A SIGN OF THE TIMES by Robert F. Cottrell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 4, 1862

A SIGN OF THE TIMES.

By Robert F. Cottrell

“THE DONATION PARTY TO MR. RULERSON, IN BERGEN.—Mr. J. H. Parish, of Bergin, sends us the following:

“The committee of arrangements are desirous of tendering you their thanks for the notice given of the donation for the benefit of T. Rulerson and family, which occurred at the residence of Dr. S. W. Gleason, on last Friday evening.

“The donation was a signal success, as you will see when I state that the number of people present was four hundred and fifty, and the net receipts nearly one hundred and fifty dollars.

“At four o’clock A. M., the musicians gave notice to select partners for the last dance, after which three cheers went up for the Stars and Stripes that decorated the hall (a barn 40x60)—and the party dispersed; all admitting that Friday evening, Jan. 17th, 1862, would be long and pleasantly remembered.”

The above is a mere specimen of the hundreds of the festivals of Belial which are got up, in these last days, under the garb of religion, and professedly for the support of the preaching of the gospel. All classes are invited, and the lovers of pleasure of all descriptions commingle, attracted by the unholy inducements thus offered. Here the evil servant, who says in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming, finds ample opportunity to eat and to drink with the drunken. Matt. xxiv, 48–51. “Come ye,” say the blind watchmen—the shepherds that cannot understand—who look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter, “Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to-morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.” Isa. lvi, 10–12. Who can suppose that the age of Noah equaled the present in feasting and revelry?

Is it not time for the servants of God to cry aloud and spare not, to show the people of God their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins?

R. F. COTTBELL.