DOS2 DOS3 THE DESOLATIONS OF THE SANCTUARY

A description of the Tests of Faith and struggle of God’s People for Truth, with special regard to the present time

—————-An earnest warning to all Bible students——————

By EMIL and OTTO SADLACK

Angerburg (East Prussia) Germany

—————Published by the Translators from the German—————

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Gal 5:1

First English Edition 1930.

DOS4 ARE YOU CONSECRATED TO THE LORD?

Then do not forget: That you owe your first love to Him.

That He alone is your teacher and master.

That His Word is to you above all else.

That you must hold fast and defend His Truth in love.

That your brother next to you, however great his capabilities may be, is your brother, and not your lord.

That a toleration of errors and abandonment of Truth is unfaithfulness to the Lord.

Therefore: Remain faithful to Him the only Lord and Head, and with all of God’s consecrated ones, fight with determination for the Truth and against error and enslavement of conscience..

DOS5 TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART ONE

* The conflict between light and darkness, between truth and error, from Paradise onward to the first advent of Christ.

* Continuation of the conflict, from the first advent of Christ to the present time (to Brother Russell’s appearance).

* The latest movement. Its richly blessed way. Its mission and its final fall.

PART TWO

* The omniscience of God.

* Satan in heaven.

* The outpouring of the Spirit of God upon all flesh.

* Elijah—Elisha.

* The entering into the joy of the Lord.

* The riding upon white horses— Re 19:11-21.

* "This gospel of the kingdom"—Mt 24:14.

* The vengeance upon Babylon.

* Character development.

* The treasure in an earthen vessel—2Co 4:7.

* The angel with the golden censer—Re 8:3.

* "1914"—"1918"—"1921"—"1925"—"Time is no more."

* The trial of the ancient worthies. Is it past or future?

* The parable of the sheep and the goats.

* The execution of the judgments written, according to Ps 149.

* "The Finished Mystery." Also: The "Millions" booklet and "Millions" message. The shortening of the tribulation. "Deliverance." "Bible students’ yearbook 1927."

* The parable of the wise and foolish virgins.

DOS6

* Further erroneous teachings of the Watch Tower Society: (The secret place of the Most High. The laying of the precious stone in Zion. The highway for mankind.

Christ’s second advent. The judgment of the church. Errors in the Bible? "Thy kingdom come." "The servant, " the "prison, " the "prisoners, " the "desolated heritages, " The angel flying in the midst of heaven. The golden girdles of the seven angels.).

* The work of the Lord.

* Organization.

PART THREE

* Retrospection. The appearance of the Protestants. Their protest. The consequences.

The repetition of the Christian church’s experiences in the end of the age. The "movements" of God’s "free" children.

* Closing thoughts. ("Our duty toward the truth.—What is costs; its value; its advantage.").

DOS7 FOREWORD TO THE GERMAN EDITION

"For we can do nothing against the Truth but for the Truth." 2Co 13:8.

Never, even for a moment, should the watchers on Zion’s lookout entertain the thought, that preparedness and watchfulness concerning spiritual things may be permitted to relax. Even during these times, when the Spirit of God in a special way flows through the circle of the faithful, revealing the secrets of the Divine Plan of the Ages, absolute sobriety and watchfulness are necessary. Has it not repeatedly happened that God’s children have deprived themselves of many blessings, merely because they did not watch sufficiently and in times of danger they did not avail themselves of their blessed privileges? They slept and were silent, whereas they should have watched and spoken, yea, should have cried aloud "in the City of Jerusalem." To be sure, it is easier for the flesh to look on inactively, while hostile powers force their way into God’s sanctuary to pollute it. Simpler, and far more agreeable is it, to be quiet, and let others fight against the desolations, thereby avoiding all slander, unkindness, hatred, etc.

But will the Lord say "Well done" if we show so much fear of and respect to men, and so little reverence for Him? Did He not entrust us with many riches over which we should watch with fear and trembling? Would we show our thankfulness to the giver of every good and perfect gift by being careless or indifferent? Today we have profound reverence for the heroes of Faith, the courageous protestants of the past, for their faithfulness to the Lord and to His Truth, so far as it was revealed then, but we are prone to forget—too, what a wall of enemies they had to oppose in their day, and what a barrage of insults and persecutions they had to ear. We say, "Yes, it was a grand time, " but, perhaps e let the "grand time" often go by us, without taking advantage of it and proving our own faithfulness.

We firmly believe that we are again living in such a "grand time, " and we very clearly see that a renewed desolation of the sanctuary of God is taking place. Oh, that all may

DOS8 yet awake and see the things as they are; oh, that all may clearly and plainly discern their Lord, their own selves, their privileges and responsibilities. How deep is the slumber of many of God’s children, who drank the mixed wine of Babylon—imbibing the errors which the old. wicked enemy so well understands how to mix in the cup. By this we mean the newest seduction of God’s people from the Truth by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, whose work was once so richly blessed. May these pages be a loud cry to all of God’s people to awake, a warning cry not to fear and delay in opening heart and eyes, to see what is being taught and done by that Society! The following pages will show calmly, but clearly and convincingly, what a great falling away has taken place, and thus demonstrate to every one the necessity of waking up, discerning, deciding and acting without delay or doubtful deliberations, and of being constrained by the love of Christ, which breaks the fetters and removes all obstacles. At the same time these pages will be an attempt to help those dear ones who, though they have been delivered from bondage, fall into unreasonable theories, speculations and daring predictions. We do not deal with mere suppositions or unfounded assertions, but with facts which are accessible and manifest to all.

From the bottom of our hearts we wish that all of the dear ones may be sincere enough to see these facts, and not close their eyes to them.

Although it is true that the Lord alone can give true Faith, and straighten out the confused sheep, it must not be overlooked that in so doing He constantly makes use of His children. Ro 10:14, 15; Jas 5:19, 20, and other Scriptures show us what our privileges and duties are. A passive state toward the desolations of the sanctuary, which generally leads to inactivity, can not be well pleasing to the Lord.

Beloved of the Lord, let us not cease to carry out the important duties of this "grand time"; let us not forget that we are consecrated to Him, and that we seek His approval. If we do not cleanse ourselves from the doctrines of errors, Isa 52:11, we will be found guilty and will have to atone. Let us act according to the Truth, regardless of possible consequences. Let us reject everything, even the smallest

DOS9 item, that is not from God, and only assent to that which is of the Lord decisively acknowledging:

THY WORD IS TRUTH!

