The Inferno at Waco, Texas
David Koresh, the leader of a cult and self-styled Messiah, perished, along with most of his followers, when the building which had been set up as the cult’s headquarters was set on fire. The tragedy, in which 25 children along with 61 adults were burned to death, was heart-rending. Only very few escaped from the burning compound. America has been the home of many cults, and this one was no exception. Followers, however, had been recruited in Britain, mainly in the Manchester area and from the Seventh Day Adventists. Most of these have perished in the flames at Waco. What need there is that people throughout the land should be warned against the many soul-destroying cults which are abroad in our day. Satan is ever active to ruin souls for eternity. How solemn is the end of such as forsake the way of truth and righteousness!
Anglo-Catholics and Rome
Because of the decision by the Church of England to admit women into the ministry, many Anglo-Catholics are seeking entrance to the Church of Rome. While the Roman Catholic Church is ready to receive them, it has been announced, after consultations with Rome, that the Roman Catholic Church is willing to receive them on condition that they accept all the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church including the supremacy of the Pope. Already the Social Security Minister Ann Widdecombe, has been received into the Roman Catholic Church with a great fanfare of trumpets at a service in Westminster Cathedral and a mass at the House of Commons crypt chapel. The latter is said to have had the full cooperation of the Anglican authorities. The priest conducting the service said that there was “joy in that a pilgrim is responding to the prompting of an authentic call of the Holy Spirit.” What a delusion! How accurately does the Roman Catholic Church correspond with the picture painted of her in Holy Writ. “For this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thess. 2: 11,12. No doubt many others will follow the lead given to them and enter the Roman Catholic Church, swallowing all its heresies and delusions on the way.
Foster Parents
The rules guarding the adoption of children are very strict, and one would expect that the rules for fostering children should be so also. A government review stated that the interests of children should always come first, before the interests of those who adopt or foster them. A Government minister said that while for the vast majority of adopted children it was a good thing to have two parents in a stable long-term relationship, yet he did not think it right completely to rule out homosexuals for adoption, though it should only happen in exceptional circumstances. It is deplorable to think that a minister of the Crown would speak in this way. Now Hampshire County Council has given permission to a lesbian couple to become foster parents for children under six. It is hardly believable how low the nation has sunk morally when such persons are counted suitable for foster parents. What need the nation has of a moral renovation. This, however, we cannot look for until there is a spiritual awakening in the land.
Teaching of Morality in Schools
The National Curriculum Council has brought out a discussion document on morality in schools. It is thought that too little is done to set standards of behaviour and it suggests that school values should promote honesty, integrity, respect, consideration for others, trust, personal responsibility and self-discipline. All this is very good, but on what basis are such things to be taught? Is it on the basis of the law of God? We hardly think so. “Lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them?” Outside of the school what standards are the children to follow? Surely those which they find their parents exemplifying, or the standards set by the media. What kind of standards are these? Hardly those of high moral value. What then is to be done? It is all too evident that no half measures will do. The message to the Church of Ephesus suits our condition well: “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works.” Until we are brought to acknowledge as a people how far we have departed from our God, what hope is there of any renovation in the life of the people, young or old.