AUTHENTIC history is not to the Christian student a mere enumeration of dead facts. It is not a mere record of the struggles and changes, the defeats and triumphs, the gains and losses of men and nations. If we see only one or all of these in the history of men and nations, our view is indeed limited and we have failed to learn its lesson.
In a strange land, fraught with dangers and difficulties seen and unseen, filled with numerous foes, who lurk in ambush and lay hidden snares for our feet, it is wise now and then to ascend some high hill, to climb to the top of some lofty and commanding eminence, whence we may review the ground already traversed, and behold as best we can the perils and pitfalls, the dangers and difficulties, which await us in the future. If to be forewarned is not wholly to be forearmed, it is a necessary step to that end; for he will make no preparation to meet perils or difficulties who believes that there is no danger.
History is one of the lofty eminences from which we may view the past, but not in its own light. For he who studies history from any other view-point than that of the divine, misses the great lesson which history teaches.
God's invitation to Moses is applicable here: "Come up to Me into the mount, and be there;" or to Ezekiel: "In the visions of God brought He me, . . . and set me down upon a very high mountain, . . . and the Man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall show thee; for to the intent that I might show them unto thee art thou brought hither; declare all that thou seest;" or to Isaiah: "O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain."
He who would rightly judge the past, understand the present, or discern the future, needs, like the prophet of old, to get up into the high mountain, to the "top of the rocks" "of Pisgah" and "of Peor," if he would see the Israel of God; if he would know God's purpose in calling them out; if he would understand their victories over opposing powers, and their latter glory under King Immanuel. He must see in the vision, or seeing, of God. To God's outlook of vision, to His seeings, these studies invite the reader. The watch-tower—the mountain—is the sublime heights of the prophecy of God—history in advance—written by the pen of Inspiration as kenned by prophet and seer.
God in History.
God is in history, whether His name be named or not. Tracing it thru the ages with that thought dominant, chaos becomes cosmos, confusion becomes order. The indefinable to human wisdom may be seen to have been ordered of God; while despite all the machinations of men and the efforts of hostile powers, the divine Master works to the one great end,—the establishment of the kingdom of righteousness, and the gathering out from the wickedness of a corrupted world all those who in Him are worthy to inhabit that kingdom forever. "The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men."
In thus reading history, the clear-sighted student may see, often repeated, God gathering from seeming defeat, utter ruin, and nothingness, the most glorious victories, the grandest structures, and the mightiest impulses, forces, and movements earth has ever known.
Two Great Witnesses.
The great theme of these studies is God revealed in history and prophecy. In the prophecy He reveals in word and symbol Himself and the future, which He works out despite of sin. In history is the same word and symbol developed in deed and monument, in man and nation, in movements and changes, and in some form or way ever revealing the working of God.
Prophecy and History are two agreeing witnesses which God gives to the truthfulness of His word—two witnesses between which there can have been or can be no collusion. The former is written oftentimes long before with the pen of Inspiration: "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure." Isa. 46:10. The latter—History—worked out despite the sin, the corruptions, the efforts of Satan thru the overruling of God, writes again in after years, centuries, ages, the things which Prophecy recorded.
Concerning God's purposes among the children of men, His word declares: "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets." Amos 3:7. Concerning what He thus reveals thru His prophets, His apostle Peter declares: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts. . . . For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:19-21.
We are now in the long, dark night of sin. Many lights are gleaming, but few, indeed, mark the pathway of life. Many are but the combustion of the noxious gases rising from the miasma of pestilential morasses which lead the hapless wanderer into sloughs of despond, where they leave him in total darkness to perish. Myriads are now wandering in the mazes of doubt, skepticism, error, and political uncertainties. Blessed be God that He has given us the sure, clear light, that shines in the darkness, and illuminates the path of the just even to the end.
With these divine assurances, dear reader, may we not in humility, ever by faith asking God to grant us the guidance of that Spirit who inspired the prophecy, undertake its study with the assurance that we shall there find God revealed—a Teacher, a Guide, a Helper, a Saviour, and an everlasting King?
W.
Christianity a Warfare.
HE who would be most like Christ must pay the cost. If a furnace is needed to purify and brighten you, do not shirk the furnace. Patience is an admirable grace; but it is not oftenest worn by those who walk on the sunny side of the street in silver slippers. It is usually the product of headwinds and hard fights, of crosses carried and of steep hills climbed on the road to life. "The trial of your faith worketh patience." So it is with all the noblest traits of a robust, healthy, and symmetrical character. No man is rocked into godliness in a hammock. Christ offers you no free ride to the kingdom in a cushioned parlor-car. John Bunyan sent his sturdy "pilgrim" to the Celestial City on foot; and some pretty rough walking and hard conflicts did he encounter before the pearly portals welcomed him to the streets of flashing gold. His piety was self-denying, stalwart, and uncompromising; he relished even the stiff severities of duty, and was never coddled with confectioneries. Self-indulgence is the besetting sin of the times; but if you long to be a strong, athletic Christian, you must count the cost. It will cost you the cutting up of some old favorite sins by the roots, and cutting loose from some entangling alliances, and some sharp set-tos with the tempter; it will cost you the submitting of your will to the will of Christ.—Dr. T. L. Cuyler.