With fervent prayers we look to the Lord, to whom we are consecrated, for whom we desire to live and die, that He may bless our feeble efforts to serve Him and His precious Truth. The only motives we have for the publication of this work are the glorification of His great name, and the furtherance of the spiritual interests of His people. We wish especially to stress the fact that this work is not perfect, but only in part, 1Co 13:9-12, and that our conclusions should not be considered authoritative.

In conclusion we are thankful to and appreciative of all the dear brothers and sisters who in any way, be it through encouragement, contribution, advice or act have assisted in this work. May the Lord richly bless their labors and sacrifices.

THE PUBLISHERS.

Angerburg (East Prussia) Germany, New Year, 1928..

AUTHOR’S PREFACE TO THE ENGLISH EDITION

The German edition of this work, which has been distributed in several thousand copies and in various countries of the earth, has found an exceeding lively echo by God’s people. Many dear ones have confirmed us in pleasing communications, saying that the contents of the book have been very helpful to them and shown them still more clearly the wrong way of a shallow grown movement, and also thereby the glorious divine truths. A further number of dear friends have by the Lord’s grace been awakened from spiritual slumber and reminded of their chief duties toward the Lord through a study of the book. Indeed, we may say, that very many brothers and sisters, yes, entire classes have passed through into the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free (Gal 5:1), after the perusal of this work. It will doubtless interest the dear readers to learn that the dear brother mentioned on page 138 (conversation between

DOS10 A & B) has been cleared up spiritually through the reading of the book. The same thing is true with the maker of the organization sketch; this dear brother sees today also with clear eyes where such an organization leads to. so we rejoice that "our labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1Co 15:58). A pamphlet issued by the German office of the Watch Tower Society against the authors of this book, which pamphlet is strongly personal and offensive, was not able to hinder these very pleasing results. With numerous friends the very opposite was gained by the Watch Tower Society from what was intended. Individual attempts to controvert our presentations set forth only a confirmation of the errors of the Society, and show that the Society is not ready to humble itself before the Lord and forsake its wrong way.

And now we lay this work into the hands of the hands of the dear brothers and sisters of the English tongue, while at the same time heartily thanking the brethren who have incited and carried out the publication of the book in the English language. But above all we give hearty thanks to the Lord, who has visibly smoothed the way for this. May He himself accompany this book with His blessing.

The dear readers will find that the contents of the book in part illustrate more the conditions among the German friends. But since the conditions on this side of the ocean are only the result of the direction of one central office, it seemed appropriate to carry the considerations in question over into the English edition also. only a few small parts, which would not be interesting to the dear friends in America and the other English speaking countries, have been omitted.

In general it might be remarked yet that the Watch Tower Society has departed still more from the truth and the methods in accordance with the truth. It would lead too far to examine the latest erroneous teachings presented by the Society since the publication of this book, which teachings are continually represented as coming from the Lord. The request has indeed been made to us to issue a supplement of the book, because of the newly added errors of the Society; we do not believe however that this is necessary. The ones obedient to God have been warned (not by us.

DOS11 alone!) and are awake, the ones obedient to men would not forsake their men-service because of further presentations.

In giving favorable mention on a few pages of this book to the "Herald" movement, the thought to set them up as authoritative (as so many dear ones do with the Watch Tower Society), was far from us. We mentioned them especially because of their good Christian spirit. In this connection we would mention that there are also still other movements among God’s people which seek to procure the acknowledgement of the Lord and His word. As concerning questions of knowledge, we d well to build upon the infallible word of our God alone and to examine everything by this authority (Ac 17:11). There is no standstill in knowledge; but progress is necessary, of course not by sensationally lusting after the new, but by "meditating upon His law day and night."

It was also far from us to glorify Brother Russell. As much as we esteem him for his humble walk and Christine spirit, so much have we emphasized and do we emphasize, that we are to follow and worship the Lord alone. Let us love the brethren, but let us not love them more than the Lord, whose word should be Yea and Amen to us! When we mentioned the presentations of Brother Russell with esteem, alongside of the testimony of the Scriptures, it was done chiefly to show how far the Watch tower society, which claims to be his "successor, " has departed in the period of a decade from his mostly correct teachings and good methods.

Thus we send this edition also forth with the prayer to the Lord that He might let it serve as a means to open the eyes of those who have given themselves into spiritual dependence to men, and to be a strengthening to those who thus far already have stood up in decisive loyalty for the Lord and His Truth. May God grant this! We greet all yokefellows in brotherly love with 1Joh 4:7.

EMIL and OTTO SADLACK.

Angerburg (East Prussia) Germany, October, 1929..

DOS12 ABBREVIATIONS

Vol. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, as used in this book—"Studies in the Scriptures, " by Charles Taze Russell (Pastor Russell).

Vol.7 ............." The Finished Mystery" W.T. ............ The Watch Tower Del. ............ The Book "Deliverance" Millions Booklet ..." Millions Now Living Will Never Die" W.T.R. ........... Watch Tower Reprints Example: W.T. 1927: 164, par. 16= 1927 Watch Tower, page 124, paragraph 16..

DOS13 PART ONE

THE CONFLICT BETWEEN LIGHT AND DARKNESS, BETWEEN TRUTH AND ERROR, FROM PARADISE UNTIL THE TIME OF THE FIRST COMING OF CHRIST

Enmity was ever upon the earth since Satan, the adversary of God, brought forth sin and taught men to do so. It was convenient for him also that conflicts arose amongst his people, mankind, who loved his sin, and it is evident that his greatest joy is the spirit of hostility.

But this enmity, this conflict, waged on the one hand with growing bitterness and on the other with increasing passion during the thousands of years of human history, was the conflict between light and darkness, between good and evil, between those submissive to God, and those obedient to the prince of darkness. Who does not here recall those ancient words of omniscient foresight spoken by Jehovah at the beginning of human history, so that both parties could hear: "and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed."

If the prince of sin expected that man would serve him with praise and pleasure, he was doomed to disappointment, for man served him with reluctance; having fallen a victim to sin, he was forced to follow in it, without being grateful to Satan. On the contrary, though generations passed without the fulfillment of the divine promise, the hope, born out of that promise for the crushing of the serpent, did not fade. Even today, after 6000 years, that hope has not perished, but is the common property of every race. Humanity hopes instinctively, and this is not in vain, for its fulfillment.

