The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 387
every day,’ no doubt many will applaud thy elegance of taste, thy
generosity and hospitality. But do not buy their applause so dear. Rather
be content with the honor that cometh from God.”—Wesley, Works,
Sermon 50, “The Use of Money.” But in many churches of our time
such teaching is disregarded.
A profession of religion has become popular with the world. Rulers,
politicians, lawyers, doctors, merchants, join the church as a means
of securing the respect and confidence of society, and advancing their
own worldly interests. Thus they seek to cover all their unrighteous
transactions under a profession of Christianity. The various religious
bodies, re-enforced by the wealth and influence of these baptized
worldlings, make a still higher bid for popularity and patronage.
Splendid churches, embellished in the most extravagant manner, are
erected on popular avenues. The worshipers array themselves in costly
and fashionable attire. A high salary is paid for a talented minister to
entertain and attract the people. His sermons must not touch popular
sins, but be made smooth and pleasing for fashionable ears. Thus
fashionable sinners are enrolled on the church records, and fashionable
sins are concealed under a pretense of godliness.
Commenting on the present attitude of professed Christians toward
the world, a leading secular journal says: “Insensibly the church has
yielded to the spirit of the age, and adapted its forms of worship to
modern wants.” “All things, indeed, that help to make religion attractive,
the church now employs as its instruments.” And a writer in the New
York Independent speaks thus concerning Methodism as it is: “The line
of separation between the godly and the irreligious fades out into a kind
of penumbra, and zealous men on both sides are toiling to obliterate
all difference between their modes of action and enjoyment.” “The
popularity of religion tends vastly to increase the number of those who
would secure its benefits without squarely meeting its duties.”
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