Great Controversy Notes

Chapter 21, A Warning Rejected, Pages 375-390

by Walter Rea

Chapter 21 as well as Chapter 22 are the result of padding of the former chapters XV and XVI in the forerunner of "Great Controversy", "Spirit of Prophecy", Volume 4. The "Inspiration" for the two chapters can be found in the early Reviews and Articles by J. N. Andrews and his brother in law, Uriah Smith, which James White copied in his later articles and books. Thus it can be shown and has been shown before, that in this chapter, most of the thoughts, ideas and material had come before in the writings of others. Even the Bible texts and flow of the chapters, the words, exhortations, all followed the works of others and ended up as the original material of James White first before it became Ellen White's visions or "Revelations": no thought of importance that is in these two chapters in the book "Great Controversy" really came from the mind or pen of Ellen White before it came from others through her husband, James White. Thus in these chapters as those before these two, James White was the author of much of "Great Controversy", as he continued to use a medley of authors to finish the book. In this chapter of 16 pages, 15 quotations of various lengths have been added to the "Spirit of Prophecy", Volume 4 Edition, while 28 Bible references are used to hold all the thoughts and quotations together.

1, In nearly a thousand places Advent congregations have been raised up, numbering, as near as I can estimate, some fifty thousand believers.

Bliss, William Miller, Page 327 - 1853

1, In nearly a thousand places Advent congregations have been raised up, numbering, as near as I can estimate, some fifty thousand believers.

White, James, William Miller, Page 361 - 1875

1. The proclamation, "Babylon is fallen," was given in the summer of 1844, and as a result, about fifty thousand withdrew from these churches.

White, Ellen, Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 4, Page 232 - 1884

1. In the summer of 1844 about fifty thousand withdrew from the churches.

White, Ellen, Great Controversy, Page 376 - 1911

47. Church of the Rev. Albert Barnes.--At a recent meeting of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, Rev. Mr. Barnes, pastor of the 1st Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, whose notes are so extensively used in our families and Sabbath schools, stated, that he had been in the ministry for twenty years, and never, till the last communion, had he administered the ordinance without receiving more or less to the church. But now there are no awakenings, no conversions, not much apparent growth in professors, and none come to his study to converse about the salvation of their souls. With the increase of business, and the brightening prospects of commerce and manufacture, there is an increase of worldly-mindedness. Thus it is with all the denominations. [illegible in copy of notes]

2. At a meeting of the presbytery of Philadelphia, Mr. Barnes, author of a commentary widely used and pastor of one of the leading churches in that city, stated that he had been in the ministry for twenty years, and never, till the last Communion, had he administered the ordinance without receiving more or less into the church. But now there are no awakenings, no conversions, not much apparent growth in the grace in professors, and none come to his study to converse about the salvation of their souls. With the increase of business, and the brightening prospects of commerce and manufacture, there is an increase of worldly-mindedness. Thus it is with all the denominations. - Congregational Journal, May 23, 1844.

White, Ellen, Great Controversy, Pages 376-377 - 1911

48. Prof. Finney, Editor of the Oberlin Evangelist, February 1844, says, "We have had the fact before our minds, that in general, the Protestant churches of our country, as such, were either apathetic or hostile to nearly all the moral reforms of the age. There are partial exceptions, yet not enough to render the fact otherwise than general. We have also another corroborated fact; the almost universal absence of revival influence in the churches. The spiritual apathy is almost all-pervading, and is fearfully deep; so the religious press of the whole land testifies. …Very extensively, church members are becoming devotees of fashion, -join hands with the ungodly in parties of pleasure, in dancing, in festivities, etc. …but we need not expand this painful subject. Suffice it that the evidence thickens and rolls heavily upon us, to show that the churches generally are becoming sadly degenerate. They have gone very far from the Lord, and He has withdrawn Himself from them."

Review & Herald, September 8, 1853, Pages 65-70 - 1853

49. In the month of February of the same year, Professor Finney of Oberlin College said: "We have had the fact before our minds, that, in general, the Protestant churches of our country, as such, were either apathetic or hostile to nearly all the moral reforms of the age. There are partial exceptions, yet not enough to render the fact otherwise than general. We have also another corroborated fact; the almost universal absence of revival influence in the churches. The spiritual apathy is almost all-pervading, and is fearfully deep; so the religious press of the whole land testifies. …Very extensively, church members are becoming devotees of fashion, -join hands with the ungodly in parties of pleasure, in dancing, in festivities, etc. …but we need not expand this painful subject. Suffice it that the evidence thickens and rolls heavily upon us, to show that the churches generally are becoming sadly degenerate. They have gone very far from the Lord, and He has withdrawn Himself from them."

