The Second Woe and Syrian Persecution
Bro. O. Davis writes from North Burwick, Me.: “We (self and family) are still striving to walk in the way of the commandments of God and faith of Jesus. To us it is our heavenly Father’s way to the kingdom of the saints. Three families about eight miles from us have come into the Sabbath, with whom we can occasionally meet. During a Sabbath afternoon spent with them a short time since, when a preacher that was in the fifty-four time was present, the Lord gave freedom and power to his truth, and conviction appeared to settle strongly upon him. May the Lord speed on his work. Living as we do considerably separated from those of like precious faith, we are often led to review the road that the Advent people have been led. And we think we can add our testimony to the correctness of our position as a body, when that position is compared with the word of God. I was very forcibly struck with the illustration of the ceasing of the second woe trumpet on the 11th of August 1840, as first pointed out by J. Litch, by the manner in which the recent persecution of the Christians in Syria was terminated or held in check. No sooner does the old spirit of the woe begin to manifest itself, than preparations are made to hold it in subjection. Who can question the ceasing of the woe when the Mohammedan power yields to the Christian? And thus it appears to me has been the case in the positions taken by the Advent people when they have humbly and prayerfully sought to be guided by the word of God. And although they may have at times gone forth tremblingly, yet light has shone upon their pathway, faith has been confirmed and hope has become lively. And are we not drawing new evidences of the truthfulness of our faith of a somewhat different character from those that we have been called thus far to experience; evidences found in the dragon spirit of the two-horned beast? O may we be prepared to meet them in the spirit of our Lord and Master! The language of Jesus under the Papal persecution was, “In your patience possess ye your souls.” “Here is the patience and faith of the saints.” Under the decree of the two-horned beast, “Here is the patience of the saints.” Shall we not need the oft repeated injunctions of the Lord to watch that we enter not into temptation: What I say unto you I say unto all, watch. May the Lord help us to watch, and not be found sleeping at his coming. We desire to be remembered by the Lord’s people, that we with them may be prepared for the things that are to come upon the earth and stand before the Son of man.”