Stirring Times Ahead by Wm. Penniman

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 8, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 18.

"Stirring Times Ahead."

By Wm. Penniman

"THERE are stirring times ahead of the present generation, and whether we shall as a people survive or perish depends upon the intelligence and good sense with which we meet coming issues; and we have no time to lose in making preparation."

The preceding words are full of prophetic truth, and seem as forcible and as much to the point as if they were from the pen of an Adventist. Yet the writer is not a churchman, but one who is laboring for the good of humanity, and is looking unto the future from another stand-point. He is looking at the conflict between capital and labor, unjust usury, moneyed monopolies, and extreme poverty. Certainly Seventh-day Adventists can truly say, "There are stirring times ahead," when they look at the enforcement of the Sunday law in the near future, and is it not true that "whether we as a people survive or perish depends upon the intelligence, good sense," and, we may also add, Christian courage with which we meet coming issues. The time will soon come when we must show our colors, show whether we are on the side of truth or with the enemy. As a people we are preparing for the conflict, and are already in the midst of it in one sense.

The printing presses in this country and in Europe are sending forth tons of reading matter, and the living teachers are battling for the truth, so that it is really going before "peoples, nations, and tongues, and in a stronger sense the third angel will soon cry, "If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation." Rev. 14:9, 10. The schools also, and the sanitariums, are exerting a powerful influence for good. Therefore we are meeting the enemy by intelligent forces.

How true are the words that we have "no time to lose in making preparation." Catholicism is increasing, and its adherents are propagating their doctrines with wonderful zeal, leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to gain proselytes, as they are anxious to regain lost power. And Mormonism is increasing; they have their missionaries in nearly all parts of the world. Spiritualists are also zealous to increase their numbers, and they number already over 20,000,000. Infidelity in various phases is rapidly gaining ground. The mighty men who make wealth their god, are piling up millions upon millions of unjust gain. All of these classes are working with zeal, and we can add still another, which is anxious to bring about a union of church and State. Then certainly Seventh-day Adventists who are looking for the soon coming of Christ, who have the "sure word of prophecy" concerning these "stirring times," "have no time to lose in making preparation," and should work with greater zeal than any other party.

In looking at the United States, it can be seen that the elements of strife are rapidly developing, as there are many enemies of free government, free schools, and freedom in religion. Romanists, by their secret military organizations, are drilling and preparing for a struggle to obtain power. Rings, favoring rich monopolies, are oppressing the people. Taxes and monopoly oppressions are consuming the product of labor, which gives rise to associations for mutual protection, thus creating strife between capital and labor, and the prospect now is that the strife will greatly increase. The Edmonds law is denounced in Utah, and a speaker in a recent meeting at Ogden, called "the judge," said: "We are bound to beat this regulation, we have money to do it, and if that will not do, we have bullets and steel." In Salt Lake, Geo. Q. Cannon denounced the Edmonds law and said they would triumph over all their enemies, and beat all legislation aimed at the Mormons." Joseph Cook said in a recent lecture, "Who does not see that we are drifting into the necessity of armed interference with Mormonism?"

It is uncertain what will be the result of the coming contest between the two great political parties, but one thing is certain, the elements of strife are in our midst, the kindling material is ready, and when the match is applied the winds of contest will soon spread the flames. Joseph Cook further says in regard to the lawlessness in our country: "A prolific cause of lawlessness is the animosities between races, and religions, and political parties. A still larger cause is intemperance. A yet larger cause is irreligion, atheism, agnosticism, liberalistic creeds, blatant infidelity, and the failure of the church to reach the masses with the truths that overawe the conscience." It is difficult to tell what may be the result of the agitation of the temperance question. But one thing is certain, united effort against moral evils cannot fail to bring about good results. As the end is so near, we can only see that the evil of intemperance will be held in check, but there will yet be a much greater contest over the matter.

The recent riot in Cincinnati is further proof of increasing lawlessness. The people are indignant in many other localities in regard to criminals escaping justice. Crimes worse than murder are committed, the most outlandish in regard to the rights, happiness, and virtue of women, and yet a trial by jury clears the guilty.

But not the least element in the stirring times ahead, will be the enforcement of a Sunday law, which will be brought about by a union of church and State. This union, which constitutes the "image to the beast," is clearly predicted in the 17th chapter of Revelation; but we have not space in this article to more than allude to it. The Chicago Journal says: "The Sabbath question, with its religious aspects, will, in all probability, be carried to the ballot-box for final settlement." The Christian Statesman says: "The battle will be serious; it will divide neighborhoods, and separate very near friends."

The fearful threatening of Rev. 14:9-11 has already been alluded to. We have often thought of the time when the Third Angel's Message would go forth with a "loud voice"; and does not this consist in forcibly and specially giving warning of the terrible judgment pronounced against those who worship the beast and his image, thus plainly drawing the line between those who serve God and those who serve him not? And is not this time right here, or near to come? Why is this Sunday agitation going on throughout the length and breadth of the land? Why is this National Reform Party increasing from year to year, and holding conventions in our large cities to stir up the people, if it is not to fulfill the prophecy? We are glad to see the Sabbath Sentinel circulated to prepare the people for the conflict. Hundreds of thousands of these should be circulated, and will be if all do their duty.

Yes, there are stirring times, and also dangers, ahead in every direction; and it is a good thing to foresee the evil and be prepared for it. The only hiding-place is the Ark of safety. As the disciples had only a little time in which to flee from falling Jerusalem for security, so now there is only a little time in which to escape impending destruction. The only way for the Christian is to work, watch, and pray. "Seek righteousness, seek meekness," and by so doing "be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." WM. PENNIMAN.