval (of a majority at least) of the sentiments expressed by the speaker and indicated by the applause shows the extent to which this so-called liberal element has permeated the M. E. church. This man is the leader of the so-called forward movement of the M. E. church in New York City, a movement consisting of short popular sermons, pleasant hours, Sunday evening concerts, lectures, united choir, and the innumerable fandangoes to entertain the people and keep the church crowded.

This is the Methodism of to-day in a leading metropolis of the country. It makes my soul-and, I believe, the soul of every one jealous for the glory of G.o.d and the honor of the Holy Spirit and the eternal welfare of human souls being led into the ditch of eternal night by these blind, reason-exalting leaders-cry out, 'How long, O Lord, how long,' must the followers of the life of Jesus Christ endure these things and by their silence be charged (by implication) with endorsing the present condition of things and methods of church work?"

We are often told by those who know no better, that this world is becoming more Christianized. The Bible says, "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." 2 Tim. 3:13. People are more advanced in invention and education than in former years, we frankly admit. There are not the inhuman wars and barbarous ma.s.sacres and b.l.o.o.d.y persecutions that once were, and by hasty external view of political governments and educational interest one may conclude that the world is growing better. But where matters are growing worse and things becoming more deceivable is to be found in "mystery Babylon the great" and her harlot daughters; namely, Catholicism and the Protestant sects. They are becoming more worldly and covetous, more proud and popularity-loving. They are denying much of the Bible, turning their meeting-houses into concert halls and opera-houses. In a village where we resided until recently the Methodist meeting-house was called by the community in general the Methodist theater.

The paper by Mr. Cadman as quoted above is a specimen of how they deny the Bible. They almost unanimously deny the unity of the Bible, divine healing, holiness and some of the ordinances. But in the decade to come you will see much more astonis.h.i.+ng things. The sectarian world is now just setting sail upon such a sea of revelry, banqueting, money getting, lewdness, and idolatry, as we have not seen before. Her awful sins will reach unto heaven, yea, for some years past have been crying out against her, but each year growing worse. Where is the aged man or woman but who remembers the day when Methodists had a plain, una.s.suming, consecrated ministry? The laity went plainly and modestly dressed. They had real Holy Ghost revivals, but those days are gone. To-day she is intoxicated with the spirit of worldliness. Every effort is being put forth, every nerve strained, the power and energy of intellect used to dazzle the world by oratory, and pompous show. O G.o.d, as we behold the awful sins of sectarianism we feel in our soul like Jeremiah when he wrote his Lamentation.

"Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, ... because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city." "How is the gold become dim! how is the fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street." "The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.

For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her, they have wandered as blind men in the streets, they have polluted themselves with blood, so that men could not touch their garments." "G.o.d will visit thine iniquity, he will discover thy sins."

The sins of Protestantism are sufficient cause to wring tears and prayers and fastings from every Christian heart. Who will not consecrate his time, talent, and means for the deliverance of G.o.d's beloved from their captivity?

The Prophecies Of Peter.

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in d.a.m.nable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their d.a.m.nation slumbereth not." 2 Pet.

2:1-3.

Here the inspired apostle foretells the coming of false teachers, who shall bring in d.a.m.nable heresies. Heresy is translated from the Greek word _hairesis_. The word "sect" is translated from the same Greek word. The word "d.a.m.nable" is from the Greek _apoleia_, and means destruction. So the rendering of Rotherham, "parties of destruction," and of the German, "destructive sects," corresponds with the original. Protestant teachers will readily tell you that these "false teachers" and "destructive sects"

refer to the heresies that sprang up in the first few centuries of this Christian era. We admit that sects and parties arose in those primitive days. We see something of this spirit in 1 Cor. 3:1-5.

But are sects d.a.m.nable in one age of the world and commendable in another?

