p. 11 | GRAND BUT AWFUL by C. H. Castle

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 10, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 41.

GRAND BUT AWFUL.

By C. H. Castle

LONG, long ago the poet wrote:— “We are living, we are dwelling, In a grand and awful time.”

True as may have been these words when they were written, their truth is much more noticeable at the present time. Surely we are living in an awful time, and grand it is also. To see the force of the words, divide the world into two classes as they really exist to-day, namely, those who are Christians and those who are not. And now let us consider what is taking place in the world.

Think of the African war, which has been engaging the attention of England for so long, drawing from her realm men and money to sustain the bloody fray, bringing death and distress untold; the slaughter now going on in China, where human life is considered of less value than the life of a dog. Nor should we forget the direful aspect of the poor of India, who are starving to death in Bombay, and, in fact, the greater part of the territory, where, according to accredited reports, famine and the dread plague of cholera are carrying off their victims at the rate of a death every minute. Here are the figures: 10,277 deaths were recorded for one week in Bombay.

Think of it. And these people, or those of them who survive, are to hear the message of the third angel. And what of those who have died without having heard the Gospel?

We have long talked about the time of trouble, when war, famine, and pestilence would be abroad in the land. To the Christian all these things are omens of the dawning of the morning. Are they not also signals for greater activity, greater sacrifice for the cause we love?

The Lord's work will be done; for He has so declared in Isa. 55: 11. It is a grand thing to work for God, to be a co-laborer with Christ.

Sheridan, Ill.                            C. H. CASTLE.