"...of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off." [Hosea 8:4 ]
Sad indeed is the above passage--and the more so, because we have seen such a tragic repetition of it in our own days.
Oh what earthly-mindedness, what indulging of the flesh, what sinful extravagance--are now seen among professing Christians today!
Yet as great as the sin of the people is--far greater is that of most of the preachers, who, instead of warning, admonishing, rebuking, and setting before their people an example of sobriety and contentment--criminally remain silent upon the crying sins of their hearers, while they themselves encourage the reckless indulgence of worldly lusts.