How Long Will It Be? by Jos. Clarke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 20, 1869

How Long Will It Be?

By Jos. Clarke

“WHAT would you do if time should continue twenty years longer?” said an inquisitive person to an Adventist not long since. “I would still look for the coming of Christ more than ever,” said the Adventist, “for by that time, if time should continue so long, there would be far greater evidences of his coming than at present.”

The present movement, under the third message, loses none of its interest by the lapse of time; every month adds to its weight, and increases its strength and force; and like the unique march of Israel through the desert, it is best understood after its experience. In sullen silence, those strong men sat in their tents, week after week, month after month, protesting against the long delay, and cursing the hand that held them motionless and passive. Almost in sight of Canaan, and only a few days’ march from Egypt, with only a single day’s rations in advance, and dependent on a constant miracle for this, as well as for their clothing, with no opportunity for accumulating wealth, their detention was to them a mystery, a problem, a dark dispensation, a terrible misfortune.

But the facts rightly understood by those who walked in harmony with God’s providence, justified God in his dealings with Israel in the wilderness; and such men as Moses, and Joshua, and Caleb, had good employment in the wilderness, did not feel at all uneasy, nor accuse God, but improved their time, were grateful for manna, and lived to see the promised land.

Jos. Clarke.