The Truth and its Defenders.
By A. P. Lawton
WHEN I see the weight of literature and talent arrayed against prophecy, I should be disheartened were it not for the unwavering faith I have in that sure word, spoken by holy apostles and prophets. When I reflect that truth crushed to the ground will rise again, I have no fears. More are they that are for us, than those that are against us. We are accused of being uncharitable, troublers of Israel, croakers, evil prophets, and self-righteous. So was Elijah, Micaiah, and a host of others. The wicked king said that he hated Micaiah, because he always prophesied evil; and Elijah had to flee for his life. The truths they preached were unpopular. I feel sad when I think how few will forego a brief popularity for truths lasting as eternity and unperceived by the mass. Let the faint-hearted take courage. If our eyes were not holden, we might see horses and chariots sent to protect us, if need be. A little in the future, the enemies of these truths, so much despised by them, will see those who live them out, clothed with the whole armor, one able to chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight. In a little while, God will arise and shake terribly the earth, and the sinners shall be shaken out of it. Read Bro. White's articles, and the prophecies, and you will see what will become of the false shepherds who preach smooth things because the people love to have it so, and neglect to give them warning. Many, when too late, will understand what they have lost. Eternal life lost, eternal death, from which there will be no resurrection, gained. Then they will knock, but, like the foolish virgins, will gain no admittance. Then the prayer for rocks and mountains to cover them will not be answered. They will stand forth to the gaze of congregated worlds, of angels who would have helped them, and of God, whose law they dared to break, and hear the awfully solemn truth, "Ye knew your duty, but ye did it not."