THOUGHTS FOR THIS TIME.
By Jos. Clarke
How time hastens his course! Here we are in the autumn of 1877. More than thirty years have passed since the third angel began to sound his warning notes. This solemn message is now heard in the earth to its uttermost bounds. Before many nations, and tongues, and peoples, it is going forth, sustained and hastened on by divine authority and power. Some of the early friends and lovers of these sacred truths are sleeping in the dust, soon to awake in rapture and glory; others are toiling on in faith, and hope, and love; and though often in weariness and painfulness, yet they never doubt or falter or waver. The impress of time has furrowed their faces, but faith and hope have kept them bright and clear and hopeful. The cause is onward. New and younger friends enter the lists, and volunteer in the great work. The battle cry is heard, and the armies of God are on the march. New recruits become tried and faithful warriors in the fight, and push the battle to the gate. For many years this work has been pursued with ever-enduring zeal, and now it appears that the hand of God is put forth in power. The enemy is put to flight before the hosts of the Lord; and angels that excel in strength beat back the wily foe and increase the power of the people of God. The cheering reports from missionaries in Europe are inspiring and hopeful. The thought that in the land of the early Reformers, and even in the very localities where the apostles and early Christians stood up for the truth, and where they gave up earthly hopes, earthly prospects, and even life itself, for Christ,—that in these very countries God is raising up friends for the truth by means of self-sacrificing missionaries, is a consideration full of interest, especially to those who have witnessed the rise and progress of this message. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Prussia, Italy, Switzerland, France, already hear the notes of the last merciful message to the human race,—a race that has been accustomed to shut eyes, ears, and hearts to the voice of God, and which does not become better by age or experience, but is everywhere fast ripening for destruction. But, thank God, there are a few here and there whose hearts are not wholly callous to the voice of the truth for the last days. In all these countries there are a few who have not bowed the knee to Baal, and who love God and long for his salvation. Such, while they mourn over the sad prospect lying before an apostate church and a sin-ruined world, lift up their hearts to God in joy as the truth, clearly and distinctly proclaimed, explains all their anxious doubts, calms all their fears, and enlightens their darkened minds. Men of all languages and climes become one people at the touch of the Holy Spirit, by whose power the truths of the three messages are proclaimed. They feel that the end of all things is close at hand, and that soon the last trump will sound, when the whole family of God will assemble around the great white throne, where all the various divisions of language and nationality will melt away, and all the past will be forgotten in the blazing light and glory of full salvation.