Musings by M. W. Howard

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 26, 1865

Musings.

By M. W. Howard

"The shadows lift— *From my waked spirit airily and swift; And I could paint the bow* Upon the bended heavens—around me play Colors of such bright divinity to-day."

Who can tell why is this? that at times there should be as it were a blank, a pall, resting upon the mind, unfitting it for action. Then all at once the vail seems lifted, or as the poet has it

"The shadows lift From the waked spirit airily and swift."

The fancy has full play, and without effort comes forth a pen or pencil sketch.

It has been said that the gifts of genius are intermittent. And who of earth's gifted ones, have not at times realized this? One of those, or rather two, who in their work were so united that it was more like one, when asked what they did when, as they had just expressed, "the shadows rested on them sometimes for weeks together," replied, "We kneel down and pray." And in this answer lurks the secret of that power, we call "the gifts of genius." It is given of God.—Not always for the asking; for all the gifted ones do not recognize the giving hand of God in what they are enabled to do. But there are weak ones, who feel that they are but as clay in the hands of the potter,—perchance to be molded for some use, and when so, sees that not only the ability to perform, but the needed leisure are alike, God-given. Reader, was it ever thus with thee? Just now I feel the "shadows lifting," and my mind reverts to a tragic scene, witnessed a few nights ago. At early bedtime, the stillness of the evening hour was broken by hurrying feet, running through our streets, and the startling cry of fire! fire! fire! resounded on every side! Then came the "clamor and the clang of bells" and every dwelling seemed to pour its inmates into the streets, to hasten to a nearer proximity to the raging element. And what a sight was there? A fire that seemingly a few pails of water might have quenched when first discovered, had gained the mastery, and spread as if by magic to the surrounding buildings and tenements, which stood in rear of a row of those imposing structures, which, as in other towns and cities, always front on Broadway and Main streets.

Busy workers were there with the appliances for throwing water; yet the fiery demon raged on, for four long hours before it was in the least controllable. When it was found that one row of blocks was on fire, and must inevitably be burned, consternation indeed filled all. A busy work went on, as store after store was stripped of everything movable and carried across the streets, and there heaped in promiscuous piles. In shops more remote, a hurried packing was going on, for who could tell but before the morning light the entire street might not be wrapped in flame!

When all that was movable which was in immediate danger had been secured, there came an interval of suspense to the eager, watching crowds, who stood, walked, or were seated, as opportunity offered them, to see. Suspense, for, for the time nothing could be done, but to steadily pour the streams of water where it would do most effectual service; while the angry flames all undaunted by it, would rush down a stairway curving around a corner, forking out their fiery tongues as if in greedy search for everything combustible. Crash! crash! as the beautiful front show windows fell upon the pavement below; then a huge dense volume of smoke rolled upward amid the lurid glare, as it issued from some resinous substance; again, an explosion of the heated pent up gases in an adjoining store made every heart to quake, and sorrowfully to ask, "Where will the conflagration end?" Water! water! blessed gift from God. The flames began to yield, and with relieved hearts one after another begin to turn their feet homewards. How many carried with them the lessons that might be taught?

Seated upon the arm of an office sofa which extended an inviting seat as it stood there among the piles of saved goods, I gazed and pondered. My mind was carried forward to that terrific hour, to which the scene before me bore but the faintest comparison,—of which Inspiration hath said, "But the heavens and earth which are now kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." 2 Pet. iii, 7. "Behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven." Mal. iv, 1.

How many do really believe that there is a day coming when "every man's work shall be tried by fire," a day "when the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also (shall melt) and the works therein be burned up." I know that this is assented to theoretically by all believers of the Bible, for it cannot well be evaded. But how few are living as if such a day is hastening onward, that day when all are to be individually tested by "the records of a book unscanned by mortal eyes, but which has been made up in figures of living light."

Passing the locality of the fire a few days afterwards, I noticed in the charred rubbish a ponderous safe, too large for a hasty removal from its position in an upper story, so its valuables had been removed and it had been left to its fate. And it had gone through the fire but little burned. Again I thought, at that greater conflagration that is coming, there are to be those who shall escape. And who would not desire to be of that number? Yes, who does not mean, or hope, somehow to be among the saved in that day? But what saith the scriptures? "Escape as for thy life!" Gen. xix, 17. Yes! now, "escape as for thy life." The words have all their first significance to you; to me, to-day—a place of refuge to-day is offered, we are not sure of the same opportunity to-morrow. But even if we were, is it wise to delay a matter which it is so all-important that we perform?

"Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold the destruction of the wicked," the Psalmist is made to exclaim. Then surely there are to be those who are to see all this. I know how prone mankind are, not quite perhaps to explain away the destruction of the wicked, but what amounts to nearly the same thing. But with the word of God in our hands, none need be at a loss to determine, not only the manner of this destruction, but the period of its accomplishment. Indeed the one passage, 2 Thess. i, 7-10 completely settles this point. Look at it now if any are skeptical, and ponder its import well. Oh, who will not now like Noah, "by faith being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved by fear, prepare for the saving of thy house?" Heb. xi, 7. Let it not suffice us for ourselves to "escape for our lives," but let each seek to induce others "to seek the Lord while he may be found;" for he is our ark and safety in that deluge of fire, that is surely coming upon our earth.

M. W. Howard.

Malone, N. Y.