White, Ellen, Great Controversy, Page 377 - 1911

50. Great Spiritual Dearth…"We have never witnessed such a general declaration of religion as at the present. Truly the church should awake and search into the cause of this affliction; for an affliction every one that loves Zion must view it. When we call to mind how 'few and far between' cases of true conversion are, and the almost unparalleled impenitence and hardness of sinners, we almost involuntarily exclaim, 'Has God forgotten to be gracious? or is the door of mercy closed?'

White, James, Review & Herald, September 8, 1853, Pages 65-70 - 1853

51. The Religious Telescope, of 1844, uses the following language: "We have never witnessed such a general declension of religion as at the present. Truly the church should awake and search into the cause of this affliction; for an affliction every one that loves Zion must view it. When we call to mind how 'few and far between' cases of true conversion are, and the almost unparalleled impenitence and hardness of sinners, we almost involuntarily exclaim, 'Has God forgotten to be gracious? or is the door of mercy closed?'" …Prof. Finney, editor of the Oberlin Evangelist, February 1844, says: "We have had the fact before our minds, that in general, the Protestant churches of our country" …The Christian Palladium for May15th, 1844, speaks to the following mournful strains: "In every direction we hear the dolorous sound, walfing upon every breeze of heaven."

Andrews, J. N., Review & Herald, March 6, 1855, Pages 185-187 - 1855

4. The Religious Telescope, of 1844, uses the following language: "We have never witnessed such a general declension of religion as at the present. Truly the church should awake and search into the cause of this affliction; for an affliction every one that loves Zion must view it. When we call to mind how 'few and far between' cases of true conversion are, and the almost unparalleled impenitence and hardness of sinners, we almost involuntarily exclaim, 'Has God forgotten to be gracious? or is the door of mercy closed?'"

White, James, Life Incidents, Page 237 - 1868

4. And a writer in the Religious Telescope testified: "We have never witnessed such a general declension of religion as at the present. Truly the church should awake and search into the cause of this affliction; for an affliction every one that loves Zion must view it. When we call to mind how 'few and far between' cases of true conversion are, and the almost unparalleled impenitence and hardness of sinners, we almost involuntarily exclaim, 'Has God forgotten to be gracious? or is the door of mercy closed?'"

White, Ellen, Great Controversy, Page 377 - 1911

52. "And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." …The word Babylon signifies confusion, and is derived from Babel, the place where God confounded the inhabitants of the earth. …A woman is the symbol of a church. Exe. xvi. …The church was represented as a chaste virgin espoused to Christ, 1 Cor. xi 2. …This word being the chosen term of the Holy Spirit to designate "that might city," …What constitutes the fall of Babylon…believing that the fall of Babylon is a moral fall. …The wine of this, is that with which the church has intoxicated the nations of the earth…false doctrine. …The merchants of Babylon are the great men of the earth. In the fold of the nominal church is to be found a large portion of the lawyers, doctors, politicians, and great men of the world. To succeed in business, to become honorable in society, or to rise to high offices in the nation, it is very important to make a profession of religion and to have a good and regular standing in the church. …To come nearer home, let us look at the various religious denominations in every place where they have sufficient wealth and strength to become popular. They must erect a splendid house of worship, and furnish it in the most expensive style; and the members of the church must dress in all the fashion and pride of life. Then they must have an eloquent man to preach smooth things to fashionable ears. The church which can outdo the other in these particulars, will succeed in securing the fashionable sinners of the place as permanent members of the congregation.

Andrews, J. N., Review & Herald, January 23, 1855, Pages 161-178. See also his reprints in book form 1860, Pages 46-48 - 1855

53. "And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, …that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." …The term Babylon, from Babel, where God confounded the language of men, signifies mixture, confusion. …It is here simply called "that great city." ..In Rev. XVII; 18, this same city is called a woman. …Evidently a moral fall…2 Tim. 3: 1-5. …The wine of this is that with which the church as intoxicated the nations of the earth…false doctrine.

