Breaking the Gates of Brass
By W. A. S.
The Lord is visibly working in the world to cut short his work in righteousness. We see changes going on before our eyes that should call for praise and thanksgiving, and most earnest effort. Just now the cable brings a forecast of the proposed constitution for Russia, in which are the following religious liberty clauses:— Every subject is allowed to express his opinion without fear of punishment in the press or in speech, in all matters political or otherwise. Every citizen is free to choose his own religion; and all sects, Christian or others, are to have equal rights. This is not all mere talk we may well believe; for already the growth of the religious liberty sentiment in Russia has brought about changes of great interest to us. By a postal card from the Caucasus, Elder Loebsack sends the greetings of believers there, with the word:— Our hearts are full of joy that the Lord gives us grace to love him and to love one another in this one cause. The time has come when the Lord is opening our land. Eight hundred and forty-four different sects are let out of the prison-house, and may return from their wandering and exile. The government has issued circulars to arrest no one on account of his religion. The Lord speaks now, saying, Enter in, and let none hinder. God help us to enter the open door. Now we can say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your God shall come.” In the last twelve months six hundred and fifty-six souls in our land have accepted the last message. To God be all the praise.
These events from day to day mean much to us. There is delay no longer. Nothing shall halt the onward march of this message. “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.” Ps. 107:15, 16. W. A. S.