THE END DRAWS ON by F. R. Richards

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 23, 1901

THE END DRAWS ON

By F. R. Richards

F. R. RICHARDS (Atchison, Kan.)

At the late Kansas Conference (December 24-28) the oft-repeated testimony, “This is the best Conference I ever attended,” was current among the delegates. How well this plain, simple statement, though often used, expresses the freshness of true Christian experience. In contrast with abounding error, how bright and clear-cut appear the outlines of God’s truth for this time. Unlike the confusing, discordant notes of the false prophet, how reassuring is the voice of each servant who gives “the trumpet the certain sound.” How timely the instruction that forbids all trust in the arm of flesh, and points to God, the Rock of ages, the eternal refuge, who is our shelter in the time of storm. Now of all times must individual connection with God be maintained. The powers of darkness are about to begin their final onslaught upon the citadel of the Christian’s hope. Soon every stronghold of religious freedom will be swept from the field or trampled beneath the feet of relentless persecution.

By reason of the shortness of human vision, mists of misapprehension sometimes tend to retard spiritual intercourse between brethren, hindering their co-operative support and fellowship until all come to the unity of the faith. This condition must soon be remedied; but until this is accomplished, no sense of loneliness or neglect must be suffered to depress and deter those souls stayed on Christ. By similar lessons God would prepare many for the final ordeal, when each must pass through the refining blast, where the last vestige of dross will perish, and only the pure gold — the character of God — will come forth from the crucible of His law. Let none shrink from the final test.

How soothing in the danger-fraught present, and how inspiring for the future, is the precious promise of Jesus: “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me.” Lord, hasten the glad day when the living redeemed shall say, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”