White, James, Life Incidents, Pages 230-233 - 1868

5. The first angel was followed by a second, proclaiming, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." …The term Babylon, derived from Babel, and signifying confusion, is applied in Scripture to the various forms of false or apostate religion. …In Revelation 17, Babylon is represented as a woman, a figure which is used in the Scriptures as the symbol of a church. …Thus are represented those churches that cling to the doctrines and traditions of Rome and follow her worldly practices… Rulers, politicians, lawyers, doctors, merchants, join the church as a means of securing the respect and confidence of society, and advancing their own worldly interest. Thus they seek to cover all their unrighteous transactions under a profession of Christianity. The various religious bodies, re-enforced by the wealth and influence of these baptized worldings, make a still higher bid for popularity and patronage. Splendid churches, embellished in the most extravagant manner, are erected on popular avenues. The worshipers array themselves in costly and fashionable attire. A high salary is paid for a talented minister to entertain and attract the people. His sermons must not touch popular sins, but be made smooth and pleasing for fashionable ears. …2 Tim. 3: 2-7. …This cup of intoxication which she presents to the world, represents the false doctrines.

White, Ellen, Spirit of Prophecy, Pages 233-235 - 1884

5. In Revelation 14 the first angel is followed by a second proclaiming: "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" … The term "Babylon" is derived from "Babel," and signifies confusion. It is employed in Scripture to designate the various forms of false or apostate religion. In Revelation 17 Babylon is represented as a woman. …In the Bible the sacred and enduring character of the relation that exists between Christ and His church is represented by the union of marriage. …A profession of religion has become popular with the world. Rulers, politicians, lawyers, doctors, merchants, join the church as a means of securing the respect and confidence of society, and advancing their own worldly interest. Thus they seek to cover all their unrighteous transactions under a profession of Christianity. The various religious bodies, re-enforced by the wealth and influence of these baptized worldlings, make a still higher bid for popularity and patronage. Splendid churches, embellished in the most extravagant manner, are erected on popular avenues. The worshipers array themselves in costly and fashionable attire. A high salary is paid for a talented minister to entertain and attract the people. His sermons must not touch popular sins, but be made smooth and pleasing for fashionable ears. Thus fashionable sinners are enrolled on the church records, and fashionable sins are concealed under a pretense of godliness. (2 Tim. 3: 2-7). …This cup of intoxication, which she presents to the world represents the false doctrines that she has accepted as the result of her unlawful connection with the great ones of the earth.

White, Ellen, Great Controversy, Pages 381-390 - 1911

54. Mr. Hopkins, in a treatise on the millennium, says: "There is no reason to consider the antichristian spirit and practices confined to that which is now called the Church of Rome. The Protestant churches have much of antichrist in them, and are far from being wholly reformed from her corruptions and wickedness. …The line of separation between the godly and the irreligious fades out into a kind of penumbra, and zealous men on both sides are toiling to obliterate all differences between their modes of action and enjoyment."

White, James, Life Incidents, Pages 235, 240 - 1868

55. And Dr. Hopkins, in "A Treatise on the Millennium," declares; "There is no reason to consider the antichristian spirit and practice to be confined to that which is now called the Church of Rome. The Protestant churches have much of antichrist in them, and are far from being wholly reformed from … corruptions and wickedness." Samuel Hopkins, Works, volume 2, page 328. …"The line of separation between the godly and the irreligious fades out into a kind of penumbra, and zealous men on both sides are toiling to obliterate all difference between their modes of action and enjoyment."

White, Ellen, Great Controversy, Pages 384, 386 - 1911

56. Read Charles Beecher's work "The Bible a Sufficient Creed." …At the time of the first angel's message, the people of God were in Babylon; for the announcement of the fall of Babylon, and the cry 'Come out of her my people'"… It is certain that the people of God at the time of the preaching of the hour of his judgment were in all the popular churches. …2 Tim. 3: 1-5, "From such," says the apostle, "turn away."…we must heed the voice from heaven, "Come out of her, my people."

Andrews, J. N., April 3, 1855, Review & Herald, Pages 201-204. See also 1860 reprints - 1855

57. Said Charles Beecher, speaking of the Protestant churches…"The Bible a Sufficient Creed," delivered at Fort Wayne, Indiana, February 22, 1846. …Notwithstanding the spiritual darkness and alienation from God that exist in the churches which constitute Babylon, the great body of Christ's true followers are still to be found in their communion. …(2 Tim. 3: 1-5) …all the children of the Lord that remain in Babylon will heed the call; "Come out of her, My people."

White, Ellen, Great Controversy, Pages 388-390 - 1911


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