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Why do the Heathen Rage?

     These essays were written over a period of thirty years and originally appeared in more than sixty newspapers nationwide. The author, who chose to remain anonymous, was a prominent Christian businessman in the Atlanta area. He entitled his columns "Why do the Heathen Rage?" and used this question from Psalm 2 and Acts 4:25 as a basis to comment on the events of the day. He believed that Psalm 1 promised blessings to the faithful in Christ, but Psalm 2 and Acts 4:25 asked a critical question and answered it with a prophecy of cursings and judgments upon the heathen; those who rebelled against the laws of God.
     Truly a prophet in his own time, the author received thousands of letters from his readers. However, at times, newspapers would refuse to print his column or prefer to edit it because of his outspoken condemnation of evil in government, literature and individuals who supported unbiblical practices.
         "You will find here a keen insight on several scriptural passages concerning those who are departing from the truth of God's Word. While you may not agree with all of the author's beliefs, you will be awakened to a sense of contending for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

    Bob Hill, Editor
    Evangelical Review
TOPICAL INDEX
The Bible - God's Word
June 30, 1962
March 26, 1962
October 24, 1964
February 23, 1963
November 16, 1967

Applied Christianity
December 07, 1963
May 31, 1975
July 14, 1973
October 30, 1965

Morality: Social Issues and Sin
July 15, 1968
December 30, 1972
November 20, 1971
March 20, 1968

Government / Rulers
April 23, 1966
May 21, 1966
May 28, 1966
March 07, 1964
God and History
January 19, 1974
July 27, 1974
March 08, 1975
November 02, 1967

Hell and Judgement
May 19, 1962
January 04, 1964
March 31, 1962
April 13, 1974
July 06, 1963
March 08, 1969

General Themes
May 04, 1963
April 24, 1965
January 27, 1973
August 25, 1963
August 31, 1974
June 15, 1963
March 13, 1965
October 27, 1962
November 10, 1962


Morality: Social Issues and Sin

JULY 15, 1968

     In Jeremiah 6:16 we read:
         "Thus saith the Lord, stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk therein!'"
     Is not that the answer the "run-of-the-mill" church members and so-called Christians give the Lord today? The following article first appeared in the column on Nov. 24, 1962, Thanksgiving Season. We believe it can be helpful to you to "Remember all the way the Lord our God hath led our nation," and to be obedient to the above commands: "Stand in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein," to the end and we might find rest for our souls.
     "Democratic Institutions exist by reason of their virtue. If ever they perish it will be when you have forgotten the past, become indifferent to the present, and utterly reckless as to the future." This quotation was copied from the Monument of Thos. E. Watson on the Capitol grounds in Atlanta. Are our Democratic Institutions now headed for wreck and ruin on the rocks of socialism and communism? "Lord God of hosts, be with us yet, lest we forget, lest we forget!"

