A SHOUT FROM THE WATCHTOWER.
There is a call to be made and answered in the last days, deemed of such importance that Inspiration has seen fit to spread it upon the prophetic page. It is described as the “burden of Dumah,” expressed by a voice out of Seir: “Watchman, what of the night?” made emphatic by repetition: “Watchman, what of the night?” Such is the thrilling appeal made to the watchman. Evidently the signs are startling; some change is impending, and the traveler’s mind becomes anxious. What are the portents? What are we to look for next? The watchman responds, “The morning cometh, and also the night.” And the anxious inquirer is encouraged to press his inquiry. “If ye will inquire,” that is, if you have a disposition to inquire, if you desire to know the nature of the times, the aspect of the night, and what the prospect is, it is your privilege to inquire again: “Inquire ye, return, come.” As in a business meeting, a motion may be renewed after intervening business, so here, after every change of the kaleidoscope, when the fore-tokening heavens present a new aspect, the inquiry may be renewed, What of the night? what of the night? The answer indicates that a condition is impending which will specifically affect two classes: a time of light, and consequently of joy and rejoicing, like the breaking of the morning; for the watchmen, speaking for the Lord, says: “The morning cometh.” But it would be an incomplete and deceptive picture to leave it there; for “when the saints’ rest comes, then the world’s distress comes.” When the morning of life breaks for the children of light, for another class who love darkness rather than light, the night follows hard after; and the watchman immediately rounds out his instruction by adding the chilling note, “and also the night;” that is, the night is also coming. How startling is that declaration! What fearful scenes of desolation and woe are bound up therein! It is well that the coming of the morning should be named first; for in that is hope and joy and delight, for which the Church has long waited. But the other part cannot be omitted; for in that, the night, is bound up the sudden ruin which comes upon those who cry peace and safety when sudden destruction is just ready to burst upon them. I Thess. 5:3. There is the sudden awakening of men who presume with all confidence upon the favor of the Lord, saying that in His name they have cast out devils, and have done many wonderful works, when He shall say, “I never knew you.” Matt. 7:23. There is weeping and gnashing of teeth among the enemies of the Lord, when they shall see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of God, and they themselves thrust out. Luke 13:28. And over the darkness of this night that is coming, there shall flash and flicker those lurid fires which, prepared and designed only for the devil and his angels, shall sweep at last into their fiery folds all those who have cast in their lot and destiny with the rebel hosts. Remember what is coming. The morning cometh, and also the night. The night is calculated to wean us from earthly things. Do the wicked prosper and flourish like a green bay tree? Remember that they shall be cut down. Do millionaires flaunt their glittering tinsel before the eyes of fawning multitudes? Think of our Lord’s question, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Matt. 16:26. Let us who are of the day, and are not in darkness that it should come upon us like a thief, prepare for the morning. Warning is now given in time to prepare; but when the shadows of this world’s last night close in upon us, it will be too late.