THE CHURCH OF TO-DAY by E. Lanphear

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, December 2, 1884

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 61, No. 48

THE CHURCH OF TO-DAY.

By E. Lanphear

BY E. LANPHEAR.

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”

Was there ever a time when this text was more perfectly verified by the professed people of God? It would seem that there never was a time when the professed evangelical churches of our land were spending more money and sending more missionaries forth in the world to convert the heathen, than now; and while they thus manifest such a wonderful form of godliness, the men of our own land, in the church and out of it, seem to be “waxing worse and worse.” Is there not a significance in this, and a pointing to the fulfillment of prophecy?

The elements of Church and State, linked with the world and the fashions thereof, are seemingly combining with a view to overthrow the law of God and the teachings of his Son, Jesus Christ, and while this is going on it is led by professed followers of Christ, who put on a form of godliness, and claim to take his word for their guide. And here I raise a query as to whether there is not as much demagogism among the ministers and laymen of the churches as there is in our politics and the world? In fact, do not the ministers of the present day put on as much show and style by dress, fine horses and carriages, fine houses, and demanding fine churches and large salaries, making as big show at watering-places, as do brokers, gamblers, presidents and cashiers of banks and incorporate institutions, that defalcate and rob honest people of their honest dues and earnings, especially in our large cities and towns? These ministers can be seen walking our streets arm in arm with these gamblers and fraudulent bankers; and so long as these godless men are benevolent in keeping up fine

churches, paying a large salary to the minister, and contributing to the missionary fund, they are half fellows well met. These men’s fine castles are the constant resort of the minister, while the flock is constantly neglected for want of time by the pastor to visit them. The minister’s sermons are prepared more to please the ear, cover up sin, and to draw a large congregation of the fashionable, than to convince sinners of sin, and by penalties and blessings set forth in the word of God to bring men to repentance and the saving of souls. Money, money, seems to rule the church, and the man that pays the largest amount, gets the most amens from the preacher; while the poor, honest fisherman in poor clothing is seated behind the door or in some corner, and gets only a nod of the head, if noticed at all by the minister and his peers.

Not long since I heard one of these church demagogues, on getting up in church, say, “Money has always ruled the church, and always will; and why shouldn’t it?” and the same man said that “a man that did not pay much, should not say much.” Did ever such Phariseeism exist since the time of Christ and the apostles? Did Christ call such men to spread his gospel, and to redeem the world to himself? Was not his gospel a free gospel to all who would come unto him, without money and without price? and did he not regard the widow’s mite more than that coming from those that contributed from their abundance?

Where is the appearance of humility and repentance in the church to-day? Humility seems to come to the surface more when presidents, cashiers, and treasurers belonging to the churches cannot cover up their dishonesty and defalcations any longer, and resort to suicides or escape to some other country to get away from their shame. The many defalcations in our State (New Jersey) and the surrounding country is evidencing this shame every day. These defalcators are largely church-going people, holding positions in churches and Sunday-schools, having “the form of godliness,” a controlling power over church and pastor, while the power of Christ’s religion is entirely wanting. The defalcations committed in the national bank of New Brunswick, N. J., a short time since, and the suicides of the president and cashier, and two or three others interested in the bank, develop largely the representative characters of church-members at the present day. Comment is not necessary. And yet professed Christians apologize for these very men, because of their former liberality in the church; though they might have stolen the money from some honest Christian that they might keep themselves popular in the church, and before the public. Can the world be redeemed from sin under such administration of affairs by the professed church in the world? Is it not time, and now the set time, for the children of God to “come out and be separate”? Is there any safety in tarrying? “From such,” saith Paul, “turn away.” “Can ye not discern the signs of the times?”

Plainfield, N. J.