     (NOTE: Most of the following facts of history, etc., are taken from the Book "The Hand of God in History," written about one hundred years ago by Rev. Hollis Read, A.M.)
         "The Mohammedans," says M. Oelsner, "would have discovered America even centuries before Columbus, had not their fleet been wrecked in a tempest, after clearing the straits of Gibraltar." Is not this something for us to still remember, and for which to thank God?
         The great navigator Columbus is said to have been a diligent and devout student of prophecy, and he was actuated in no small degree in his venture westward, "by the hope he cherished of extending the Kingdom of Christ." And in the mind of his royal patroness (Isabella of Aragon), the conversion of the heathen to Christianity was an object "paramount to all the rest."
         The first discoverers of this continent were Roman Catholics, and America was taken possession of and made subject to Catholic governments. Nothing seemed more probable at one time than that France would be the owner of New England -- and these hills and valleys would have languished under the crucifix and the mitered priests, and groaned beneath the heavy rod of The Roman Pontiff -- even as has Mexico, Central and South America for hundreds of years! (It appears today as if we might be on our way back to superstitious and spiritual slavery!) "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty!" New England was early an object of desire of the French. As early as the year 1606, De Mont explored and claimed for France, the rivers, the coasts, and the bays of New England. The hostile savages first prevented their settlement. They did not yield their purpose. Three times in the following year the attempt was renewed. Twice they were driven back by adverse winds, and the third time wrecked at sea. Again did Pourtrincourt attempt the same enterprise, but was, in like manner, compelled to abandon the project. At a still later period, a French armament of forty ships of war, under the Duke D'Anville, was destined for destruction in New England. It sailed from Chebucto, in Nova Scotia, for the purpose.
         In the meantime, the pious people, apprised of their danger, had appointed a day of fasting and prayer, to be observed in all the churches. While Mr. Prince was officiating in Old South Church, Boston, on this fast day, and praying most fervently that the dread calamity might be averted, a sudden gust of wind arose so violently as to cause the clattering of the windows (till then, the day had been perfectly clear). The Reverend gentleman paused in his prayer, and looking around on his congregation with a countenance of hope, he again commenced, and with great devotional ardor, supplicated the Almighty to cause that wind to frustrate the object of their enemies. A great tempest ensued, in which the greater part of the French fleet was wrecked. The Duke and his principal general committed suicide, thousands were drowned, and many died of disease, and a small amount returned to France, without health and spiritless, and the enterprise was abandoned forever!
         "The first colony in North America, save Mexico, was a Protestant colony, planted by Caspar de Coligni, as a City of Refuge for Protestants. It was destroyed expressly as Protestant! Thus was North America baptized by Jesuit priests with Protestant blood; yet despite all the machinations of Rome, God has confirmed the covenant and made this land the asylum and home of the Protestants."

    Bancroft.
     There were many varieties and sects of the Protestants, but it was the Puritans that were chosen by God as the materials with which to rear the superstructure of religion and government in the New World. Before the arrival of the Pilgrims, a grant had been given and a colony had been in New England, called Plymouth. But this did not prosper. A new and modified patent was then granted to Lord Lenox and The Marquis of Buckingham. But no permanent settlement was made. It was reserved to the Puritans! Here should be nurtured, in the cradle of hardships, and perils from the savages, and from the wilderness, and sufferings manifold and grievous, a spirit which should nerve the moral muscle of the soul, and rear a soldiery of The Cross made up of steadier stuff, and animated by a purer spirit than the world had before known. The Pilgrims were the best men, selected from the best portion of the best nation on the fact of the earth.
     "The institutions of this country, both civil and religious, were cast in the mold of Puritanism. Had any other of the colonies been allowed to stand in this relation to the whole, how different would have been the cast of American liberty and religion! As it was, men of the most unbending integrity and untiring industry; men humble and unobtrusive, yet courageous and immovable at the post of duty; yielding when wrong, yet inflexible when right; plain and frugal, yet intelligent and liberal; men who had been nurtured in the school of persecution, and suffered the loss of all things, that they might breathe the uncontaminated air of freedom; men who hated oppression, abhorred ignorance and vice -- who were in their very souls, republicans and Christians -- these were the men, chosen out by sovereign Wisdom, to control the destinies of the New World. And they have done it.
     The enterprise and intelligence, the undying love of liberty, the religious spirit -- I may say, the population of our Puritan colonies, have spread themselves over the whole continent. And what is worthy of special remark, these only prosper in our country. You look in vain over the wide expanse of our territory to find thrift and prosperity, temporal and spiritual, except under the auspices of our Puritan influence. Who people our wide western domains, and plant there the institutions of learning and religion? Who found our colleges and seminaries, publish our books, teach our youths, sustain our benevolent enterprises, and go on pagan lands to make wretchedness smile, and ignorance to speak wisdom? By whose skill and industry rolls the railroad cars over the length and breadth of our great land, and whiten the ocean with canvass? Who, if not the sons of the Pilgrims, nerved with the spirit of the Pilgrims? Tell me in what proposition, in any section of our country, the people are leavened with the leaven imported in the Mayflower, and I can tell you in what proportion they are enterprising, prosperous, moral and religious people.
         "Compare Massachusetts and Mexico. Mexico was colonized just one hundred years before Massachusetts. Her first settlers were the noblest spirits of Spain in her Augustan Age; the epoch of Cervantes, Cortes, Pizzaro, Columbus, Gonzalvo de Cordova, Cardina Ximines, and the great and good Isabella. Massachusetts was settled by the poor Pilgrims of Plymouth, who carried with them nothing but their own hardy virtues and indomitable energy. Mexico, with a rich soil, and adapted to the production of everything which grows out of the earth, and possessing every metal used by man -- Massachusetts with a sterile soil and uncongenial climate, and no single article of transportation but ice and rock! How have these blessings, profusely given by Providence, been improved on the one hand, and obstacles overcome on the other? What is now the respective condition of the two countries? In productive industry, widespread diffusion of knowledge, public institutions of every kind, general happiness and continually increasing prosperity; in letters, arts, morals, religion -- in everything which makes a people great, there is not in the world, and there was never in the world, such a commonwealth as Massachusetts. And Mexico -- what is she?
     The object of the brother who wrote the above about a hundred years ago was not to disparage our neighbors to the South, but rather to remind North America "Lest we forget," as well as to bear witness to all men that it is "The fear of the Lord, and obedience to His Commandments" that makes individuals and nations strong, virile, and blessed of The Almighty. "And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee --" Deut. 8:2. "Lord God of hosts, be with us yet, lest we forget, lest we forget!" Lord God of hosts, we have forgotten, have mercy upon us, that we may repent and bring forth fruit meet for repentance "He that hath eyes to see, let him see.""


