An Interesting Matter

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 6, 1909

An Interesting Matter

IN view of all that is said in the Word of God relative to the second coming of Christ, it ought not to be considered a strange thing that a company of ministers should find the topic an interesting study. However, the St. Louis Globe-Democrat of April 6, gives considerable space to a ministers' meeting in that city, at which the second coming of Christ was the theme of discussion. The report states that although the ministers held varying views, all agreed that the matter was very interesting. There were some who voiced the fear that if missionaries gave much attention to the doctrine and its teaching, there would be a slackening of missionary endeavor. It seems indeed strange that such religious teachers should not have learned from the Master's own declaration that the work of the missionary is to prepare the way for that very event. “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24:14. There is no better business for the messengers of the King than preaching the gospel of the kingdom soon to come. It would be an anomaly indeed if it should prove that the Master had left a work for his ministers to do which would interfere with missionary work on the part of those who engage in it. A good testimony upon this point was given by Dr. Taylor during the discussion. On the request of some one, he had begun looking up matter on the subject of the second coming of Christ, with a view to preaching a sermon upon it. He confessed having found the subject so fascinating that instead of one sermon, he had preached a series of eleven sermons upon that topic. He declared it to have been a coincidence that from that time a deeper spiritual interest began in his church, which still continued. But such a development was only a natural result of such preaching.