OUR TIMES by Clarence Santee

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 3, 1901

OUR TIMES.

By Clarence Santee

ELDER CLARENCE SANTEE.

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come,” etc. 2 Peter 3:9, 10.

The Lord is speaking of the coming of the day of the Lord, but says that some will scoff at the idea, while others will be saying, “My Lord delayeth His coming.” “He does not say that Christ will not come; . . . He is removing from the minds of others the conviction that the Lord is coming quickly.”—Special Testimony, No. 4, page 9.

“Time has continued a few years longer than they expected, therefore they think that it may continue a few years more, and in this way their minds are being led from present truth, out after the world.”

This is the condition at the present time, yet there have never been so many signs of the approach of the end itself as we see now.

In the sad events of the recent past in our government, issues have been brought to the surface that will of necessity call in question the right of free speech, and the extent to which one may go in individual liberty, when that liberty is exercised in opposition to the masses. In the measures that have seemed to the majority necessary to restrain anarchy and lawlessness, there are elements which, if placed in unsafe hands, would work untold hardship to those who “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” To-day the Lord is holding the “winds,” but the evidences are many that they are about to break forth.

To illustrate the unthinking haste and excitement that may to-day sway vast multitudes to deeds of violence, I will cite the case of a poor mental wreck of a man who had been but a few weeks from an asylum for the insane. He was allowed to attend a large gathering in a park in my home city, where resolutions against anarchy were discussed and passed with a hearty American enthusiasm. I am told that this unfortunate man, realizing that something that caused excitement was being discussed, would repeat any word that others used. When the hearers were called upon to respond in favor of the resolutions, there was a hearty “yes,” he also saying “yes.” And when it was asked if there were any to say “no,” he repeated the word “no.” Then, before the mental condition of this unfortunate man could be made known, there was a rush for him with cries of “Kill him,” “hang him;” and before officers could reach him, the man was nearly killed. Men, women, and children joined in the cry and rush. One woman drew a hat pin, and strove to kill him with it. When the condition of the bruised and bleeding man was known, some were ashamed, while others justified themselves by pleading “loyalty.”

There seems to be no anchor to-day which holds the fierce passions of the human heart. Brethren, when once these passions are stirred against the “remnant” people of God, when the “dragon” makes war with the remnant of the seed of the woman, who “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ,” the time for peaceably pointing sinners to the Lamb of God will be forever past.

Let me ask, in all candor, Was not the spirit that trampled all law under foot, and strove to take the life of the poor imbecile, the same that rules in the breast of the lawless anarchist?

But one may ask, Do you believe it possible that in our loved country of liberty these waves of blind passion and unrestrained excitement could be turned to engulf one who accepts the teachings of Jesus Christ, of whatever name? I must answer, It will be done.

As far back as Oct. 23, 1850, a writer, speaking of this matter, stated that the time would come when the different religious powers would unite, “and issue a decree that all who would not observe the first day of the week instead of the seventh, shall be slain.” Another writer, much farther back,—the beloved disciple,—when speaking of this time, says that they shall “cause that as many as would not worship the Image of the Beast should be killed.” Rev. 13:15, last part. God’s people are delivered at that time.

The years have swiftly passed, and now these predictions, remote as they seemed of fulfillment a few years ago, are actually pondered in the minds of thinking men, as the only feasible way speedily to bring all classes to their standard of Christianity. In the leaflet that was sent broadcast, entitled “An Arraignment of Saturday,” it was more than hinted that the Seventh-day Adventists are sowing the seeds of anarchy and lawlessness, and undermining the base of all Christian principles, by teaching that there is no sacredness in, and that no blessing will be received by keeping, the Sunday, termed “the Christian sabbath.” Another, in speaking of this, asked the question, Why should we go on pruning and cutting back while we allow these men freely to sow the seed?

The unrest of the masses will continue and deepen, men’s lives will become more insecure, plotting and intrigue will become more bold, and crime will increase. The cause will be sought in every direction but the right one, and the result will be the centering of all eyes upon the small company who remain true to the principles of the Ten Commandments.

A parallel to this time is recorded in 1 Kings, chapters 18 and 19. The people had turned from the commandments of God to serve Baal. Elijah warned them, but he was unheeded. In consequence of their evil course, blighting curses came upon the land. The people had heard the warnings of God’s messenger, and now as they groaned under the curse, they were led to believe that if this stickler for the commandments of God were out of the way, their trouble would cease. Upon again seeing the prophet of God, Ahab charges him, “Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” The answer was, “I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.” 1 Kings 18:17, 18.

The test is near. There is still a great work to do. “The Lord is not slack . . . as some men count slackness.” He is not careless nor indifferent, but He has commissioned the angels to stay the tide, that the servants of God may be sought out and sealed. Are the laborers awake? How many are numbered among the laborers? Those who are not laborers are what? God has certainly commissioned every soul to whom He has given light, to carry it to others. Your talent may not be great, but you can fulfill the requirement. “It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

This is the need to-day, faithful men and faithful women. Stand among these, and you can never fail.