However the evil one may have appraised Almighty God’s determination to make the hope a reality, the specific promise concerning the "Seed of the Woman" disturbed him considerably.

"The Seed"—his enemy! The woman who had listened to him and sided with him, was to bear the "Seed!" How strange! A "Seed" came—and Eve burst out in exaltation as she remembered God’s promise. "I have the Seed, " she

DOS14 may have cried. And now Satan employed all his cruel wisdom, all his cunning, to bring that seed under his feet. We know that he again succeeded masterfully. Two "seeds" lived at that time, Cain and Abel. While the one inclined toward God, endeavoring to learn His will, the other was merely a plaything for the passions of the arch-enemy. The one on Satan’s side slew the one on God’s side, the evil killed the good. Such was the first conflict between the two "seeds" that were brought forth from man and yet constituted differently.

Satan may have imagined that God was outwitted, and may well have celebrated his victory that day. The donors and nourishers of the "Seed" suffered great sorrow. Their hope was grievously impaired by this occurrence, yet hope did not die. It cannot die, for God has put it into the heart.of man.

After Abel’s murder Satan saw another "Seed" appear—Seth. His peace and self assurance was disturbed once more. How he hated "the Seed!" How he would like to exterminate it, root and all! He planned further and worked with cruel cunning and trickery. He wanted to exterminate the "Seed" and finally have peace. And he had success continually, for men came to his side en masse. On the other hand there were very few searchers after God who sought Him earnestly.

We know little definitely of that early period of human history, but we do know that a bitter conflict raged between the two seeds. It went so far that "all flesh was corrupted upon the earth, " that only a few still lived who were of pure Adamic stock, so that God said that He was prepared to intervene, that the "end" (extinction) of all (human) flesh was come before Him.

How so? The Scriptures give us enough knowledge of it, even though briefly stated therein.

Satan again had his destroying hand in it, and apparently reaped complete success. That word about the "Seed of the woman" gave him neither peace nor rest; it pursued him whether he came or went. He must make void the promise of God relating to the "Seed, " no matter how. He made alliances with the angels to whom the "first world" was entrusted, picturing the most wonderful results and placing before them, as he had done to man,

DOS15 such delusively convincing propositions, that a part of the angels esteemed it an honor to pleasantly surprise God by carrying out such lofty plans.

As daughters were born unto men, it seemed to Satan an exceptional opportunity to carry out his wicked scheme. Cunningly he suggested to a part of Jehovah’s angelic host to help man (and so bring to a grand finale the commission of God) by establishing a new race of men, apart from the lineage of Adam, a new race, not subjected to the workings of sin and death received through Father Adam. The "daughters" of men would serve the "sons" of God to this end. When they refused, force was used. this story is described in Ge 6, and is briefly mentioned in several other Scriptures. This is the incident which supplied gods and demi-gods for many ancient myths. From this inter-marriage, desired and obtained by Satan, came the giants of mythology.

"There were giants in those days, " says the Scripture significantly and emphatically. Here was a new race, and a sevenfold woe now attacked Adam’s posterity. Satan’s intended results materialized; the earth was filled with violence "through them, " i.e., the giants, the Scripture says (Ge 6:13).

What a terrible drama took place on earth at that time! The scenes can hardly be described by the liveliest imagination. What a conflict, with Satan the victor! His final victory seemed at hand. "All flesh" had corrupted its "way" (or creation); in a few centuries the Adamic stock was almost wiped out. We do not know how long this went on, but probably more than ten centuries, possibly "one thousand two hundred and sixty days" (years) or even more. Ge 4:26 seems to suggest this. "Then" men began to call upon the name of Jehovah for relief from oppression.

Jehovah means the Unchangeable One, the God who keeps His word, who is faithful, and it seems that men, remembering God’s promises, given at the beginning of Satan’s destroying work, cried to Jehovah for help..The result of the conflict was as prophesied by God. God always seems to succumb, and Satan’s banner victorious; but when danger is greatest (not before, for such are God’s superhuman purposes), then God shows His hand

DOS16 and shows to all His astonished creatures, that He, Jehovah, is the All-faithful one, who keeps His word unto thousands of generations. The His Seed (the little flock of faithful ones) takes new hope and courage and clings with renewed strength to His merciful promises. The flood came, and with one stroke destroyed them all; "the world of the ungodly" was suddenly wiped away. (Lk 17:27; 2Pe 2:5.) Satan had his day of mourning after many feasts had been celebrated.

Did he stop? Did he give up his burning hatred, his deep-set plans against that mysterious "Seed of the woman"? No! Spitefully he schemed further, new ways and means must be looked for and found, for he must reach his goal. He again tried to have willing subjects, by driving a wedge between the few of pure Adamic stock, who had been saved. Lo and behold, the cast prospered. Only one sang the song of the unchangeable Jehovah God, the majority served "other" gods. Shem was chosen to further the promise given in Eden concerning the seed of the woman and all those which had been added as branches of that original promise, perhaps also those which God gave to devout Enoch, who had probably lived in the days of terror and who was saved in special way by the Lord, on account of his devotion, from the violence of the giants of those days. After Shem, Abraham appeared, and, as the "Seed of the woman" frightened the adversary of God. One seeker after God who serves Him, can fill thousands of God’s enemies with fear and terror, for God the Almighty, the great God of miracles, is with him. God always makes use of the humble, the devout and the obedient. He did not use the natural first-born, but the moral, spiritual first-born.According to the flesh they were not the first-born, but second or third-born, as for instance, Seth, Shem, Abraham, Jacob, David, etc. This was the divine choosing according to His plan of eternal unending wisdom.

We have only to read a little to find out how often Satan tried to root out those whom he knew to be on God’s side, one of whom he suspected, yes, anxiously might expect, would be the cause of his end. Why was Sarah taken into the house of Pharaoh? Was it not in connection with

DOS17 the destruction of the "Seed of the woman"? Why did Esau the first-born pursue Jacob, who had lawfully bought* the birthright, which the idolatrous Esau had considered worthless? He had to flee far from Esau, and endure "frost and heat" in a strange land. Why did Joseph, through whom the "stone" came (Ge 49:24) have to go out form his people into the world as a slave, and then into the prison where the inmates were most severely punished by the king? The answer to this "Why" is in connection with the "Seed of the woman" which the evil one at all times hated.

