SECOND ADVENT DOCTRINE AN INCENTIVE TO HOLINESS.
THE beloved apostle who sat at the feet of Jesus, who leaned upon his breast at the supper, who was with him in the Holy Mount when there was exhibited a miniature of the glorified kingdom to come, when writing upon the subject of the second advent, and the transformation of the sons of God into the physical likeness of Christ, said that "every man that hath this hope"—i. e., of seeing Jesus and being made like him—"purifieth himself, even as he is pure." Persons who expect a long life to enjoy,—a long period of time to elapse before they are called to render an account of their stewardship,—are more liable to live carelessly than one who fully expects to be called in a little time to meet the Lord in Judgment. I know of nothing from which a sinner shrinks with so much dread as a meeting with the God against whom he has sinned. It is not only the dread of meeting an offended God which excites men to holy living, but the implanting of the desire and expectation of seeing the One who has loved them "so." "Him whom, having not seen, they love," prompts one to holy living for the sake of pleasing Him. The very teacher designed to teach men to live soberly, righteously, and godly, to deny themselves of all ungodliness and worldly lust, "teaches them to look for the blessed hope and manifestation of the glory of the great God, and our Life-giver, Jesus, the Christ." Peter, after describing the second advent, and the scenes connected with it, said, "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness!" Not only does the second advent incite people to holy living, but it excites them to activity in the work of saving others. It has been claimed by some that the doctrine of the second advent near is injurious, inasmuch as it destroys missionary zeal, and is the means of causing Christian workers to relapse into a state of inactivity. But such an idea is absolutely incorrect; the more imminent the danger, the more anxious are people to hasten to the rescue. There is nothing so crucifying to the world and inspiring to missionary zeal, as an unshaken faith in the near advent of our Lord; it is the one thing needful in this present worldly state of the church, to awaken them to a sense of their condition,—needful to feed the flock of God. It is meat in due season. Churches are suffering for it; individuals' hearts are longing for its invigorating sweetness; the entire world is in need of it. Brother, let thy voice be lifted up to proclaim it. Let ocean in its mightiness proclaim
With thunderings clear—
Let hill-tops sound aloud the glad acclaim,—
The Lord, our Christ, is near. —Quar. Jour. of Prophecy.