THIS IS THE LORD'S DOING.
By Raymond F. Cottrell
MORE than a quarter of a century ago a few souls had faith to believe, from the harmonious fulfillment of prophecy, that the time had come for the fulfillment of the last warning message to mankind, which had been foretold in prophecy in the beginning of the gospel age. Rev. 14: 9-12. The truths which they held were extremely unpopular. The world and the churches were unwilling to hear the doctrine of the soon coming of the Lord, and the Lord's Sabbath was despised as a Jewish institution: the people having so long trampled it under their feet, would not listen to an argument for its restoration. In short, everything stood against the truth, and the feeble band of those who believed and proclaimed it. Nothing looked more wild and visionary to the people in general than the belief that this work is the especial work of God for our time. But despite prejudice and opposition, the work has gone on and increased, so that its present proportions are like the stately oak compared with the acorn. And yet it is onward. Soon it will assume still more gigantic proportions. The message will swell, as we believed, into a loud voice, only to die away with the close of human probation. This work is not to be attributed to human power. "It is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." How solemn the thought that this last message is doing its fearful work! How awful the responsibility laid upon all to work in the Lord's harvest till the last sheaf is bound, "And joyfully borne from the harvest ground." Awake, my soul, to the duties of the present hour!