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The Story of Redemption
their faith, and unite with those who had accepted a part of Chris-
tianity, it might be the means of their full conversion. That was a
time of deep anguish to the faithful followers of Christ. Under a
cloak of pretended Christianity, Satan was insinuating himself into
the church, to corrupt their faith and turn their minds from the word
of truth.
At last the larger portion of the Christian company lowered their
standard, and a union was formed between Christianity and pagan-
ism. Although the worshipers of idols professed to be converted, and
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united with the church, they still clung to their idolatry, only chang-
ing the objects of their worship to images of Jesus, and even of Mary
and the saints. The foul leaven of idolatry, thus introduced into the
church, continued its baleful work. Unsound doctrines, superstitious
rites, and idolatrous ceremonies were incorporated into her faith
and worship. As the followers of Christ united with idolaters, the
Christian religion became corrupted and the church lost her purity
and power. There were some, however, who were not misled by
these delusions. They still maintained their fidelity to the Author of
truth and worshiped God alone.
There have ever been two classes among those who profess to
be followers of Christ. While one class study the Saviour’s life and
earnestly seek to correct their defects and to conform to the Pattern,
the other class shun the plain, practical truths which expose their
errors. Even in her best estate the church was not composed wholly
of the true, pure, and sincere. Our Saviour taught that those who
willfully indulge in sin are not to be received into the church; yet
He connected with Himself men who were faulty in character, and
granted them the benefits of His teachings and example, that they
might have an opportunity to see and correct their errors.
But there is no union between the Prince of light and the prince
of darkness, and there can be no union between their followers.
When Christians consented to unite with those who were but half
converted from paganism, they entered upon a path which led farther
and farther from the truth. Satan exulted that he had succeeded in
deceiving so large a number of the followers of Christ. He then
brought his power to bear more fully upon them, and inspired them
to persecute those who remained true to God. None could so well
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understand how to oppose the true Christian faith as could those who