We conclude that if partyism, sectarianism, schisms, divisions, and heresies were destructive and brought destruction upon their adherents in the first centuries, it will do likewise in the last centuries. Paul says, "I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions [schisms, margin]

among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." 1 Cor. 1:10.

Many shall follow in the pernicious ways of these heresies. Is not this true at this present time? By them the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. There is scarcely a sectarian in the universe but will speak evil of some portion of the truth. These false teachers shall with feigned words make merchandise of their followers, because of their covetousness. This is really more true of present day sectarian preachers than it was of the false teachers in the first centuries. Does not the ministry of the present day resort to the telling of amusing stories, and touching incidents, and fabulous tales to amuse and allure the people, and are they not making merchandise of them? Are they not receiving large salaries? And no matter how poor you may be you must pay your preacher or else you have no hearty welcome to members.h.i.+p. The preacher can sit in his easy chair with folded arms while you labor and strive for his support. He can spend his evenings in luxury and pleasure while you are tossing upon your bed thinking and planning how to clothe and feed your little ones and get money to pay your church dues; for you know full well if you do not pay you will be snubbed and rejected and finally cut off and made believe, if possible, that you are on your way to h.e.l.l.

The remainder of this chapter, beginning with the twelfth verse is a vivid description of the hireling ministry of these days. For the benefit of the reader we will quote and number each verse and give brief comment. 12.

"But these as natural brute beasts made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things they understand not, and shall utterly perish in their own corruption."

They are not governed by the Bible, but as "brute beasts" follow their covetous ways, speaking evil of the holy commandments of G.o.d, which they do not understand. They are the "blind leaders of the blind."

13. "And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the daytime. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you."

The excursions of sightseeing and pleasure, the picnics and parties they count great pleasure. Characters that engage in such revelry and worldliness are spots and blemishes to Christianity. We are commanded to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. "Sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you." They will teach their young members that it is no harm to go to the party, to attend the shows and fairs, the suppers and entertainments, to play cards for amus.e.m.e.nt, and many like things; and with their own deceivings they will feast with them in such sports.

14. "Having eyes full of adultery, and that can not cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practises; cursed children."

Their hearts are inclined to evil ways and filled with fleshly desires; loving the things of the world and often confessing, "We can not live in this world without committing sin." By their evil example and false teachings they are beguiling many unstable souls. Their covetous heart is scarcely ever satisfied.

The prophet Isaiah speaks of these prophets saying, "They are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they can not bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough."

Isa. 56:10, 11. This is a lazy, ease-loving greedy ministry. If they are getting $500.00 a year they will want $600.00. If they are receiving $1,000.00 they will want $1,200.00, and go wherever they can get the most.

"Cursed children."

15. "Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness."

These false teachers have known a better way. The Lord showed Balaam the right way, but he was seduced by the reward offered by Balak. So with these teachers; they once knew a more righteous way, but have turned aside for the wages of unrighteousness.

16. "But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb a.s.s speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet." As Balaam was rebuked by the dumb a.s.s, so these false teachers in their madness for worldly honor, gain and wisdom are rebuked by the humble ignorant Christians, whom they consider as dumb ignorant creatures.

17. "These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved forever."

Salvation is often spoken of as the "water of life." These false teachers are wells without water. Their preaching does not feed and water their flock. Their empty forms and stale essays contain no spiritual food. For this reason there is a famine throughout Babylon. "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord G.o.d, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord." Amos 8:11. From the pulpit we hear lectures, stories, and history, and not the pure gospel; this is the cause of this famine. "Clouds they are carried with a tempest." When there is some appearance of rain or water from these teachers, and you have hopes of hearing some of the Word of G.o.d, behold some false wind of doctrine for personal advantage carries away every sign of rain.

18. "For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the l.u.s.t of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error."

They preach in sublime style, and speak great words of vanity, almost incomprehensible to common people, and by touching incidents and sympathetic stories they allure, and those who were really converted are often led into error and formalism by these vain teachers.

19. "While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption."