The World's Expectation.
By Uriah Smith
Over fifteen years ago, Mr. David N. Lord, of New York, penned the following language:— “There has been no period for ages, probably, when there was so general an expectation among evangelical Christians of all classes, that either the advent of Christ is at hand, or else some great measure of Providence, by which a new era is to be introduced to the church; and what is equally remarkable, no time before in which other men of all creeds and classes—atheists, infidels, apostates, formalists, nothingists, were also looking as they are now, for a regeneration of the world after their several schemes of perfection and blessedness. Among the signals that Christ is at hand, one of the most striking is the skill and success with which Satan is working with all power and signs and lying wonders, and deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; and their abandonment by God to strong delusion, that they may show forth their true character as his enemies, and make the propriety manifest of the condemnation and destruction with which they are soon to be overwhelmed.” The rapidity with which great and significant events are crowding in upon us has increased in geometrical ratio since the above was written. The working of Satan with signs and lying wonders, to which reference is made, has gone forward with long and rapid strides since that time. The development of evil has been so steady and constant that the world has become somewhat familiarized with it, and it makes less and less impression upon the general mind. But could there have been an instantaneous transition from the state of the world and society as it was thirty years ago, to what it is at the present day, all classes would have stood aghast, paralyzed and dumb with amazement at the terrible change. The ranks of those who have pleasure in unrighteousness have greatly swollen in numbers; and some have so far thrown off the power of restraint and the mask of decency as to publicly avow, and defend their vile practices, glorying in, as Paul declares, and foaming out, as Jude adds, their own shame. Verily the Judgment of such cannot much longer linger, nor their damnation slumber. With greater success than ever, Satan is working with his signs and lying wonders; and if fifteen years ago this was a sign that Christ is at hand, it is now evidence of his soon coming which cannot be overlooked nor mistaken.