————— *Here we refer to the interesting and evidently correct explanation in the short article "Jacob and Esau in a new light." (W. T. 1910:377). —————

So it was in every generation, in fact in all the 60 centuries past. Enmity and conflict were the signs that the promise of God had not yet been fulfilled. How much could we learn by thoroughly and zealously studying the way of those devout ones who thus walked during the thousands of years. Indeed, how much would we learn for ourselves; we stress "for ourselves !" Even though one often looks to God’s heroes of the past in greatest recognition of their devotion to Him, when living co-laborers, for their faithfulness to God, praise enthusiastically each member of the "Seed of the woman"—how often do the living heroes forget, that they, even they themselves, must do their duty just as well as the former? How often does it happen, that such who could be used of God, in the course of time bid "Him Farewell" (Job 1:5, 11), often without knowing it. When the conflict became less bitter (for Satan is a cunning War- Lord), then the fateful end was near: those who had been called by God relaxed in fighting courage. "God’s people" (Israel) were in Egypt a little over two centuries, and it was high time for God to lead them "up" into His land. Satan had caused Israel to be pitilessly enslaved, because he felt, and rightly so, that the mysterious "Seed" must be or come out of Israel. He stirred "The Iron Furnace" (De 4:20) and worked God’s design without wanting to do so. Should not Israel be saved from dissolution amongst the Egyptians, and be led out? For this reason a fiery furnace had to be made, so that Israel would flee. Would they have gone out otherwise? Perhaps not! In this way Satan always works out God’s designs even now.

DOS18 CONTINUATION OF THE CONFLICT FROM THE TIME OF THE FIRST ADVENT OF CHRIST TO THE PRESENT. (TO THE APPEARANCE OF BROTHER RUSSELL.)

We pass over the intervening millenniums, and come to the time of Christ, although much of profit may be said of that period. To speak like St. Paul in Hebrews 11:32, what could we say of David, the youngest of the eight, the "little one" of God’s choice (in contrast to the "great" Saul) whom the "great one, " driven by the evil spirit, persecuted; what could we say of God’s prophets also, who were persecuted unto death by those prophets and teachers who in their own opinion "lawfully" sat in Moses’ seat; always the same picture: a conflict between good and evil, between those who seek after God and those who do Satan’s service. How many of those who were once called by God and chosen for a special service, joined the ranks of the persecutors, after they came to the point of considering their position as a "right ." What a great desolation was wrought by them amongst the real "first-born, " the first-born of God! God always had to reject those who fought for their "right ," and accepted others, who were better than they (1Sa 15:28), who really sought after Him, without resorting to agents or associations which have fallen into mischief. Such noble ones, made perfect through much varied experiences of affliction and suffering, will be co-workers with God when His time has come for the crushing out of evil that will stir the whole world.

Jesus, the first-born of all creatures, came. Satan may not have calculated on that. We do not know if he knew when Jesus the Savior of the world was born, that the long promised "Seed of the woman" had come. At least no one can be certain. We will have to leave it undecided as to whether or not he knew of the extraordinary birth of Jesus (that Jesus had no earthly father, but was in truth the "Seed of the woman"), but we do know, that he immediately appeared upon the scene to destroy the child Jesus. Herod, the "great" the "heroic" was goaded on, and the plan seemed

DOS19 to be a complete success. The unrest of the arch-fiend certainly increased at that time, for something peculiar seemed to be going on. If the demons knew the Holy One of God (Mk 1:24), then the chief of the demon host surely knew Him also. The one, by whom everything was made, even Lucifer himself, came as a child upon the earth, something that never happened before. "What can that mean?" may have been Satan’s anxious question. No wonder that he gave free vent to his cunning and cruel thoughts. But "the foolishness of God is wiser than men, " wiser also than the greatest adversary (1Co 1:25). Therefore the child Jesus was removed at the right time, and, how peculiar, that "Egypt, " the world, hostile toward God, granted Him protection.

How crafty did Satan appear again and again in the long millenniums. From the time that he in self-exaltation steeped out of his divinely appointed element, he heeded no instruction. On the contrary, he practiced evil more and more, hateful and furious against those who served God. At all times it was as Luther said: "For still ancient foe; doth seek to work us woe; His craft and pow’r are great; and, armed with cruel hate; On earth is not his equal."

These things from time to time are more or less forgotten even by those who served God, and therefore again and again came to pass a new "falling into sin, " by those covenanted to God, and then others were raised up to keep alive the conflict for Truth, Light and Right.

Thirty years passed, and the time was come for the man Jesus to (1) give His unblemished human life (to God) as a ransom price for man, and (2) at the same time to be begotten to a new spiritual life, the highest, even the divine. This occurred at the due time. And as it occurred, Satan again tried his hand to destroy the "Seed" he feared. With surpassing craft he worked to attain his end. He possibly made some seeming concessions. Perhaps he proposed to do the work of God together with the "Seed, " asking only an acknowledgment for himself. But Jesus, who had His God and Lord set before Him always (Ps 16:8), knew

DOS20 that the slightest deviation from the Will of Him who had sent Him would mean eternal loss.

Looking up to His father, He conquered. And so He has become the brightest shining example, the beginner and the finisher of the faith to all who want to serve God in this world of darkness and sin. "Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus, I’ve lost sight of all beside—" should be the continued and unchangeable wish of those who are faithful to God. Let us note that Jesus was here left to Himself, as later also for a while on the cross, in a special sense the Father had forsaken Him. But after passing every such especially difficult trial He was divinely strengthened. After the temptation in the wilderness angels came and ministered unto him. We also, if we are firm in our faith, and do not deviate willingly even an inch from the divine path, if we come through the severest trials as conquerors, receive special strength through the loving providence of the almighty God. This is our consolation; taught by such experiences we are exercised, at all times and in all ways to trust the Lord and leave to Him the outcome of every trial.

