Triumphs of the Redeemer's Kingdom.
By J. D. Herr, D. D.
SENTIMENTALISM has frequently taken the place of Scriptural truth concerning the momentous questions relating to the restitution of all things of which the prophets have spoken. A zeal worthy in its activities, yet lacking scriptural knowledge, has loudly proclaimed the disenthralment of earth from Satanic power, simply through the reformatory efforts devised and executed by organized societies. They would have us believe that the world through these multiplied appliances of reform will be compelled to submit to the higher laws of morality and thus gradually assume the universal and glorious millennium reign. Beautiful as this theory is, it cannot be sustained by the Scriptures nor by the actual condition of things existing at the present time. When the fact is considered that, according to the most reliable statistics, the world is advancing much more rapidly in population than the church, in proportion to numbers, the prospect of the present conditions being changed by the reformatory measures now obtaining, is not flattering. From the plain teaching of the Bible we are led to believe that a day of universal peace and blessedness will yet dawn upon this oppressed and groaning earth; that the future shall unveil a brighter and more glorious condition of things than human fancy can picture. How God shall usher in such wonders to the gaze of men can only be understood through careful and prayerful study of the prophetic scriptures. From such study we are led to believe that it is not by the progress of society or the march of human intellect; not by the advance of science, or the spread of modern opinions; not by the rise and growth of liberal institutions, nor the multiplying of reformatory organizations; not even by missions to the heathen and planting of Sabbath-schools and churches in destitute places,—that peace and righteousness are to universally prevail, and "truth grow out of the earth." These are all necessary in holding the ground for truth and righteousness, and every honest, earnest, and sanctified heart and hand should assist to promote these great interests. Every soul won for God through the channels of religious activity is a march onward toward the Redeemer's kingdom. Every mission station planted on heathen soil is an advance movement of truth and righteousness. No hand should be idle, no purse should be closed, no tongue should be silent, when the fields around us and beyond us are white for the harvest. These are royal avenues through which the hosts of God can march forward in obedience to the divine mandate. But it is not by these means that Satan's kingdom is to be overthrown and the world delivered from his malicious oppression. It is not by these methods a state of universal blessedness and peace is to be introduced upon earth, but by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ on the clouds from heaven. This is the one grand event placed before us in "the sure word of prophecy." Here we can rest our faith and plant our hope amid the sad disasters and spiritual depressions constantly surrounding the walls of Christendom. No seeming defeat of moral reform, no beating back of the armies of truth, no attempt to overthrow the bulwarks of Christianity, shakes our confidence or paralyzes our aggressive efforts. Beyond all these is seen the outshining of his power, and we can wait in joyous expectancy and humble patience for the appearing of the great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Here we find the objective point of all prophecy, the true hope which gives to the darkest clouds a joyous silver lining. Thus faith, predicated upon the word of God, stands in the watch-tower, and looks through the lattice of prophecy, for the coming of the royal Bridegroom. Scriptural truth is the only tower into which the Christian can flee and know that its foundations are sure. The places of refuge erected by human hands, or scientific and moral reforms, are at best but temporary, while they impart little or no assurance of safety; but the word of God points us to the glory that shall eventually be revealed, and to the earnest believer is both sure and steadfast, taking hold on that within the veil.—J. D. Herr, D. D.