Our Historical Series by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 7, 1886

Our Historical Series.

By Editor

ONE of the most important series of articles which we have ever published is that of historical quotations on the various kingdoms and nations noted in the prophecies. If our ministers will study and preserve these articles, they will have a complete digest of the history which they need to use in their series of sermons. We fear the articles have not been appreciated as their value deserves. The author is thoroughly prepared for his task, having a familiar acquaintance with the histories quoted, and concerning ancient countries and cities his evidences will keep fully up to the latest researches and explorations.

The thought has been expressed that all our ministers ought to read and study all these histories for themselves. But that is simply out of the question; with many it is impossible. We know there are a few who make everything bend to a system of reading which they have adopted, and we also know that either their system or their pressing duties has sometimes to be neglected. Were our ministers located, as are those of other denominations, then it would be different. But a minister who travels constantly, or who holds tent-meetings and must spend much time in visiting or lose the effect of his preaching, cannot study all the histories and other works of reference which bear upon the present truth. True, there should be a daily reading and study of the Scriptures and of other books; but if we expect or require too much, the failure will be all the more apparent. This has been the error of most past efforts to systematize the reading and study of our ministers. It was expected of them to adopt a course which is only suitable to persons quite differently situated. The result has been discouragement and failure.

But while some find it impossible to become familiar with all the books to which they wish to refer, the opposite extreme should be conscientiously avoided. It is not enough to tell a congregation that such a historian says so and so without being able to give his language or to tell where the statement may be found. To remedy the difficulty under which many labor in this respect is the object of the historical articles which have been, and will yet be, published in the SIGNS. They give the statements of historians on the very points required, and the extracts are so full and complete, and the references always reliable, that they furnish the expounder of the prophecies all that he actually needs to be fortified in his positions. And such a digest, or compend, of needed historical evidences cannot be found anywhere else. If there is a minister amongst us who has not carefully read these articles, he has lost much; and we speak for a studious reading of all those which may yet be given in the present volume of the SIGNS.

There is another series of articles, of equal importance, which will be commenced as soon as the state of our columns will justify. It will be of equal importance, and yet more interesting to the general reader. It will consist of an inquiry into the views and teachings of the early Fathers of the church, both before and after their conversion to Christianity, and will show how far their theological opinions were colored by their philosophy. It is a field which has never been as fully explored as it may be; or, rather, the influence of their philosophy upon their systems of Christian belief has never been appreciated as it should be; has never been understood by those who give so ready assent to their religious teachings. To all those who trust alone in "the law and the testimony" for their light, this series will prove invaluable. These articles are now in course of preparation.

Battle Creek, Mich.