Absolute trust in the Lord is always rewarded, even though we cannot see a step ahead. And we must often suffer an apparent defeat, in order to be victorious. Satan rejoiced, as Jesus hung upon the cross, satanically tormented, helpless, rejected by nearly all, bending His head, dying; for Satan surely believed that after thousands of years he had finally succeeded in his attempt to destroy the "Seed of the woman." Truly, it seemed as if he had conquered; as if Jesus’ trust in the Father had been of no avail. But we know that in this way only the greatest victory of all the ages could be won, and so won. In apparent defeat was the victory! The arch-fiend’s joy of seeming victory received a most damaging blow a few hours later, when, to the glory of the Father, Jesus was resurrected! Jesus not only came, 1900 years ago, to lay down His life as a ransom-price, and so to provide a basis necessary for eternal life of humanity; He came also, to prepare the way for a "New Creation" of Jehovah’s. At the moment of His presentation as a sacrifice (giving up the human life for all time in sacrificial death), He was begotten of the

DOS21 highest plane of being, and the same incomparable opportunity was given to His disciples, His true followers for some of the human family, under condemnation of sin and death; a privilege that can hardly be grasped! Without further explanation it can be understood why God put such stringent requirements upon those who are called to such glory, and why He demands from them absolute faithfulness and unqualified acquiescence to Him and to His cause. Is not the necessity for this clear? If those who are so called are to be joint-heirs of Jesus Christ, if they are to be clothed with the glory of the Father, together with Jesus the Head, if they are to occupy royal thrones; and if they are to receive immortality as the very essence of their being, then they must first be most severely tried to prove that they will never fall into sin, as Satan did. Glory, Honor and Immortality (Ro 2:7) upon the highest heavenly plane will be given to no one who has not first shown an implicit submission in respect to God’s will—thus proving himself fit for such a place.

Jesus imparted those terms to His followers clearly and distinctly. He advised well-considered and not hastily conceived decisions and resolutions (Lk 14:26-33). Whoever does not forsake all and follow only Him as a leader will not reach the heavenly goal.

No one can ever expect that the requirements will be lowered on his account. And the faithful ones can testify from experience that in looking unto Jesus their strength takes root; that it leads us to victory in the pathway; "following Jesus, e’en through shame, " carries us forward to the.goal. Every victory may be traced back to this looking unto Jesus. Every defeat can be attributed to a neglect of this chief duty. But this "looking" includes much more than is usually realized. As we found Jesus, and entered into communion with Him, as we believed in the forgiveness of our sins and our hearts were glad and free, we were so fervent at this turning point of our life, that we felt and resolved, like Peter, that: "Though I should die with thee, yet will I deny thee." Did it always remain so? If it remained so and still is, happy are we. But it is not always

DOS22 so. The love to Him, the "Betrothal love, " the first, the holy, the strong love permeating and penetrating our whole being, becomes oh, so often, less and less—it is withdrawn from the Lord—and placed upon others, perhaps a group of God’s people, some congregation or ecclesia, which often tries by all means to hold that first love for themselves. And if the danger is not recognized in time, this may lead to a condition of coolness and loss of the "first love." If this love, which rightfully belongs to the head of the body of Christ, is given to a man, and association, or organization, then the "shining light " of such an association will eclipse that of our glorious Lord and Redeemer. Unfortunately it is . It frequently happens, that the Lord, in place of the people who forsook the close-hearted relationship with Him and love ecclesiastical contacts (associations, classes, etc.), more than they do Him, draws others to Himself, and always the little ones, the humble, those who consider being near His feet the most desirable place. Some are left to themselves, because they do not put Him above all else, while others, because they love Him more than everything else have His blessings in a special manner, but are left atone by the world. But always from those who are less appreciative of the Lord’s blessings there must "come out" the true disciples, those who give Him their first love. This is the command of Him who called them.

The apostles and others in the beginning of the Gospel age were in full heart-harmony with the bridegroom. They loved Him and died for Him. We well know they all had their weaknesses, as well as we, but their devotion to God is well known to us all. With the exception of one, the son of perdition, all the apostles were absolutely faithful. They put the Lord before themselves at all times. Also after his going away they reminded themselves of His admonitions to be faithful, and they obeyed them under all conditions, even when human wisdom dictated a seemingly better way. They followed in His footsteps.

Yes, our Lord and master firmly established His church. The foundation was laid in wisdom.

Nothing that was necessary was lacking. Thus endowed with the greatest conceivable good, the church of the living God began to walk the

DOS23 narrow and troublous path. Satan’s joy and confidence in seeming victory was not at all increased by what he saw. God again seemed to have a special purpose. Satan’s restlessness increased; his fears concerning the realization of the ancient, though unfulfilled promises about the work of the "Seed of the woman, " increased. Had he not learned that the Logos, who had become man and resisted all his crafty attacks, ad as a victorious hero ascended into the heavenly realms, experiencing an elevation above his previous exalted position? Then he saw this highly exalted one send a special heavenly gift to the waiting disciples: the spirit of the Father, which became in them a begettal to the same high nature, the divine nature. Now it was necessary to work with greater cunning and artfulness. If he could not cause Jesus, the head of God’s church to fall, he would have to make the greatest effort to accomplish that with His followers, His "body." Into them, as with the angels before the flood, he injected the thought that the same purpose (of the Lord) could be carried out more successfully in another and better way. They must lose sight of their master and guide.

Did he accomplish his ends? Rather too quickly: His ambition, his urge for self-exaltation found the desired planting ground in the hearts and minds of many of God’s people. An undercurrent impelled by Satan was already noticeable in the early Church; a spirit began to develop that was intended to destroy the foundation and superstructure of the temple of the Church. We only have to read the account in the Acts, and specially the letters of the Apostles, to establish through them that a "falling away" had taken place in the earliest period of the Church. The "first love" was perceptibly cooled off, and was withdrawn little by little from Him to whom it was vowed.

Self-wisdom was highly esteemed, and it was the most able and outwardly prominent ones who in marked degree aided the "falling away"—partly unknowingly. The glitter of their personal wisdom dimmed their eyes to the brightness of the Lord, their only master (2Pe 1:2; Jude 4).

Their own methods, conceived by their own wisdom, took first place and demanded peremptory "acknowledgement and rights, " and that with unyielding passion. The suffering for Jesus’ sake, the waiting for Him, and the promised exaltation gradually became less desirable,

