PROGRESS | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 25, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 12.

"PROGRESS."

AMBROSE, a prominent writer for the N. Y. Evangelist, in a recent number of that journal, has an article on "The Stages of Progress in the Conquest of the World." He notes three great periods in Christian work,—the first advent and primitive missionary work, the Reformation period, and later on comes a period of spreading the gospel to all nations. He then asks:—

"Is this third period of progress the last? May there not be needed another to do a work corresponding to that inaugurated by Luther and Calvin,—a work of purification and reform? Are there not at work already the tendencies to corruption? and is it sure that these and others will not increase as time goes on, even while the gospel is making its way over the earth? It was so in the Middle Ages, and what has happened once may happen again."

The words indicate a sense of need, and a blind groping for light which God has so fully revealed. "Tendencies!" Corruption itself is already at work.

It will "wax worse and worse." "Perilous times" are come. Error, dissension, confusion, and corruption exist in the church. Another "reformation" is needed; and it is foretold in the "sure word of prophecy." See Joel 2:1; Isa. 58; Rev. 14:6-14. And that work of purification and reform "is going forward to earth's remotest bounds." Its result will be to develop a people who have cast off error and tradition, who have accepted the word of truth as their guide (2 Thess. 2:10-12), and who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev. 14:12.