A Glorious Illustration.
By Chas. A. Russell
A SHORT time ago, the Rev. Dr. ———, of Auburn, N. Y., visited the village where I live, and during his stay gave a lecture on temperance. In the course of his remarks, he said in substance as follows:— In the time of the Millerite excitement, when the day arrived for the world to burn up, one fellow put on his ascension robe and started for a certain hill near by. In crossing a low piece of ground, he discovered a crack or seam in the earth caused by excessive dry weather, and the idea struck him that the earth was going to split open, and he was puzzled to know which was the safest side to be on, but finally decided to stand astride the seam. The Rev. Doctor said “he was bound to go up anyhow.” This narration seemed to please the most of the audience wonderfully, especially the ministers present; but to me, it seemed as ridiculous and irreverent as it was doubtless untruthful. A short time afterward at the same house (Methodist), several ministers being present, one of them, the Methodist minister from Allegan, referred to the narration of the Rev. Doctor from N. Y., and called it a glorious illustration. The language of Paul in Titus 2:13, came to my mind: “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ,” &c. The inspired servant of God was led to speak of the appearing of Jesus as glorious. Calls it that blessed hope; and held it up before the church as an incentive to godliness, and as the time of reward. But a professed under-shepherd can speak of it in an ironical manner, and another call his illustration glorious. Are not such fulfilling the words of our Saviour in Matt. 24:48, 49? How true and timely is the second angel’s message of Rev. 14, announcing the fall of Babylon. What must be the condition of the professed church when they can all unite in heaping contempt upon the doctrine of the Lord’s coming. What a contrast between the language of such and that of inspiration. 1 Thess. 4:13–18; chap. 5; 2 Tim. 4:6–8; Acts 1:10, 11; Rev. 22:20. In regard to ascension robes, there has been a reward of fifty dollars offered for several years to any person who could produce good evidence that an ascension robe was made and worn for that purpose by any person in 1844. About a year ago, I was talking with a person who said he saw one. He affirmed several times that he saw it, but after a little cross-questioning acknowledged that he did not see it, but said that his wife’s mother did. Then said I, you admit that you have lied about it, for you said a moment ago that you saw it. He squirmed a little and walked off. Doubtless somebody saw Adventists making some kind of under-garments, and reported that they were ascension robes, and this puts words into the mouths of those who are to fulfill 2 Pet. 3:3, 4. CHAS. A. RUSSELL.