DOS24 and the second coming of Christ, which was once soon expected, because it tarried, was lost sight altogether. From time to time men, leaders in the Church, arose with definite messages and prophesies, and as these were not confirmed in time, and were proven to be earthly wisdom, they were not humble and honest enough to admit that their messages were a product of their own wisdom. Such dishonestly was and has at all times been the great obstacle that hinders the children of God from making headway in the path "after Jesus." Just consider how certain leaders in Thessalonica, in spite of the opposing evidence, held fast to the bold assertion that the day of the Lord was here already; yes, even more, they ascribed that assertion to others, even the Apostles. St. Paul explicitly states, that no such thing proceeded from him (2Th 2:1, 2). It seems that even spurious letters played a role, for Paul said that the brethren in Thessalonica should not so soon be shaken "in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us. .." In almost every letter of the Apostle it is shown that the corruption, sown by the hand of Satan in the field of the Church, for the most part found good ground. It tends to the greatest strengthening of faith, it makes more secure our best resolutions made to God, it lets light fall upon our way, when, as seen through the telescope of God’s Word, we compare that time with our day. The similarity is most striking. Exactly the same stamp, exactly the same development! At that time there was a love for the Truth then shining, satisfying the heart and mind, the Truth "in person" (Jesus Christ, see Joh 14:6) and in Word; then afterwards an abandonment of this Truth, and the adoption of unsupported, self-wise, result-promising theories; and finally the great."falling away." In the last days of this same age of salvation there was the same development: First there was ardent admiration for the valuable and imperishable Truths of God which were found again, for the light of His Plan of the Ages, the joy in Him, and His revealed and for the most part recognized Truths; then, as at that time, after the special guardian of the great gifts of grace left this stage of life, the discovery of private wisdom, "New Light" that eclipses everything else, new plans, new methods, a giving

DOS25 up of the wonderful symmetrical Truths, and an acceptance of entirely new theories that are sensational, grasping, effective, and which attract general attention; and thus gradually the devouring cancer was born anew: the falling away! Once, joy in Him and His work and His Gifts, now, joy in "her" (any association or organization, and "her" work, "her" offerings. We know that it is hard for many to understand the things as they really are; but time will write the history, and a little distance will give a better perspective to the connections, the causes and the effects. Then many will admit that we called attention to a development of things, which, becoming more powerful, is not for the good of—but to the greatest harm of the sanctuary. Even today it is not hard for some to see the striking similarity of the two ends (beginning and ending) of the gospel-age. In the following pages we will examine facts and proofs to show to all the honest and sincere of heart, what duties are theirs, what requirements they will have to comply with if they would have the approval of their God.

The falling away in the early church was quite gradual, and yet so that all the faithful watchers could discern its signs. We think it very appropriate to quote here the truly momentous words of our dear Bro. Russell, which are of greatest significance in this connection. He says in Volume One, pp. 285-287: "With the early church the promises of kingdom honor and joint-heirship with the Master were strong incentives to faithfulness under present trials and persecutions, which they had been forewarned to expect; and in all the words of comfort and encouragement in the Apocalypse, given to the Seven Churches, none shine out more clearly and forcibly than those which declare, " To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne"; and, "To him that overcometh will I give power over the nations."

These are promises which could not reasonably be misconstrued to apply to a present work of grace in the heart, nor yet to a reign over the nations in the present life; since they who would overcome must do so by death in the service, and thus gain the kingdom honors (Re 20:6).

But human nature seeks to avoid suffering and is ever ready to grasp honor and power; hence we find that even in.

DOS26 the Apostles’ day some in the Church were disposed to appropriate the promises of future honor and power to the present life, and were beginning to act as though they thought the time had already come for the world to honor and even obey the Church. The Apostle Paul writes, correcting this error, knowing that such ideas would have an injurious effect upon the Church by cultivating pride and leading away from sacrifice. He says to them, ironically, "Now ye are full, now ye are rich; ye have reigned as kings without us." And then he adds, earnestly, "I would to God ye did reign, that we (persecuted Apostles) also might reign with you" (1Co 4:8).

They are enjoying their Christianity by trying to get out of it and with it as much honor as possible; and the Apostle well knew that if they were faithful as followers of the Lord they would be in no such condition. Hence he reminds them that if indeed the long-looked-for reign had begun, he also would be reigning no less than they, and of the fact that he by faithfulness was a sufferer for the Truth’s sake, which was a proof that their reign was premature, and a snare rather than a glory. Then, with a touch of irony, he adds, "We (Apostles and faithful servants) are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised." I do not write these things merely to shame you: I have a better and nobler object—to warn you; for the path of present honor leads not to glory and honor to be revealed; but present suffering and self-denial are the narrow path to glory, honor, immortality and joint-heirship in the Kingdom. Wherefore, I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

Suffer and be reviled and persecuted now, that you may share with me the crown of life, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all those that love his appearing (1Co 4: 10-17; 2Ti 4:8).

But, after a great deal of persecution had been faithfully endured by the early Church, theories began to spread to the effect that the mission of the Church was to conquer the world, establish the Kingdom of Heaven on earth and reign over the nations before the Lord’s second advent.

This laid the foundation for worldly intrigue, pomp and pride, ostentatious show and ceremony in the Church, which was designed to impress, captivate and overawe the world, and which led step by step to the great claims of Papacy that as God’s kingdom on earth it had a right to command the respect and obedience to its laws and officers of every kindred, nation and people.

Under these false claims (and they seemingly deceived themselves as well as others) Papacy for a time crowned and uncrowned the kings of Europe, and still claims the authority which it is unable to enforce."

Thus far Bro. Russell. Now we ask: Is not history repeating

DOS27 itself today? Has not the wisdom of men (1Co 2:4, 5) again supplanted the wisdom of God (1Co 2:7)? Have not certain things been proclaimed with the greatest intolerance, as ready to take place at such and such time, which did not occur, because God’s thoughts were not the thoughts of these very fallible men? Did these men, who acted with such presumption, then repent? No! Were they of contrite heart, and again ready to be kind and loving to those who had long warned against such proclamations and dangerous desire for power? No! Did the complete failure of the message which they so spectacularly advertised among men, make them.small? Did they take pains to keep themselves under a more appropriate restraint in the future?

No! Or did they continue with their proud activity and proclamation? Yes! Did they insist that they were right, despite all the failures in their "work"? Did they continue to smite, injure and treat with hatred those who were earnest and established, the sober and warning ones among God’s people? Yes, alas! Ah, that this had to come! Knowing the terrible results of the great apostasy which culminated in the pompous system of Papacy which enslaved all, we should not hesitate, for our own sakes, to diligently trace the causes for this fiercely vicious movement. And today, as we call attention to such causes planted anew in these last days, and bring everything in line with the infallible Word of God, then everyone in his own interest should open his eyes wide to see these evil things and do his part in keeping the disastrous outworkings of these causes that are bound to come from reaching the degree which Satan desires. Just as we are sometimes to blame for our physical ailments, even so we are to blame for our poor spiritual condition, we are also to blame for the poor condition of our spiritual communion; and even for the spiritual condition of God’s people in general. Would that each child of God might recognize this! And speak and act rather than endeavor to avoid reproach and suffering by keeping silent. Would that there might be uncovered no crookedness and dishonesty toward God, the Omniscient One, who searcheth the heart and reins! How often did the apostles have to oppose erroneous

