The Signs of the Times

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 23, 1873

“The Signs of the Times.”

THE Reformed Presbyterians have, on the occasions of their annual assemblies, a regular committee on “The Signs of the Times.” Their assembly met here last week, and this committee made its report, of which the following is an abstract:—

The committee on the Signs of the Times would respectfully report:

The Lord reigneth. He is executing the purpose of his heart with reference to our world in his providential rule of it. Upon a glorious high throne Immanuel sits, directing all things to the issues contemplated in the eternal counsels.

1. We behold a shocking, alarming destruction of human life by outright murder and assassination, and by the carelessness of builders and public carriers, etc.

2. A dreadful prevalence of drunkenness and all the causes which lead to impurity and divorce.

3. A wide-spread prevalence of the disregard of those civil laws which have a reference to moral conduct.

4. Our day witnesses a more thoroughly organized, and bold and persistent opposition to Christianity in all its ramifications.

5. We witness the persistent attempts of Romanism to establish itself more firmly in our land.

6. These are times of agitation in the church—agitation upon matters that seem to affect our vital interests.

7. A lowering of the tone of Christian consistency.

8. The advancement of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9. We behold progress in the effort to move our nation to an acknowledgment of its proper relations to God.

10. The church of God in her various branches is coming together.

Now our puzzles in contemplating this long array of “signs” are two in number, but one in kind. First, when we look at the preamble of this report and see the joyous and cheerful sentiment with which it begins, and then glance down at the doleful signs that follow, we are astonished; and, secondly, when we have read the first seven signs, which seem to intimate that everything is going to destruction, and then read the eighth sign, which asserts that “Christ’s kingdom is advancing,” we are fairly astounded. If the subject were not so solemn, these palpable contradictions would be amusing. As they are, they are terribly perplexing, and we wish the committee would make another report and show how to harmonize its conflicting signs, for we are sure we cannot “discern” them without their exposition.—Pittsburg Leader, May 25, 1873.