The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 44

compromise. Others were in favor of yielding or modifying some
features of their faith and uniting with those who had accepted a part of
Christianity, urging that this might be the means of their full conversion.
That was a time of deep anguish to the faithful followers of Christ. Under
a cloak of pretended Christianity, Satan was insinuating himself into the
church, to corrupt their faith and turn their minds from the word of truth.
Most of the Christians at last consented to lower their standard,
and a union was formed between Christianity and paganism. Although
the worshipers of idols professed to be converted, and united with the
church, they still clung to their idolatry, only changing the objects of
their worship to images of Jesus, and even of Mary and the saints. The
foul leaven of idolatry, thus brought into the church, continued its baleful
work. Unsound doctrines, superstitious rites, and idolatrous ceremonies
were incorporated into her faith and worship. As the followers of Christ
united with idolaters, the Christian religion became corrupted, and the
church lost her purity and power. There were some, however, who were
not misled by these delusions. They still maintained their fidelity to the
Author of truth and worshiped God alone.
There have ever been two classes among those who profess to
be followers of Christ. While one class study the Saviour’s life and
earnestly seek to correct their defects and conform to the Pattern, the
other class shun the plain, practical truths which expose their errors.
Even in her best estate the church was not composed wholly of the true,
pure, and sincere. Our Saviour taught that those who willfully indulge in
sin are not to be received into the church; yet He connected with Himself
men who were faulty in character, and granted them the benefits of His
teachings and example, that they might have an opportunity to see their
errors and correct them. Among the twelve apostles was a traitor. Judas
was accepted, not

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