DOS28 teachings of the "brethren" who had been taken in the snares of the apostasy. We have already referred to the apostles’s plain warning to God’s children in Thessalonica, who were in danger of "acknowledging" brethren who taught error, and of letting the genuine message of God slip. The teachers of error declared: "The day is already here!" The apostle had to flatly contradict this and say: "The day is not here yet!" He had to exhort them urgently to cultivate their love for the truth, and to stand fast in the teaching which they had received, both orally and in writing (2Th 2:10, 13-15). The evil referred to in the epistle to the Thessalonians, which later worked so destructively, was also present in the church at Corinth; indeed, it had penetrated into the churches everywhere. Satan was interested in it. He had planted and watered it, and it had prospered greatly according to his evil expectations. Some of these Corinthians were over-wise like the Thessalonians, in believing that the time had already come. A patient waiting for exaltation and enthronement was thought unnecessary; and, contrary to the will of the humble class of watchers they began to judge and to reign! Paul had to warn those Corinthians to "Judge nothing before the time" (1Co 4:5). Were they able to bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and to make manifest the counsel of then heart? No! Does not this show that some were already controlled by evil schemes? Yes, their thought was to judge, but they manifestly did not use the necessary zeal to properly judge amongst themselves and in their own affairs.

That was just it! Others were prematurely judged, but where judgment was most necessary, i.e., of themselves, nothing was done. Paul rebukes them saying: "Is it so, that there is not amongst you? No, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers" (1Co 6:5, 6). They were unable to judge among themselves, and therefore went to the unbelieving judge. All this shows very plainly that.their inclination to judge was a sprouted sowing of the evil one. The fearful consequences of this evil sowing were fully manifested after several centuries, especially during the "brightest" period of the "dark" ages. But the evil causes lay in the early days of the deflection

DOS29 from the express admonition of the Lord and His inspired apostles.

And today, inn the end of the age, do we not know that this old doctrine is publicly proclaimed?—the doctrine that we are to judge already in this life? Do we know that is is expressly stated that the judgment of the sheep and goats takes place now, and the fulfillment of this parable of Mt 25:31-46 could not take place during the Millennial Age! Yes, we know. And is it not known, that one cannot or will not use the necessary energy to judge one’s self? Is it not known that an appeal has been made to the masses, to help secure for the accursed a favorable judgment? Did the apostles so appeal to the masses? Was not their trust wholly in the God whom they served? And did they not, when the Lord permitted an oppression to come, turn to the believers, whom they exhorted to pray for them?

When the Corinthians (and some in other churches which had departed from the everlasting truth) judged, they of necessity had to reign also. and so it was! suffering and bearing reproach were less pleasant and desirable and it was so nice to be above others and keep them in their proper place. what does Paul say to the wise Corinthians? "Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us; and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you" (1Co 4:8). Do not almost the same expressions occur in the message to the Church of the Laodiceans, which portrays the conditions among God’s people in the end of the age (Re 3:17)? The Laodiceans ruled—but "to their own hurt, " as Solomon says (Ec 8:9), because in their condition they were still strongly natural, imperfect men, and in the eyes of the Omniscient One not competent to carry out a divinely intended reign.

Alongside of Paul’s warning "Judge nothing before the time" can be set, "Don’t reign before the time." Alas, so many no longer were pleased with the truly beautiful "activity" of sitting at the Savior’s feet and hearkening to His word in order to learn of Him, and then to bring the glad message to other hungering and thirsting ones. Such service brought but little gain pleasing to worldly ones, and when it did bring something, it was reproach and suffering. Another "activity" had to be

DOS30 sought, and it was found: to rule. Satan made it desirable, like the fruit of the lust of the soul in Paradise (Ge 3:6; Re 18:14). The fruit was chosen, and disaster came. The Kingdom of god had come—so it was declared among those wise in their own conceits, who, after being warned, were too insincere to perceive and acknowledge their course as destructive and a failure. Should they as "authorities" yield to the humble little ones who had warned them, and acknowledge their warnings as justified? That they would not do; "authorities" are unwilling to yield to nobodies. And so the accepted thought of reigning had to be continually enlarged upon and built up. these "rulers" (Nicolaitanes, Re 2:6, 15) were reigning in God’s Kingdom, as they said, and demanded acknowledgement and submission. And so cleverly had the arch-enemy introduced the matter, that a very large part of God’s people of that time failed to perceive the disastrous effect of it. Most of them loved to have it so, and the Lord’s truly faithful ones, who set His word above all things else, were placed in a difficult position.

Side by side with the "upward climb" of the apostates to glory and rulership, the Lord’s faithful ones "descended downward" into suffering and tribulation for His sake. Both of these movements in opposite directions developed side by side, till the one brought the other to the rack and the stake! Oh people of God, guard your holiest treasures! Take knowledge of the danger in which you find yourselves anew! Take your stand promptly against every thought and endeavor to centralize ecclesiastical power, right of rulership, and the sole right to teach in the Church of God! behold the original development, see its bitter fruits and learn therefrom for yourselves! Do not hesitate; thy Lord demands that you take a determined stand for Him and His truth.

Yes, the Corinthians reigned! Their kingdom of course was the Kingdom of God, because all who came thus, desolating the sanctuary of God, came not in their own, but "in His (!) name." in order to make the deception the more complete. But the Lord had foretold this to His own, with the important addition: Then do not follow them. They with their kingdom should have hung their heads for shame, for in their "Kingdom of god" things happened which were similar to the orgies of heathen festivals. After St. Paul

DOS31 had earnestly reminded them that they were reigning without him, without the apostles, he showed them the utter miserableness of their reign and their Kingdom of God, by saying: "It is reported commonly that there is fornication (!) among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles..." (1Co 5:1). A nice Kingdom of God, in which such devouring abominations are around about! And then, despite all this, to sit upon a high horse and reign from above! This is very like the spirit of the evil one. Did God’s people in Corinth do their duty in this matter? Did they act or were they silent? Or did they permit the Nicolaitanes to do as they pleased? Most of them were deficient in their zeal for the Lord, and most likely squandered their zeal in favor of those who deserved such approval by the Lord and the Apostle, for Paul, in the sorrow of his heart, had to rebuke thus: "And ye are puffed us, and ye have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from you" (1Co 5:2).

