THE CLOSING DISPENSATION.
By N. W.
How few are aware that the evening shadows of this gospel dispensation are stretching across the world. As the sunset of the age approximates, time seems to speed away with a constantly accelerated swiftness. Prophecy and history give no uncertain warning that the crisis of ages impends. The index-finger on the dial-plate of heaven now nears the mysterious figure that marks the closing hour of Gentile times. The awe-inspiring future will soon unveil its solemn realities of judgment dooms and irreversible destinies of life or death eternal. The chief-like coming of our Lord for his precious jewels is near, very near. At some midnight or mid-day; at some dawning morn or dewy eve, after a very little while, the heavenly Bridegroom will come for his bride. That parousia will occur as suddenly as the lightning's shaft flits across the face of the storm cloud. In less time than the utterance of the shortest monosyllable will every grave sunder where one sleeps in Jesus. A learned professor says, "We have now arrived at the very borders of that period which is to be signalized by the winding up of that drama which has for ages been enacted in Christianity." A celebrated historian observes, "Modern history seems not only a step in advance of ancient history, but the last step. Modern society seems to bear marks that the fullness of times is come—that there will be no future history; and if it be the case, that we are living in the last age of the world's history; that no other race remains behind to perfect what we have neglected, to restore what we have ruined; then, indeed, the interest of modern history becomes most intense." In the gloaming of this evening twilight of time our lot is cast. The finishing up work of the centuries devolves upon the church of the now passing generation. Responsibilities as solemn as eternity weigh now upon every child of God. The last heir to a crown of glory will soon win the fadeless diadem. Some honored herald of the cross and kingdom will soon place the last repentant believer of the gospel beneath the waters of holy baptism. Some little church of the faithful and true will soon, and for the last time, place the emblems of the broken body and shed blood of a once crucified Redeemer upon the commemorative table. He is coming! Israel's hope and earth's restorer—will his words to us be words of welcome? Will time's closing hour find us among the faithful servants of the King of kings? He is coming! He that holdeth the keys of death and the grave. He is coming! He that crowns the heirs of glory and shares His eternal kingdom with the redeemed. He comes, and comes quickly! May it be in every heart to say—"Even so, come, Lord Jesus.—Restitution.