“BUILDINGS LEVELED BY A TWISTER.”
By T.
The above is the significant heading in large type of a prominent column in a San Francisco paper of October 3. The article following tells of a cyclone that swept over Stockton, California, breaking down trees, buildings, and everything else that came in its path. The cyclone was accompanied by peals of thunder, and, what was most peculiar, it divided in the course of its progress and became two distinct storms, each part seeming to spread as much havoc as the other. It has long been the boast of California that we are free here from these terrific storms. Such a thing as thunder is practically unknown in this locality, and the idea of having a cyclone here has been scoffed at. Indeed, it has long been the claim that these terrific whirlwinds were confined to the plains of the upper Mississippi valley. But all these theories are being wonderfully shattered. These great storms are becoming more and more numerous, and they are breaking out in unusual and unthought-of places. The simple facts are that we are in the last days, and Satan, the prince of the power of the air, is stirring up storms by land and sea so that he may destroy as many as possible. It is only God’s miraculous restraining power that keeps the evil one from sweeping over the whole earth with waste and desolation. For in the Word of God it is foretold that “the earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.” Isa. 24: 19, 20. How forcibly clear are these prophetic words! “The earth is utterly broken down,” “clean dissolved,” “moved exceedingly,” “reels to and fro like a drunkard.” We see the beginnings of the fulfilment of this prophecy in different parts of the whole earth. But what we have seen is as nothing when compared with what is just ahead of us. The Lord has foretold what is coming. In numerous scriptures He tells of the perils of the last days, and none of these perils are more to be dreaded than the great storms that the enemy of truth will cause to sweep over the land. And while the Lord foretells the awful destructiveness of these storms in the last days, He also tells of His willingness to save every one from them. Hear the Word of the Lord upon this subject:— “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God; in Him will I trust. Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust; His truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” Ps. 91: 1–11. Language could not be more assuring, and every one may have the divine protection if he will only accept. T.