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Morality: Social Issues and Sin

DECEMBER 30, 1972

     The late great Evangelist "Billy Sunday" said, "Put a pole cat in the parlor: which changes first? Parlor or pole cat?" He did not give the answer to this problem, probably thinking all would have sense enough to figure it out! Surely there has been tremendous change in Churches since his day! Could it be caused due to Spiritual Pole Cats getting in the Church! The 10th chapter of Leviticus tells of "the fire of God" flashing up and burning to death two of The High Priest Aaron's sons because of their offering "Strange Fire" in a worship service!
     In the 5th chapter of Amos God tells His people He "hates" and "despises" their offerings of worship and will not accept them. There is nothing to their worship -- except offense -- unless they rise up and put away evil, crime, lawlessness, etc. with which their land is filled, and with which their land is defiled. Verses 12-24:
         "I hate, I despise your feast days, . . . Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your meat offerings I will not accept them; neither will I regard the peace offerings . . . Take thou away from Me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. But let judgement run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream!"
     The article in this column two weeks ago told about the writer's effort to obey this command of God to "Let judgement run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream" in his contact and experience with a hold-up man. Quote: I told Mr. Hold-up if I had the responsibility and power of the law in my hands, his body would probably now be in his grave, and his evil spirit -- unless he truly repented, and it don't take long to repent -- would be in hell with his "daddy, the devil!" For with two witnesses, or definite proof of his guilt he would have been shot at sunrise or sunset, whichever was nearer! Genuine Christianity doesn't tolerate evil! One branch of Christianity is charged by God Almighty to take vengeance for Him and do away with evil against law and order. Read the 13th chapter of Romans. The Bible not only says "Resist the Devil," but it also says "Give no place to the Devil!"
     What do you think? If men knew this was the law in Atlanta, and knew and believed it would be promptly and faithfully enforced, would it not do away with hold-up pests? If it was known that this was the law regarding murder, rape, homosexuality (crimes for which God Almighty's Law demands the death penalty), and men believed and knew it would be promptly and faithfully enforced, would it not cleanse the city of murder, rape, homosexuality, etc., etc.! Would you like to live in a city, a state, a nation where these abominations have been stamped out? I would! I expect to in due time.
     Abraham, The Friend of God, The Father of The Faithful, "looked for a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God." At least three times God promises that "the earth shall be full of his knowledge and glory of The Lord as the waters cover the sea." Where will you be then in view of your present attitude, and actions, and witnessing concerning the abominations that fill the earth, almost as the waters do the seas? Your present attitude, and actions, end witnessing concerning the Abomination of "Taking the Name of The Lord thy God in vain" by claiming to be a Christian and remaining a member of His Church; concerning Sabbath Desecration, dishonoring of parents, and the abominations of murder, rape, homosexuality, stealing, covetousness, etc.?
     May another question be asked for your consideration? Can one be a Christian that rejects Capital Punishment? Was not Christ's Crucifixion on the Cross Capital Punishment? Though innocent He offered Himself to die for the guilty! "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son" -- gave Him for Capital Punishment that God's righteous and holy Law might be carried out: "the soul that sinneth shall die" -- "that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish but have everlasting life." "Believeth in Him," that He substituted His Sinless Self and took Capital Punishment that my Sinful Self might live eternally a redeemed soul!
         "I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep Thy commandments." Psalm 119: 59-60.

