The World's Conversion by J. B. Frisbie

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 19, 1858

The World's Conversion.

By J. B. Frisbie

Matt. xxiv, 37-39. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 2 Tim. iii, 1-5, 13. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come; for men shall be lovers of their own selves, . . . having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. Eph. iv, 4. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. Luke xii, 32, 36. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. . . . And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding.

When Christ comes the world will be as it was in the days of Noe, not ready. It will be perilous times with the churches, for men will have a form of godliness while destitute of the power. The teachers and their people will wax worse and worse, being mostly turned unto fables; which will leave but a little flock to wait their Lord's return from heaven.

Now on the other hand, let us see what popular teachers say about it:

"CAN THE WORLD BE CONVERTED?—HOW? "The ultimate conversion of the world to God is the burden of divine promise and prophecy. The achievement may seem an impossibility, in view of the Herculean difficulties attending the enterprise, and the inadequate plans for its accomplishment. The period may be remote when the banner of the cross shall wave from every turret; but the consummation is as certain as the declaration of holy writ. How shall the world be converted? . . . The truth of God universally diffused, applied by the Holy Spirit in answer to prayer, furnishes the simple and comprehensive answer."—American Messenger, Nov. 1852.

The scriptures quoted in proof of the above are Ps. ii, 8; Isa. ii, 2; Dan. ii, 35; Ps. xxii, 27; Micah iv, 3; Rev. xi, 15. But when the kingdoms of this wicked world shall be given to Christ, he shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.

"FACTS TO THINK ABOUT.

"1. There are in the world about 800,000,000 of souls. Of these, Christianity is professed by Roman Catholics, 80,000,000 Protestants, 70,000,000 Greek church, 50,000,000 200,000,000 "2. There are Jews, 5,000,000 Mohametans, 140,000,000 Pagans, 455,000,000 600,000,000

"3. Among these 600,000,000 there are about 1,400 Protestant missionaries, independent of native catechists and schoolmasters, and including those of America, Great Britain, and the continent of Europe, or one missionary to every 428,571 persons.

"Reader, what influence should these facts have upon your mind? Let them lead to devout prayer and holy effort for the speedy conversion of the world."—Bible Class Magazine.

We clip the following from the Detroit Weekly Advocate, as the opinion of the worldly press on missions:

"OUR MISSIONARIES IN INDIA.—We suggest whether the very large amount contributed every year in the United States, to christianize the savages and heathen of other countries, is well spent, and whether it could not be more profitably disbursed in our own land in elevating, educating and christianizing the poor and ignorant among us. A large amount is yearly spent abroad, with very little results, in our judgment, except on paper. Missionaries, who have been abroad for a life-time, in many countries, can only boast of a few converts to Christianity, and those conversions are of a doubtful character. "Since the war commenced in India, some fifteen missionaries have been killed, (four American Presbyterians,) but none on the ground of their being Christian teachers, only as foreigners. Nearly $400,000 worth of missionary property has been destroyed, $130,000 of it belonging to the American Presbyterian Mission. The population of Hindoostan is 200,000,000.

"When Mr. and Mrs. Freeman, the American missionaries butchered at Delhi, were taken out for execution, they waded ankle deep in the blood of the victims who had perished before them, and near the guillotine, where they were beheaded, lay hundreds of human bodies almost covered with blood."

1 Thess. v, 3. For when they (the people) shall say peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them . . . and they shall not escape.

The false revivals now in the land will no doubt prepare the way for the peace and safety cry. Destruction is near, no doubt. Let us be ready. Awake! Awake!