The Gospel not Gloomy

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 24, 1873

The Gospel not Gloomy.

THE gospel gloomy! It is an anthem from the harps of Heaven, the music of the river of life, washing its shores on high and pouring in cascades upon the earth. Not so cheerful was the song of the morning stars, nor the shout of the sons of God so joyful. Gushing from the fountains of eternal harmony, it was first heard on earth in a low tone of solemn gladness uttered in Eden by the Lord God himself. This gave the key note of the gospel song. Patriarchs caught it up and taught it to the generations following. It breathed from the harp of the psalmist, and rang like a clarion from tower and mountain-top as prophets proclaimed the year of jubilee. Fresh notes from Heaven have enriched the harmony, as the Lord of Hosts and his angels have revealed promises, and called on the suffering children of Zion to be joyful in their King. From bondage and exile, from dens and caves, from bloody fields and fiery stakes and peaceful death-beds, have they answered, in voices which cheered the disconsolate and made oppressors shake upon their thrones, while sun and moon, and all the stars of light, stormy winds fulfilling his word, the roaring sea and the fullness thereof, mountains and hills, fruitful fields and all the trees of the wood, have rejoiced before the Lord, and the coming of his anointed, for the redemption of his people and the glory of his holy name.—Dr. Hodge.