         "Ye that love the Lord, hate evil." Psalm 97:10.

         "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not grievous." 1st John 5:3.
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Morality: Social Issues and Sin

NOVEMBER 20, 1971

         "Man, when left to himself, is half fiend and half brute!"
         Bishop Hall.

         "Man, when left to himself, is a motley mixture of the beast and the devil!"
         William Law.
     The dread foes of man are not belligerent circumstances, but the riotous passions - the leopard of incontinence, the lion of violence, the wolf of avarice. Incontinence means "lack of restraint, especially undue indulgence of sexual passions; licentiousness, etc." Great nations and empires of history as a result of this sin have rotted from within, decayed, perished. Is not our great land in danger of the same curse? "Chastity is driven away as an enemy by all men, like a snake!" Is not the "lion of violence" and the "wolf of avarice" back of and the cause of riots, strikes, etc.? It is said that a wolf is hungrier after food than before!
     "A man may foretell as plainly as can be what will become of us, if we grow indifferent and lukewarm in repressing evil. Make it a shame to see men bold in profaneness, and God will bless you. Be confident that our liberty and prosperity depend upon reformation -- if not, what difference is there between a man and a beast?
      "Beware of making laws in the face of God -- telling The Almighty you will meet all His Dispensations, and stay things, whether He will, or no.
         "God will curse me, if I put personal interests above duty!" -- Oliver Cromwell. (Consider this last statement remembering Pontius Pilate: "Suffered under Pontius Pilate" because of conflict of interest!).
     Devoutly thankful ought we to be for the gift of great and good men. They are God's noblest work -- For nothing should the people of God more devoutly pray than that their great men may be good men. (If we had been doing that during the past few decades, do you reckon we would today have a Supreme Court such as is; one that has taken away from our schools and children, God's Book, The Bible, and The Lord's Prayer? I think not. Or, we would have such men in authority over us that let them get by with it? I think not.) One honest statesman -- one great, sanctified, devout, Christian man in the Senate or Cabinet of a nation, or at its head -- is worth more to a nation than all the riches of El Dorado, and is a surer defense than all her armies and navies!
     Every young man should strive by the best possible improvement of his talents and opportunities, to make himself a great and a good man. This is a true and noble ambition. A great and a good man is the noblest work of God . . . strive then, my young friend, to fit yourself for the times in which you live.
     God give us preachers, teachers, and students that put "the study of their own hearts" -- above the study of their books. "Search the Scriptures" for it is the mirror by which God reveals to us our hearts:
         "For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart," 1st Samuel 16:7.

         "For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away; but the Word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you." 1st Peter 1-24-25.

         "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world, and the world passeth away. And the lust thereof. But he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." 1st John 2:16-17.
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Morality: Social Issues and Sin

