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JESUS IS COMING

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 24, 1879

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 54, No. 5.

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JESUS IS COMING.

By Eliza H. Morton

Dr. Brooks, in an address before the Prophetic Conference, told the following anecdote peculiarly illustrative of the importance of making the coming of Christ a practical, life-controlling fact:—
“An old man had an only son who grew up proud and disobedient, and well nigh broke his father’s heart by running away from home. When he got to a great distance, he wrote to his father briefly thus: ‘You need not expect to see me for seven years. I have determined to seek my own fortune, and I have so thoroughly disguised myself and covered my tracks, that it is useless for you to hunt for me at all.’
The seven years rolled away, and at the end of the time the old man went twice a day, morning and night, to the trains as they arrived at the village. His residence was not far off, and when he heard the whistle he would put on his hat and go to the station. Winter and summer, in storm and in sunshine, in day-time and in darkness, never did that train arrive that it did not find that old man standing on the platform, patiently waiting. One bright, sunny morning, at ten o’clock, when the train arrived at the depot and the old man stood waiting, a great, strong young man descended from the steps, and in one minute the arms of the old man were around him, and the tears were running down his face as he said: “This my son was dead, and is alive again; was lost, and is found.” The burning longing in the old man’s heart was satisfied, and the promise of his son verified.
Hope keeps the heart from sinking into despair. The hope of the church centers in the second appearing of Christ. The word of God says we need not look for his coming until the “man of sin” be revealed. The twelve hundred and sixty years of Papal supremacy are in the past, and we are now in the waiting time. Are our ears open to catch the far-off sound of the chariot wheels? Are our eyes fixed on the skies from whence the glory will come? The sons and daughters of the King should long for his appearing. The meeting time is near. Are we looking for the signal—watching for the train? Soon arms of love will enfold earth-weary frames. Are we ready for the rapture?
ELIZA H. MORTON.
Allen’s Corner, Me.