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The Devil’s Mission of Amusement by Archibald G Brown [Re-printed from
Watching
and Waiting] (This article was written approximately 100 years
ago, and it was a necessary warning at that time, but it is also very
relevant to the present situation. Mr. Brown is probably known because of his
association with Mr. Spurgeon. Both these men, with James Stephens and Frank
H White, were amongst the original seven who, in 1891, signed the statement
against the downgrade) Different days demand their own special testimony.
The watchman who would be faithful to his Lord and the city of his God has
need to carefully note the signs of the times and emphasize his witness
accordingly. Concerning the testimony needed now, there can be little, if
any, doubt. An evil is in the professed camp of the Lord, so gross, so brazen
in its impudence, that the most shortsighted of spiritual men can hardly fail
to notice it. During the past few years it has developed at an
abnormal rate, ever for evil. It has worked like leaven, until now the whole
lump ferments. Look which way you may, its presence makes itself manifest.
There is little, if anything, to choose between Church, Chapel, or Mission
Hall. However these may differ in some respects, they bear a striking
likeness in the posters that figure upon and disfigure their notice boards.
Amusement for the people is the leading article advertised by each. If my
readers doubt my statement, or think my utterance too sweeping, let them take
a tour of inspection and study 'the announcements for the week' at the doors
of the sanctuaries of their neighbourhood; or let them read the religious
advertisements in their local papers. I have done this again and again, until
the hideous fact has been proved up to the hilt, that 'amusement' is ousting
'the preaching of the gospel' as the great attraction. 'Concerts,'
'Entertainments,' ,'Fancy Fairs,' 'Smoking Conferences,' 'Dramatic Performances,'
are the words honoured with biggest type and most startling colours. The
Concert is fast becoming as much a recognised part of church life as the
Prayer Meeting, and is already, in most places, far better attended. 'Providing recreation for the people' will soon be
looked upon as a necessary part of Christian work and as binding upon the
Church of God, as though it were a Divine command, unless some strong voices
be raised which will make themselves heard. I do not presume to possess such
a voice, but I do entertain the hope that I may awaken some louder echoes.
Anyway, the burden of the Lord is upon me in this matter, and I leave it with
Him to give my testimony ringing tone, or to let it die away in silence. I shall
have delivered my soul in either case. Yet the conviction fills my mind that
in all parts of the country there are faithful men and women who see the
danger and deplore it and will endorse my witness and my warning. It is only during the past few years that
'amusement' has become a recognised weapon of our warfare and developed into
a mission. There has been a steady 'down grade' in this respect. From
'speaking out,' as the Puritans did, the Church has gradually toned down her
testimony; then winked at and excused the frivolities of the day. Then she
has tolerated them in her borders, and now she has adopted them and provided
a home for them under the plea of 'reaching the masses and getting the ear of
the people. ' The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the
Church of Christ that part of her mission is to provide entertainment for the
people with a view to winning them into her ranks. The human nature that lies
in every heart has risen to the bait. Here, now, is an opportunity of
gratifying the flesh and yet retaining a comfortable conscience. We can now
please ourselves in order to do good to others. The rough old cross can be
exchanged for a 'costume,' and the exchange can be made with the benevolent
purpose of elevating the people. All this is terribly sad, and the more so because
truly gracious souls are being led away by the specious pretext that it is a
form of Christian work. They forget that a seemingly beautiful angel may be
the devil himself, 'for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light'
(2 Corinthians 11:14). Not in Holy Scripture My first contention is that providing amusement for
the people is nowhere spoken of in Holy Scripture as one of the functions of
the Church. What her duties are will come under our notice later on. At
present it is the negative side of the question that we are dealing with.
Now, surely, if our Lord had intended His Church to be the caterer of
entertainment, and so counteract the god of this world, He would hardly have
left so important a branch of service unmentioned. If it is Christian work,
why did not Christ at least hint it? 'Go ye into all the world, and preach
the gospel to every creature,' is clear enough. So would it have been if He
had added, 'and provide amusement for those who do not relish the gospel.' No
such addendum, however, is to be found, nor even an equivalent for such, in
anyone of our Lord's utterances. This style of work did not seem to occur to
His mind. Then again, Christ, as an ascended Lord, gives to His Church
specially qualified men for the carrying on of His work, but no mention of
any gift for this branch of service occurs in the list. |
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