MARCH 20, 1968

     The subject of this article is suggested by the 1st verse of the 40th chapter of Isaiah: "Comfort ye, comfort Ye my people, saith your God." In our judgment, "all God's children" are conservatives unless perhaps they are "babes," or "lambs," lost, strayed, or stolen by leftists or devils!
     In the Presidential campaign last year Senator Goldwater asked one of his opponents to put down in writing what the word conservative, extremist, or ultra-right meant to him. For our own benefit and profit we undertook to do this and came up with the following: "Ultra-right means Perfection, Holiness. Extremist is the pursuit of Perfection and Holiness is God-likeness!" The Bible says: "Follow peace with all men, and Holiness, without which no man shall see The Lord," Hebrews 12:14. "Without which no man shall see The Lord!" We sure do want to "see the Lord" and behold His Glory when we are through this life and enter Eternity!
     I have seen too much of the devil already down here below, too much of him in our own experience and life as we have sought to obey the commands: "Resist the devil, give no place to the devil!" In The Sermon on The Mountain Christ called on His followers to be "ultra-extremists," or so we interpret His Command: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect!" Matthew 5:48. However, if ever we try to appraise our own accomplishments along this line we think of the words of Job in 9:20: "If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me; if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse."
     When the children of Israel left the bondage of Egypt there went up with them a "mixed multitude." Later this "mixed multitude" fell a lusting and caused much trouble -- their "lust" appeared to be very contagious! In our judgment the Church today is badly afflicted with "a mixed multitude which have fallen a lusting!" Instead of using "discipline" and getting rid of them, it appears we are trying to keep them contented by "feeding their lust!" Christ ordered "discipline" in His Church and gave grounds for excommunication. Christ exercised "discipline" when He made a whip of cords and drove some wretches out of His Father's House! -- "The lapse of Church discipline was a certain symptom of social and political anarchy," said an English Historian as he looked across the centuries of the experiences of that people.
     "Judgment must begin at the House of God!" Last week we called attention to the visitation of God's wrath on account of corruption in the city of Jerusalem. It was indeed terrible; no mercy or pity shown to old or young, maids, little children, and women! It is so terrible we prefer to just quote from God's Word in the 9th chapter of Ezekiel:
         "And the Lord said unto him, go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And of the others [those with destroying weapons] He said in mine hearing, go ye after him through the city, and smite; Let not your eye spare, neither have pity; slay utterly old and young, both maids and little children, and women; But come not near any upon whom is the mark; And begin at My Sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the House!"
     Remember The Word of The Lord in Isaiah 55: 8-9:
         "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith The Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."
     Doubtless, among the conservatives there are many of the "lusting mixed multitude." In spite of this we think there is good cause for comfort and encouragement in the conservative and rightists camps. There is still great cause for "sighing and crying" and getting God's Mark on you in view of the abominations that be done in the midst of our cities, land, and world, beginning at the House of God, yet there is cause for gladness and comfort when you consider the great number of organizations that have arisen in recent time whose object appears to be to obey The Word of God found in Jeremiah 6:16:
         "Thus saith The Lord, stand in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way. And walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk therein."
     Generally speaking we take the position the Conservatives are those who believe the Old Paths of The Bible and our forefathers are The Good Ways, and the good things this Country is enjoying today are the fruits of their faith in God's ways, and obedience. On the other hand, the liberals and leftists are those who say: "We will not walk therein." Hence the crime, troubles and vexations promised to the heathen "Who rage against God, His King, Laws and Reign." Psalm 2:4-5. The fact that over twenty-six million responded to Senator Goldwater's call last year to return to the "Old Paths" is cause for Comfort, Rejoicing, and Encouragement. We believe that number has, and is increasing in spite of "The Raging of the Heathen" -- if not mistaken, some of them have admitted it. If correct, it is due to the blessings of God in the hearts of His people, and there is cause for thanksgiving. Comfort ye the Conservatives!
     Judgment began at The House of God with all except those who had God's Mark on their forehead! Have you noticed in recent days accounts of mobs issuing out from Churches, Houses dedicated for the worship and promulgation of the Gospel of the Cross, and marching forth to defy legally constituted city, county and state authority, when they well know it will foment discord, strife and ill will. The Bible says to the Christian, why do you not rather suffer yourself to be wronged or defrauded, rather than promote discord? Do you think such folks, regardless of what they profess, have God's Mark on them? Our witness is that they do not, for the Christian is called upon to suffer, suffer, bear the Cross, and to endure suffering and wrong treatment even as Christ did when crucified!
     In God's Name, let us suggest that colored and white better be more concerned about whether you are going to spend Eternity in the blessing of Heaven, or in the fires of Hell, than about the questionable right to vote! We say a "questionable right" because of the conviction that there are myriads of white and colored who are not qualified to vote on account of lack of character, integrity, decency, and no telling what else! In nearly every election the writer questions his own qualifications to vote on some of the matters on account of ignorance. Usually he skips such things and doesn't vote on them unless he feels he can obtain advice from parties who have the good of the community at heart, and not some political or other kind of self interest. "It is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment!" Every man must give account of himself unto God!



W. M. Religious InfoNet ¤ Box 456 ¤ Forest Lake, MN 55025
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