The State of the Churches

THEIR COVETOUSNESS

Another evidence of the fall of the churches is seen in their almost universal thirst for gain. Covetousness is the crying sin, both with priest and people. Describing the watchmen of the last days, the prophet says: SOC 11.3

“Yea, they are greedy dogs, which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.” Isaiah 56:11. SOC 11.4

“The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord and say, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us.” Micah 3:11. SOC 11.5

“For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them, every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.” Jeremiah 6:13. SOC 11.6

Many of the popular clergy have become rich from high salaries, donations, high pew-rents, etc., etc. SOC 11.7

“The noted clergymen of New York are not to be reckoned among the poor of this world, though they may be rich in faith. Bishop Hughes is worth his million; Rev. J. W. Geissenheiner, of the Lutheran church, is worth a quarter of a million; Rev. A. R. Van Nest is reckoned at $200,000, and has a million more in prospect; Rev. Dr. Spring has $100,000, and his young bride three times as much more; Rev. Dr. Adams is worth $100,000: Rev. Dr. Potts, $50,000; Bishop Janes, about $100,000; Rev. Henry Ward Beecher and Dr. R. S. Storrs, of Brooklyn, are set down at about $30,000 each.”—Springfield Republican. SOC 11.8

“For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. They are waxen fat they shine, yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked,” etc. Jeremiah 5:26-28. SOC 12.1