A Struggle Coming by Uriah Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 6, 1874

A Struggle Coming.

By Uriah Smith

The statements made in the following paragraphs, people would do well to carefully ponder:—

“But why have not greater results been secured in the evangelization of our foreign population? The idea has prevailed that our civilization will so thoroughly permeate this element that it will inevitably become assimilated to our institutions; but this is not altogether true. We find that many of these foreigners combine the more closely after their arrival in this country, and resist all efforts to become Americanized. They hold on tenaciously to their social customs and religious views, and insist upon perfect liberty to practice them. Hence the fearful prevalence of Sabbath desecration in this country. The German infidel element is a powerful combination, and is seeking to overthrow our religious institutions. Since its introduction into America, it has been growing more and more defiant, and, in many of our cities, nominates and elects candidates upon an open platform of opposition to our Sabbath laws. It has an influential press, eloquent leaders, and plenty of voters, and, therefore, can control the average politician. Instead of our Christian public sentiment modifying this element, it is, in many places, ruled by it.”

“Some have also believed that Romanism in this land is more liberal and progressive than it is in papal countries abroad, but facts teach otherwise. While prominent ministers and laymen in Europe are protesting against the errors of the papacy, and separating themselves from the ‘Mother Church,’ not a single word or act of sympathy is manifest among the so-called enlightened Romanists of America. They appear to be more bigoted and radical than those of Austria, and are evidently consolidating their forces for a great struggle with modern progress, as manifested especially in our public schools.”—H. H. Fairall, A. M., in Methodist.

For this struggle, so inevitably approaching, we confidently aver that no man can be properly prepared without an acquaintance with what prophecy has taught us respecting this issue. Hence the importance of the study. “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

U. S.