Our Prospect by H. I. Farnum

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 5, 1865

Our Prospect.

By H. I. Farnum

During the long ages that have elapsed since this fair world of ours was first blighted by sin, many good people—God's jewels—have lived and wrought upon it. Of myriads of them there is now no earthly trace or record; yet they trod the same world that we are treading, they accepted and rejoiced in the wonderful provisions made for a guilty race, they sank into death, and the waves of oblivion covered them.

Yet their hope was a glorious one. They could look down through the dim vista of years to the resurrection morning, knowing that in their flesh they should then see God.

"What though they gleam unseen below, Or lie in slumbering worth, An eye unseen beholds them all, And loves his gems of earth. "Not always mid the wreck of time Shall God's own jewels lie, His own right hand shall gather them, To grace his throne on high."

Of others, the Bible gives us a brief history, and some of their writings are left for our instruction. As they saw through the prophetic glass, the completion of the plan of salvation, embodying the renewal of our earth to its primeval glory, their whole being seemed elated and filled with praise and adoration to the Great Architect of so wonderful a work. Well might they rejoice, and at last calmly lay their armor by, to slumber in the embrace of mother earth for ages. Theirs was a prospect replete with glory and immortality, for they knew that a crown of life was waiting for them.

The Christian martyrs looked forward with joyful anticipation to the "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory," and unflinchingly yielded up their lives in the service of Christ. Theirs was a bright and beautiful hope. They knew that He who regardeth the sparrow, would not forget them in their last fall, but would bring them again from the land of the enemy.

But what shall we say of ourselves and the prospect before us? Do we ever think the road is long? the darkness thick? the trials heavy? Oh, let us look up and remember that no long ages of sin and human misery loom up before us. No weary years of Egyptian bondage or Babylonian captivity await the people of God now. No dark ages of Papal misrule are before us, during which the good and meek must fall beneath the iron heel of the oppressor. Ah, no! nothing of this kind meets our view, as we anxiously look forward.

But we know by the sure word of prophecy that is shining with a pure clear light amid the moral darkness of this degenerate age, that earth's long career of sin and death, is almost done. He whose right it is, will soon "come and reign." The myriads of pardoned ones, now hid in the earth, like pearls in the ocean, will soon "awake and sing." Jesus will dress them in "white robes," and bid them enter the mansions prepared for them. The weary weight of care will soon be lifted from the faithful, toil-worn, pilgrim, and bright immortality forever dissipate the trials of earth. What though the refining fires lie in the little space before us? Jesus says, "My grace is sufficient for thee,"—that is enough.

Youthful reader, does the world look bright and beautiful to you, radiant in the sunlight of these lovely summer days? Is it sometimes difficult for you to realize that it is groaning beneath the accumulated sin and curse of six thousand years, and is so soon to lay aside its soiled garments? But we know that the sun that shines so brilliantly to-day, will be shaded by angry storms. The gay sweet flowers will soon droop and fade, or wither at the north wind's breath, and alas! other forms as bright and blooming as these fade and wither too.

But oh, this changing world will not long be our abode. We look but a step forward and behold "our home in Heaven," and there the beautiful new earth, fairer than when it first came from the land of its Maker. No storms will ever gather over it. No blight or decay, will ever reach its immortal beauties. The new earth will have no graves hiding the loved and cherished. No sad memories will then imbitter the heart. But life and immortality will be stamped upon all. Is not this a glorious prospect? a beautiful hope?

Other hopes cheer for a moment, and then fade like sunset clouds, or vanish like the mirage of the desert, but our hope is built upon the changeless word of God, and cannot fail. Therefore we lift up our heads and rejoice, knowing that our redemption draws near.

H. I. Farnum. Deerfield, Steele Co., Minn.