Ominous Signs by M. Wood

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 17, 1874

Ominous Signs.

By M. Wood

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Rev. 12:17.

The scripture above quoted was quite forcibly brought to mind last Sunday morning, by the remarks of an exasperated Sunday-keeper who was hurling his darts at God's commandment-keeping people. For several weeks Bro. S. has been engaged in erecting a block of tenement houses on a piece of land adjacent to that of our enraged friend. And as the carpenters are Sabbath-keepers, they avail themselves of the privilege of working Sundays, much to the annoyance of (though in no way disturbing) our friend in question, who, feeling that he could endure this nuisance no longer, made his way to the store of the writer, there to give vent to his pent-up feelings. After expressing a desire for a gun that he might shoot these depraved creatures who were transgressing God's holy Sabbath (Sunday) he left the store, and a captain of the police, who came in to make a purchase, immediately turned upon the side of our Sunday-Sabbath adherent, and expressed himself strongly in favor of a stringent Sunday-law. He hoped that the day was not far distant when all manner of business would be suspended, that peace and quietness might reign on the Lord's day (Sunday). He protested against our doing business on Sunday.

It is easily to be seen that the clouds are gathering thicker and faster; that the dragon's ire is aroused against those who are trying to keep the commandments.

A sister who lately embraced the third angel's message was threatened by her husband that if she ever attended another S. D. Adventist meeting he would either take her life, or put her in the insane asylum. Another sister, after returning home from meeting, found the doors of her dwelling locked against her. After parleying awhile with her husband, he granted her admission into the house, but what a reception did she meet! Her furniture, bed, bedding, and clothing, were strewn from one end of the house to the other, and the victuals thrown upon the floor. For what? Because she chose to obey God and keep his commandments. Oh! how much we need the grace of God in our hearts to enable us to stem the downward current, and prepare for what is coming upon

the earth. Oh! that it might be said of reader and writer, Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. M. Wood.

Boston, Mass., Nov. 4, 1874.