skillfully omitted, they become only the hypocrisy that covers and
garnishes a lie.

Again, many are deluded by the emphasis upon the mere outward forms of
the visible Church. When these forms are analyzed, they appear to
represent a church ministered to by a recognized ordained minister who
depends upon his own personality for his power; and who preaches ethics
and morality drawn from Scripture texts and other ethical writings.
Prayers are offered, imploring the Almighty to aid humanity in its
attempts to commend itself to Him by a more or less faithful practice of
religion. The pleasures of music as an art are provided at fabulous
cost, in place of the praise that is inspired by the Spirit of God.
Social gatherings are held, to take the place of the unity of the Spirit
and the love of the brethren. Humanitarian appeals for the betterment of
the world are made, in place of the evangelical regeneration by the
Cross; and not one reference to the real Gospel is made from one year to
the next, unless it be in a covered denial. The sleeping congregations
are seemingly satisfied with a mockery of the truth, and are content
with a doctrine that proposes to educate souls into hell, and which
encourages them to make a few efforts toward self-development while on
their certain road to perdition. It is no longer good form in society to
be without some church relations, yet the one and only true basis for
salvation may never have been comprehended or accepted by a multitude of
these members. Truly the god of this world is accomplishing his end, and
his blinded followers are coming to be numbered with the faithful. The
evil birds are flocking to the mustard tree, and the corrupting leaven
is permeating the measures of meal.

The last development of the earth history of the visible Church is
predicted to be a condition in which the Church is saying, "I am rich,
and increased in goods, and have need of nothing." The passage
continues, "and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and
poor, and blind, and naked. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in
the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest
be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and
anoint thy eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love,
I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand
at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I
will come in to him, a