It would almost appear to the careful observer as he bends his thoughts abroad over our own country, and the nations of Europe and the world, that the times of tribulation spoken of in Scripture as annunciatory of the latter days, had already come. The foundations of industry, order, and prosperity, seem to be tottering. Governments are corrupted, people rebellious, enterprise paralyzed, trade and commerce languishing, and individuals bankrupt. Suffering and distress prevail everywhere to a most unusual degree. Wars and rumors of wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in divers place, increasing wickedness, and heart-sickening casualties and crimes, startle the community, and lead multitudes to exclaim, What are we coming to? The answer seems plain. The world is hastening to its destiny. Prophecy is fulfilling, history completing. The kingdoms of this world are being disorganized, that they may become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ. The nations are filling up the cup of their iniquities, which shall turn in their hands into the cup of the Lord’s fury. Leaders of false religions are binding upon their followers heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, which are designed to be thrown back with crushing weight upon their own heads. Communities are laying up for themselves “wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,” and individuals, sinning with a high hand against knowledge and love, are provoking the Almighty to a just retribution. Let the Lord’s people be awake, zealous, and active for the Master, vigilant and uncompromising against evil, waiting for his appearing, by the brightness of whose coming the man of sin is to be finally destroyed.—Advocate and Guardian.