Thus it was with the wise Corinthians, who were already infected with the spirit of the evil one.

Is if any different today? How about these very things which Paul scourges? Are such evil doers removed from our midst? Or do they continue to "reign" and to judge and to condemn those who are better than themselves (1Sa 15:28)? Is such a puffed-up condition unknown today? Has judgment been held in the church of God? Alas, the voices of the few who cry out for a return to the "first love, " to simplicity and humility, to purity, to a desire to learn from and to a single mindedness toward Christ the Lord (2Co 11:2, 3) are drowned out by the shoutings of the many who enthusiastically sing Hosanna, not to Him who bought them and who deserves such Hosannas, but to themselves and to their self-made pompous organizations, to which they have attached the beautiful badge of honor "The Lord’s work." Yes, everything that is being done, however foolish it may be. and which time has long since proven untenable, is.done "in His name." "And ye are puffed up and have not rather mourned"—says Paul, and this reproach hits a large part of God’s people today.

DOS32 The Church of Christ is the "mystery of God, " generally unknown; its members’ lives are hid in God (Col 3:3). The apostasy, culminating in the grand system "Babylon, " is also a "mystery, " hidden to many, not recognizable by the many as such. The former is the "Mystery of God, " which He planted and is causing to thrive in the midst of "much tribulation"; the latter is the "mystery of iniquity, " of the evil one, who planted it and is causing it to prosper in the glory of rulership. One is opposed to the other, one wars against the other. It is nothing else but the old enmity pronounced in Eden. If all were immediately manifest, the Church of God as well as the devastating system of iniquity, then the purpose and goal of each could easily be recognized by all, but it was God’s Will that the revealment of His own should not take place till after their course in faithful service, in the footsteps of Jesus, in the way of suffering and ignominy was completed. Thus the Church had to pass through a time of much persecution and affliction. The divinely appointed leaders were, to a certain extent, taken from her by divine permission, and her path truly led through the "Valley of the Shadow of Death." But she remained faithful; nothing could force her away from the "Rock of Ages, " not even the gates of hades. Even the source of all light, the Word of God, was taken from her; the Christian Nicolaitanes appropriated in masterly fashion the methods of their Jewish predecessors (Lk 11:52) and yet the church felt the hand of her Lord. They "who cheerfully, though weeping, gave Him their goods and blood" were not without light. Even though they were only a few in number, surrounded by deepest heathen darkness, and a Christian (?) darkness like unto it, yet they could more or less clearly discern the origin and growth of the oft-mentioned "mystery of iniquity." And this caused them to draw all the closer to the Lord, and to love His word and His law. They continued victorious, and heroically maintained their faith in him who loved them and gave Himself for them; and for this they willingly died upon the rack and at the stake or in the gruesome dark dungeons of the earth. They died by the hands of those who had made false progress in pursuing the evil thought of the Corinthians ("we are reigning and judging already").

The Lord will reward their faithfulness in His due time, and to

DOS33 those who have already been full and rich and rulers, it will be said: Sit down there! Where do we stand? Let us not hesitate to see, and decide.

Pride and vainglory always bring with them the desire to supplant the truth, because the truth is the light which makes the evil manifest. Thus we find at the very beginning of the Christian Church the attempt to set aside the truth. The truth delivered to the Church by the Apostle Paul was opposed; yes, some highly esteemed leaders withstood the Apostle, and even questioned his apostleship. John, the loving disciple, also experienced the same thing. He who continually exhorted the faithful to love, had his letters, which were likewise written in the spirit of love, rejected by such self-conceited would-be lords. So he complains in his third epistle: "I wrote unto the Church, but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not." With evil, judging words, this would-be-preeminent one "prated" against the chosen apostle of love, and not satisfied with that, he even forbade those to do so who wanted to receive the brethren, "fellow-helpers to the truth" (3 John 8) and cast them out of the Church. Still we have the same picture: the "fellow-helpers to the truth " are being cast out of the Church. They might let the light which they possess shine too much into the evil, secret places of the rulers, and because the truth is the weapon most dreaded by these evil ones, it has to be removed from their midst. The "key of knowledge" was removed anew.

This, beloved, was the impression of the first days. And if the undercurrent was there already, when the specially chosen witnesses of the Lord, the apostles, were living, when the Christian doctrines were fought by the world-empire Rome (which certainly could not discern the difference between the true Christians and the tares!) how much more must it have spread after the special watchmen of the Church fell asleep, and after the "something" which was hindering the full appearance of the "mystery of iniquity" (2Th 2:6, 7), the heathen power—imperial Rome, had vacated its place. Then the destruction became greater and greater.

Erroneous teachings increased terrifyingly, and like a horrible incubus Satan’s system of oppression, Great Babylon,

DOS34 raised her head. The once faithful one fell, and by her union with the world became a harlot.

Exactly so as Israel of old. How very appropriate at this point are the words, once addressed to typical Israel: "How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers" (Isa 1:21). The same church which had been planted a noble vine, transformed itself, in the hands of the arch-deceiver, into a persecutress of God’s faithful ones, those who, out of love to their Lord and Master dared to avoid her pernicious ways, and who bore witness to the divine truth, both in doctrine and practice. How few there were who did this. The majority walked in the way of those who were entrenching themselves more and more in their enthroned positions.

By and by the thought was passionately presented, that the Church is god’s only organization here on earth, and that outside her pale and boundaries salvation cannot be had. This found lodgement in the hearts of those who failed to examine critically, or who loved human theories more than the word of God. The unthinking masses followed the ensnaring sophistries of their self-deceived leaders. To all those who failed to act upon the prophetic counsel given by Solomon the Wise in Proverbs 1 and 2, etc. (to "dig deep into divine wisdom") in order to be protected from the evil man and his equally evil wife (Pr 2:12, 16), it has happened as he described in the course of his presentations (Pr 7). This woman, in her passion, has ensnared all such who passed throughout the street near "her " corner, and went the way to "her " house in the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night (Pr 7:8, 9). Had not the "goodman" gone on a journey and would not return until the day appointed (Pr 7:19, 20—compare Lk 19:12)? "with her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she carried him away." And what happened? "He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks" (Pr 7:21, 22). And the thought that outside the church (organization) there is no salvation, was made into a strong creedal-dogma. As long as the Church was faithful to her Lord she made no such claims, but as soon as she had fallen, she defended this dogma most passionately. Thus she brought it about,