Thoughts by Eliza H. Morton

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Oct 17, 1878

Thoughts.

By Eliza H. Morton

Prophecy tells us that the long history of this world is to be marked by two great events—the coming of Christ in human form as a "man of sorrows and acquainted with grief," and his second appearing in regal splendor as "King of kings and Lord of lords." The first prediction was fulfilled long, long years ago in Bethlehem of Judea. The second points its warning finger into the now not distant future. The destiny of a world is involved in these two events, and the loftiest strains of human eloquence cannot do them justice; not even the tongue of an angel is powerful enough to portray before our minds the associations which cluster around the one, and the events which will precede and accompany the other. No sublimer themes can occupy the mind of man, and no more exhaustless subjects can come before his notice. In the one we see the "length, depth, breadth, and hight, of a Saviour’s love;" in the other, the plan of salvation will be finished, the unsatisfied longings, dim hopes, and sad, bitter cry of the human heart after a life to come, will all be hushed, and the "mystery of redemption" solved.

Nearly two thousand years have rolled away since the Son of God walked the plains of Galilee and stood upon the hills of Jerusalem; and those years have been fraught with deep interest to the human race. "Jacob’s promised star" has been shining, and the tiny flame, kindled so long ago, has spread its glorious light throughout the world. The time now draws near when He who was spit upon, reviled, and crucified, will once more visit this earth, not as a man, frail and mortal, but as a king, glorious and eternal.

In contemplation of this event we become wrapt in "holy enthusiasm," and long for the glad day to dawn when the last cry of human agony will be hushed, all nature breathe long and peacefully, and the smile of God rest upon a redeemed race. Whatever is deepest and most sublime in human nature is called out by these anticipations, and our aspirations are quickened for something purer, nobler, and more lofty, than this poor life affords. We know that the future holds hidden within its awful precincts that for which our restless hearts yearn. What matters it if the world is dark with tempests, and mists are on the hills, and the "blast of the north is on the plains!" Beyond, there is light and joy, and we have a promise yet to be fulfilled which is glorious—even the return of our Master and the setting up of his everlasting kingdom.

The love of God is as vast as eternity and as wide as the world; and though finite mind cannot fathom the mystery of human life, yet we know that our Father is tender-hearted, kind, and forgiving. If we take fast hold of that divine arm which reaches to the lowest depth of human woe while it grasps the throne of the Eternal, we shall be strengthened with everlasting strength, and finally we shall become pillars in the temple of our God, to go no more out forever. Eliza H. Morton.